VZCZCXRO0679
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHCP #0383 1091435
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191435Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3411
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000383 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2017 
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EUN DA
SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS ON APRIL 23-24 EU GAERC MINISTERIAL 
 
REF: STATE 51262 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d 
 
¶1. (C) Post reviewed reftel demarche points April 19 with 
Danish MFA EU correspondent Nicolaj Hejberg Petersen, who 
offered a mixed outlook for shared U.S. and Danish objectives 
for the upcoming EU GAERC meeting.  Petersen suggested that 
his government had been pleasantly surprised by the 
apparently coordinated U.S.-UK drive for sanctions on Sudan, 
and reported that Denmark agrees on the need to ratchet up 
the pressure on Bashir.  Danish FM Per Stig Moeller is 
"totally in sanctions mode" on Sudan, Petersen remarked. 
Denmark may enjoy greater freedom of movement on the issue, 
Petersen suggested, now that Torben Brylle's appointment as 
EU special representative for Sudan has been secured. 
Petersen reported that he had been in close touch with his 
British counterpart and that prospects look good for helpful 
language on Sudan sanctions in the GAERC conclusions. 
 
¶2. (C) The situation is less bright with respect to the EU's 
position on Kosovo, Petersen observed, as continuing internal 
divisions have prompted the German presidency to take the 
Western Balkans off the GAERC agenda entirely.  Berlin 
doesn't want a repeat of the negative discussion at the 
Bremen Gymnich, Petersen said.  Slovakia remains the 
principal culprit in blocking EU backing for the Ahtisaari 
plan, he reported, but cautioned that the Slovaks are not 
alone on this.  Petersen said that the Slovaks have signaled 
privately that they are prepared to vote "with the EU" for 
the plan in the Security Council, but acknowledged that this 
does the EU little good in the run-up to the vote, leaving 
the European Union without a clear and strong position. 
 
¶3. (C) Denmark supports the U.S. position on the Middle East 
peace process, Petersen said, reporting that Denmark had 
insisted on reference to the Roadmap in the draft GAERC 
conclusions.  The Danish government agrees also on the need 
to hold the line on contact with Hamas cabinet members, even 
as some EU colleagues speculate about options for contact 
with Hamas ministers who accept Quartet principles (which 
Petersen dismissed as -- for now -- unlikely in the extreme). 
 On financing, Petersen stated that the Palestinian 
government is not yet ready to receive direct support. 
 
¶4. (C) Denmark agrees completely on Iran, Petersen said; the 
Danish government had fought to make the EU's Common Position 
as broad as possible and is very pleased with the latest 
Security Council resolution.  The Danes share our concerns 
about the weakness of the Lebanese government and the 
possible re-arming of Hizballah.  The recent extension of the 
Danish naval contribution to UNIFIL should be seen as a sign 
of political support for the Lebanese government, Petersen 
noted.  He observed that the deteriorating human rights 
situation in Zimbabwe presents a problem for the Portuguese, 
who are pressing for an EU-African summit by the end of the 
year and must manage the issue of Mugabe's invitation. 
 
¶5. (C) The Danish government supports the draft text on 
economic cooperation for the U.S.-EU Summit, Petersen said, 
even as it would have preferred a more ambitious approach. 
The Danes are pleased with the level of detail on regulatory 
cooperation, he said, and welcome the establishment of a 
Transatlantic Economic Council.  The draft on climate change 
is much too weak in Denmark's view, Petersen remarked, 
arguing that it should set high goals for reducing emissions 
and should focus more on renewable energy sources, such as 
wind and solar power.  Finally, Petersen stated that Denmark 
would prefer a much shorter, more focused summit declaration 
on political and security issues, commenting that the current 
draft has been loaded up with so many items that it now lacks 
any real impact. 
KAISER