VZCZCXRO6604
OO RUEHHM RUEHPB
DE RUEHCP #0339/01 1631128
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 111128Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4309
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 3855
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 1399
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 5519
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2559
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK 0447
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 8953
RHMFISS/12SWS THULE AB GL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COPENHAGEN 000339 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV KGHG DA
SUBJECT: DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH GREENLANDIC 
PREMIER ENOKSEN 
 
Classified By: Regional Environmental Officer Erik Hall. 
For reasons 1.4 (b&d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary:  In a respectful but serious bilateral 
meeting following the Arctic Ocean Conference in Ilulissat, 
Greenland, Greenland Home Rule (GHR) Premier Hans Enoksen 
expressed concern to Deputy Secretary Negroponte about the 
U.S. listing of the polar bear as a threatened species.  The 
Greenlanders emphasized the negative effects of the ruling on 
Greenlandic traditional culture, which shares with Inuit 
cultures throughout the Arctic a respect for nature and 
sustainable harvests of native wildlife.  The Deputy 
Secretary explained that the decision had already been taken, 
and had been entirely science-based, under U.S. law.  He 
suggested that U.S. scientists share their evaluation of 
world polar bear populations with Greenlandic scientists. 
OES A/S McMurray explained that the decision would not affect 
Greenland, since it does not export polar bear products to 
the United States or conduct commercial hunting.  The 
Greenlanders emphasized their disagreement with the listing 
nevertheless, but welcomed the opportunity to exchange 
scientific information.  They also expressed appreciation for 
U.S. engagement with Greenland under the 
U.S.-Denmark-Greenland Joint Committee.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Background:  The May 28 meeting, after the 
conclusion of the Arctic Ocean Conference in Ilulissat, 
Greenland, came at Greenland's request.  The Deputy Secretary 
was accompanied in this meeting by Ambassador Cain, OES A/S 
McMurray, Department Legal Advisor Bellinger, D Special 
Assistant Wittenstein, and REO Hall (note-taker).  Premier 
Enoksen was accompanied by Finance and Foreign Minister Aleqa 
Hammond; Deputy FM Inuteq Holm Olsen; Mikaela Engell, Danish 
MFA Deputy Head of Department; and an interpreter. 
 
 Polar Bear Listing 
------------------ 
 
¶3.  (C) After expressing appreciation for improved relations 
with the U.S. over the past few years, Premier Enoksen said 
he hoped that relationship would continue to improve. 
Nevertheless, Enoksen said the GHR government disagreed with 
the recent U.S. decision to list polar bears as a threatened 
species.  Enoksen emphasized he intended to share this 
concern "in a friendly manner" and "without an aggressive 
tone in disagreement."  Polar bears are a part of Greenlandic 
culture, he said, and "we make our living with whales, seals, 
polar bear, and they are crucial to us."  A strict quota of 
130 polar bears per year is imposed on Greenlandic hunters, 
who are concentrated in isolated indigenous communities which 
use the meat for their own subsistence.  No bears with cubs 
can be killed.  Other quotas exist on the beluga and narwhal 
whales, as well as birds.  Hunters complain the bear quota is 
too low, he said.  A growing population of well-fed bears are 
visiting our towns, he added. 
 
¶4.  (C) The Deputy Secretary told Enoksen that Secretary of 
the Interior Kempthorne had based his decision strictly on 
scientific evidence, and the decision was certainly not 
intended to complicate U.S. relations with Greenland.  A/S 
McMurray explained that under U.S. law, the decision was 
based exclusively on an evaluation of scientific evidence. 
Before making the decision, Sec. Kempthorne had convened a 
meeting of polar bear range states, including scientists from 
Greenland.  Greenlandic subsistence hunting should not be 
directly affected by the listing, since Greenlandic polar 
bear products are not exported to the United States.  She 
suggested scientific cooperation to study the polar bear 
population in Greenland.  The Deputy Secretary asked the 
Premier what he would do in our position, with scientific 
evidence that the polar bear population is endangered 
worldwide.  Enoksen recommended a strict management regime, 
saying that Greenlanders have hunted the bear for thousands 
of years, and wants to ensure their survival for generations 
to come. 
 
¶5.  (C) FM Hammond expressed great respect for scientific 
evidence, and said Greenlandic biologists from the Institute 
of Natural Resources did not consider the bear to be 
endangered but growing in population.  She said it was 
important to keep in mind the human dimension.  Polar bear 
meat is crucial to some isolated Greenlandic communities, 
 
COPENHAGEN 00000339  002 OF 002 
 
 
where alternatives do not exist. 
 
¶6.  (C) The Deputy Secretary suggested that it might be 
useful for Greenlandic and U.S. scientists to share their 
data, to increase understanding for the basis of the U.S. 
decision.  FM Hammond welcomed dialogue with the U.S.; she 
also noted that the U.S. decision was featured prominently in 
the Greenlandic press.  The Deputy Secretary affirmed that 
the U.S. decision had already been made, but expressed a 
willingness to manage the issue to increase understanding, in 
a spirit of friendship. 
 
Appreciation for U.S. Engagement with Greenland 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶7.  (C) Enoksen thanked the Deputy Secretary for listening to 
Greenland's concerns, and expressed appreciation for the 
recent meeting of the U.S.-Denmark-Greenland Joint Committee 
in Washington.  He expressed gratitude to Ambassador Cain for 
"his efforts as a fantastic facilitator and door opener for 
Greenland."  The Deputy Secretary concluded the meeting 
saying the U.S. would "keep looking for ways to deepen the 
(bilateral) relationship." 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Greenlandic concerns regarding the polar bear were 
clearly rooted in domestic debate caused by press coverage of 
the recent U.S. announcement.  It also reflected Greenlandic 
concern over what is sometimes perceived as a lack of concern 
for indigenous communities, traditions.  Greenlanders 
believe indigenous hunting practices have been and still are 
sustainable, and contrast their approach to that of larger 
industrial nations that have hunted some species of whale, 
for example, to near-extinction.  Greenlanders reject 
decisions they perceive as stigmatizing traditional 
indigenous culture, and complain that decisions on marine 
mammal management are sometimes taken without what they feel 
to be adequate consultation.  Greenland's unease may also be 
reflected in the narrative here that Canada came to a 
different conclusion on the polar bear after taking 
indigenous concerns into account. 
 
¶9.  (U) The Deputy Secretary's party reviewed this cable. 
CAIN