VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCP #0778 1530953
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 020953Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2429
INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0057
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY 1086

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000778 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016 
TAGS: PREL MARR DA IZ
SUBJECT: DENMARK EXTENDS ITS IRAQ DEPLOYMENTS BY ONE YEAR 
 
 
Classified By: COUNSELOR FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 
BLAIR HALL, REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  With a one-year extension of its deployments 
in Iraq until at least July 2007, Denmark remains one of the 
USG's most stalwart partners in Iraq.  In addition to 
maintaining a battalion in southern Iraq, Denmark is boosting 
its generous reconstruction aid and offering to provide the 
UN Mission in Iraq with a dedicated aircraft in November. 
With the mainstream opposition demanding a Danish withdrawal 
this summer, Prime Minister Fogh Rasmussen's government 
secured the extension on narrow party lines.  Danish 
officials still underscore the need for continued good 
communication ("no surprises") with the U.S. and UK, 
particularly regarding conditions-based adjustments.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) The Danish Parliament passed on May 30 the government 
resolution to extend the mandate for deployment of over 500 
Danish troops in Iraq by twelve months until July 2007.  The 
resolution also included provisions for: 
--- USD 8.5 million in new money for reconstruction projects; 
--- continued support for the NATO Training Mission where 
Denmark has 21 trainers; and, 
--- an offer to provide a dedicated aircraft (a C-130J) to 
the UN Mission in Iraq for six months starting in November. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Contrary to previous votes on Denmark's commitment 
to stabilization and reconstruction in Iraq, the mainstream 
opposition parties voted against the measure.  The resolution 
passed by a narrow majority with the support of the ruling 
Liberal and Conservative parties and the Danish People,s 
Party (65 votes is favor, 53 against, and 61 members absent). 
 Defense Minister Sren Gade told DCM on May 31 that the 
opposition realized the call for withdrawal now did not 
resonate with voters, so in the end, did not turn the issue 
into the big parliamentary brawl the government had 
anticipated. 
 
¶4. (C) Looking ahead, Gade told the DCM that the government 
is already considering ways to build support for another 
extension.  He and other government parliamentarians believe 
support within the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party is 
"wobbly" and DPP leaders are particularly sensitive to any 
Iraqi government statements that Danish troops are not wanted 
or needed.  Gade would like to invite DPP leaders to travel 
to Iraq in the fall and invite Iraqi leaders to visit Denmark 
soon to talk about progress being made. 
 
¶5. (C) MFA Iraq Operations Officer Eva Leisner told visiting 
EUR/NB desk officer June 1 that the parliamentary resolution 
does not require parliamentary approval for adjustments 
downward.  The resolution notes that the Danish battalion in 
southern Iraq is likely to be reduced by 80 during an 
upcoming August rotation.  She thanked the USG for Deputy 
Advisor for Iraq Deutsch's two visits in the first six months 
of 2006 and urged that similar consultations take place as 
conditions evolve in Iraq.  "No surprises," Leisner said, 
remains the politically important mantra with close coalition 
partner Denmark. 
CAIN