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C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 131264 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/05/2018 
TAGS: OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL DA
SUBJECT: Secretary Rice's December 5, 2008 Meeting with 
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen 
 
Classified by:  Kenneth Merten, Deputy Executive 
Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(d) 
 
¶1.  (U)  Participants: 
 
U.S. 
The Secretary 
Ambassador James Cain 
A/S Sean McCormack, PA 
PDAS Marcie Ries, EUR 
Damon Wilson, NSC Staff 
John Rath (Embassy Note taker) 
 
Denmark 
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Prime Minister 
Kirsten Dybvad, Permanent Secretary of State 
Ulrik Federspiel, MFA Permanent Secretary 
Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to the U.S. 
Thomas Ahrenkiel, Under Secretary of State 
Kaspar Hoeg-Jensen, Head of PM Office 
Lisbet Zilmer-Johns, PM Chief Advisor 
Michael Ulveman, PM Press Advisor 
 
 
¶2.  (C) SUMMARY.  Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh 
Rasmussen told the Secretary that Denmark will continue 
to partner with the United States to promote freedom in 
Afghanistan.  The Secretary briefed on her recent trip 
to South Asia, stating that the success of our joint 
efforts in Afghanistan depends greatly on the results of 
our engagement with Pakistan's civilian government. 
Rasmussen recounted talks with African leaders on 
greater international community involvement to stabilize 
Somalia and halt a possible nexus between terrorists and 
pirates, and the Secretary floated the idea of Danish 
participation in a possible Somalia Contact Group of 
nations with maritime and other interests in the area. 
Declaring that the EU must break its dependence on 
imported oil, particularly Russian oil, Rasmussen 
detailed Danish efforts to broker a new EU energy policy 
approach.  While the Secretary expressed optimism about 
medium-term prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, she 
cautioned that any attempt to divide Syria from Iran 
should bear in mind that Syria is a tactical player. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------ 
Afghanistan and Pakistan 
------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (C) Rasmussen stated that the United States is a 
"permanent ally" because U.S.-Danish friendship is based 
on common values such as democracy and freedom, and 
Denmark will continue to partner with the United States 
to advance shared ideals in troubled places like 
Afghanistan.  He said the international community must 
not fail in Afghanistan and that Denmark believes 
Afghanistan needs more international troops and civilian 
assistance, adding that Denmark has increased its 
contribution of both in the past year.  Rasmussen said 
the allies should also do a better job of publicizing 
our accomplishments in improving the lives of Afghan 
citizens, and should do more to engage Pakistan to stop 
the cross-border movement of fighters. 
 
¶4.  (C) After offering condolences over the recent 
combat deaths of two Danish soldiers in Afghanistan, the 
Secretary observed that Afghanistan is one of the 
world's poorest nations and lacks natural resources and 
the institutions of a modern state.  Our common 
challenge is to help Afghans build an army and develop 
greater governmental capacity.  Another common challenge 
is to "get Pakistan right," since Pakistan's domestic 
terror problem and the cross-border situation have a 
major impact on Afghanistan.  Last week's attacks in 
Mumbai posed a threat to India-Pakistan relations, to 
Afghanistan, and to the viability of Pakistan's elected 
civilian government. 
 
¶5.  (C) In reply to the Prime Minister's questions about 
her trip to India and Pakistan, the Secretary stated 
that India does not want to take direct action against 
Pakistan, but Indian leaders are facing a great deal of 
public anger.  As for Pakistan, the Secretary said she 
had pressed Pakistan leaders privately to take 
significant action against terrorism such as arresting 
leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, closing terror training 
camps, and disclosing information about future planned 
attacks.  She said Pakistani officials initially 
characterized such groups and the Mumbai attackers as 
non-state actors and demanded proof of linkage.  The 
United States provided such proof and is waiting for 
Pakistan to take action. 
 
