VZCZCXRO8652
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHCP #1389 2861019
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 131019Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2876
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 001389 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EU DA
SUBJECT: DENMARK ON UPCOMING GAERC 
 
REF: SECSTATE 170214 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: Danish MFA European Correspondent Michael 
Bach Petersen told us October 13 that next week's GAERC will 
seek conclusions on Sudan, the Western Balkans, the Middle 
East, Iran, Georgia, and North Korea.  Petersen pointed to 
emerging EU splits on Sudan, Kosovo and Zimbabwe that could 
manifest themselves in ministers' discussions, while noting 
that deliberations on Iran and North Korea will be driven by 
ongoing Security Council negotiations.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (C) Sudan:  Petersen said the EU consensus for now still 
favored "quiet diplomacy."  Denmark wants to see continued 
pressure on Bashir to accept a UN force, but Copenhagen also 
increasingly senses a desire on the part of some member 
states for a "pragmatic" approach to UNSCR 1706.  According 
to Petersen's understanding, this might involve an "AMIS 
plus" type force along the lines of that recently constituted 
for Lebanon, where some governments wanted a brand new 
monitoring force but in the end settled for "UNIFIL plus." 
Petersen stressed that Denmark, both within the EU and as a 
current UNSC member, continues to support and advocate for 
full implementation of 1706, including the transition from 
the AU force to a robust UN peacekeeping force. 
 
¶3. (C) Zimbabwe:  Petersen also referred to emerging division 
within the EU on Zimbabwe.  Some member states are 
increasingly dissatisfied with the EU's refusal to speak to 
Zimbabwe, which they complain limits the EU's Africa Dialogue 
to Troika consultations rather than full summits with all 
representatives present.  Southern EU members (including 
France), according to Petersen, want a broader engagement in 
the Africa Dialogue on immigration from North Africa, and 
claim that the more limited Troika format prevents this 
discussion.  Denmark is standing with those, including the 
UK, who wish to keep Zimbabwe away from the EU-Africa 
Dialogue, but Petersen noted this GAERC should give an 
indication of whether or not the EU intends to maintain the 
status quo. 
 
¶4. (C) Western Balkans:  Petersen remarked that member state 
debate is intensifying as the "hour of truth" in Kosovo 
approaches.  Spain, Petersen claimed, is resisting an imposed 
solution on Serbia, afraid of the precedent it might set for 
the Basques.  Others, Petersen continued, are wondering 
whether Ahtisaari should not be given "additional time" to 
reach a solution, especially given proposed December 
elections in Belgrade.  Denmark fully supports Ahtisaari and 
sees no reason to drag out his mission, since Belgrade would 
be unlikely to use the extra time constructively, Petersen 
said. 
 
¶5. (C) Middle East/Iran:  Petersen said Denmark sees little 
movement on most Middle East issues and added that ministers' 
discussions on the Middle East and Iran would likely be 
driven by reports due out early next week.  The head of 
Solana's policy unit, Helga Schmidt, was still in Lebanon 
trying to wrap up discussions there on implementation of 
UNSCR 1701 and seeing where the EU might be able to offer 
additional help.  On Iran, Denmark continues to favor a tough 
response to Tehran's nuclear program, but one that keeps the 
Security Council united. 
 
¶6. (C) Georgia:  Petersen said that ministers will call on 
both Georgia and Russia to exercise restraint.  Again, here, 
too, there are differences of style and emphasis, with EU 
member states neighboring Russia naturally favoring a tougher 
line toward Moscow.  Denmark considers Russia's recent 
actions in Georgia "very serious" and "disproportionate." 
 
¶7. (C) North Korea:  Petersen acknowledged that GAERC 
consideration of North Korea will be informed by ongoing 
discussions in New York.  Petersen here, too, stressed that 
Denmark wants to see a united Security Council take strong 
action, adding that Denmark and the EU will want to continue 
humanitarian assistance for the North Korean people. 
CAIN