¶6.  (C) Rasmussen asked for an assessment of Pakistani 
government stability, and the Secretary replied that the 
civilian government has many problems but is not 
teetering.  Rather, its longer-term prospects depend on 
its ability to break with a decades-long policy of state 
support for terrorists.  She said the Pakistani army 
chief of staff told her the military would not intervene 
in politics.  In addition to getting a grip on domestic 
terrorism and the cross-border situation, Pakistan's 
leaders must also improve the economy.  Rasmussen asked 
if Denmark should increase its assistance to Pakistan. 
The Secretary stated that the United States was 
increasing its assistance, particularly in areas like 
education, and that the United States and the Friends of 
Pakistan should assuage the fears of Pakistan's elected 
leaders that the international community will abandon 
Pakistan as it has done in the past. 
 
------------------ 
Somalia and Piracy 
------------------ 
 
¶7.  (C) Rasmussen noted that he had met recently with 
Kenyan and Ethiopian leaders to discuss greater 
international community engagement in Somalia, a failed 
state that harbors terrorists and maritime pirates who 
may make common cause if the international community 
does not soon act.  He said African nations are willing 
to provide troops to an international peacekeeping 
operation in Somalia, preferably under a UNSC mandate. 
The Secretary replied that the United States also 
supports such a mission, but UNDPKO has so far been 
resistant.  She added that the Security Council will 
likely meet on December 16 to discuss Somalia and a 
resolution that would clearly spell out authority to 
arrest, try, and incarcerate pirates. 
 
¶8.  (C) The Secretary floated the idea of convening a 
meeting prior to the UNSC discussion among foreign 
ministers of a Contact Group of interested nations such 
as Canada, Saudi Arabia, and others to frame the issues 
for UNSC deliberation.  Rasmussen replied that the 
Contact Group idea was a good one and that Denmark was 
eager to resolve legal and jurisdictional questions 
regarding anti-piracy measures. 
 
------ 
Russia 
------ 
 
¶9.  (C) Rasmussen stated that Denmark had been prepared 
to support MAP status for Georgia and Ukraine at the 
Bucharest summit and still supports the long-term goal 
of their NATO membership.  Denmark will focus on 
practical steps to prepare the ground for membership in 
a way that preserves NATO unity and deprives Russia of 
an excuse for aggression.  The Secretary agreed that 
Russia sensed and sought to exploit division among NATO 
countries in August.  She stated that the best approach 
is to allow the Georgia and Ukraine commissions to go 
about their work and thus take pressure off NATO member 
heads of state and foreign ministers to declare 
positions on MAP status.  Russia gained nothing but 
isolation from its August aggression.  This, along with 
falling oil prices, has made Russia realize that it is 
not doing very well.  While the United Stastes, Denmark, 
and other allies should work together to reinforce this 
perception, we should also recognize that Russia will be 
trouble for a long time. 
 
¶10.  (C) Referring to Russia as a "peculiar democracy," 
Rasmussen agreed with the Secretary's assessment.  He 
said that Denmark seeks to persuade fellow EU members to 
stymie Russia's strategic goal of controlling the EU's 
energy supply.  Stating that the EU currently imports 80 
percent of its oil from Russia and other sources -- a 
percentage that will only increase in coming years -- 
Rasmussen said Denmark is making a major push for 
announcement of a new EU energy policy approach at next 
week's EU Summit.  The new policy approach will seek to 
reduce dependence on imported oil, and stress 
conservation and development of alternative energy 
sources.  He said such a policy statement would send a 
strong message to the rest of the world as Copenhagen 
prepares to host the COP-15 conference next December. 
 
----------- 
Middle East 
----------- 
 
¶11.  (C) Acknowledging that Israelis and Palestinians 
will not complete a comprehensive peace agreement this 
year, the Secretary expressed optimism that ongoing 
negotiations may produce good results in the medium 
term.  Abu Mazen has made progress in building up 
governmental and security capacity in the West Bank and, 
with the continuing support of Arab states, will likely 
defeat his Hamas rivals who are increasingly beset by 
internal divisions.  In reply to Rasmussen's query about 
the prospects for a split between Syria and Iran, the 
Secretary characterized Syria's government as a criminal 
regime that keeps open all options in order to remain in 
power.  While we can try to separate Syria from Iran, 
Syria has shown in Lebanon and elsewhere that it is a 
tactical rather than strategic player.  She stated that 
any attempt to engage Syria should not come at the 
expense of Lebanon or democratic Palestinian elements. 
 
RICE