VZCZCXRO0653
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHNY #0199/01 0851217
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 261217Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7452
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHSR/AMCONSUL STRASBOURG 0004

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OSLO 000199 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2019 
TAGS: PREL PHUM COE NO
SUBJECT: JAGLAND'S CANDIDACY FOR NEXT COE SECRETARY GENERAL 
 
REF: STRASBOURG 8 
 
OSLO 00000199  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Benson K. Whitney for reasons 1.4 (b,d) 
 
¶1. (C) Summary.  Thorbjorn Jagland is a leading Norwegian 
politician whose thoughtful comments often crystallize 
debates and support US positions.  While he was the subject 
of some controversy while he was Prime Minister, he is now a 
seasoned elder statesman who would be a strong candidate to 
head the Council of Europe and would be a strong US ally. 
Jagland is willing to stand up for his values and does so in 
a way that promotes healthy debate and progress. End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) Born November 5, 1950, Jagland is currently the 
President of the Storting (Parliament).  Previously, he 
served as Prime Minister of Norway (1996-1997) and Foreign 
Minister (2000-2001).  Within the Labor Party, he was both 
party secretary (1986-1992) and party leader (1992-2002).  He 
will be the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 2009. 
 
A Statesman Now ... but Past Controversy 
---------------------------------------- 
¶3. (C)  Although Jagland was a Labour Party leader for years, 
as Prime Minister he was widely criticized for poor cabinet 
choices that ended up resigning and questionable political 
tactics that led to the end of his government.  Perhaps more 
importantly in the age of the internet, he also well known 
for a series of unfortunate comments and photos.  In a famous 
photo that an actress orchestrated, he is seen touching the 
chest of the (clothed) TV star.  This later led to charges of 
adultery against the star which were then dropped.  As 
Foreign Minister in 2001, he commented on national television 
about having to go around meeting "Bongo from the Congo," 
which also undermined his credibility. 
 
A Thoughtful Commentator Now 
---------------------------- 
¶4. (C)  In 2005, Jagland become President of the Norwegian 
Parliament.  In this role, he has proved himself a thoughtful 
politician who speaks his mind, often prompting national 
debates on key issue.  One observer said "Jagland looks for 
political answers with openness.  He doesn't think what 
should I feel about this in order to be politically correct 
or to toe the party line."  He is broadly seen as enriching 
the public debate in Norway. 
 
¶5. (SBU) He has spoken out frequently in the media over 
issues of interest to the US: 
--Afghanistan: Amid widespread debate over the failings of 
NATO in Afghanistan, Jagland warned that the West must not 
forget who the Taliban are and what they stand for. His 
statement that we must not accept the Taliban as a legitimate 
actor was the clearest explanation and defense of Norway's 
and NATO's involvement in Afghanistan given by any Norwegian 
official. 
--Gaza:  Jagland urged the international community to be more 
coordinated and for Hamas to recognize Israel with the 1967 
borders and Israel to accept Palestinian state following the 
same borders. 
--Financial Crisis: Jagland has warned against protectionism. 
--Blasphemy Law: Jagland strongly attacked his party's 
initial efforts to force through legislation to restrict 
freedom of expression, arguing it violated the UN Human 
Rights Convention and was more consistent with authoritarian 
regimes working actively for international laws against 
dishonoring religion following the Prophet Mohammed 
caricatures. 
--Durban Conference: Jagland advised the GON to boycott the 
conference or walk out if it continues in the direction of 
limiting human rights and freedom of expression. 
--Development Aid:  Jagland has slammed the Norwegian left 
for trying to save the world with billions in aid and high 
flown rhetoric.  Instead, they should work for greater 
international engagement, stepping out of an insular view. 
--Islam: Most recently, he questioned fellow Labour Party 
leaders focus on "radical" Islam, urging greater clarity in 
the terms used and warning against compressing the wearing of 
the hijab and terrorism into one term. 
 
¶6. (C)  In short, Jagland is willing to stand up for his 
values and does so in a way that promotes healthy debate and 
progress. 
 
Embassy Access and Assessment 
--------------------------- 
¶7.  (C)  Jagland has met regularly with us, pleased to 
consult and offer his opinion.  He regularly attends Embassy 
functions, including the Election Gala where he spoke warmly 
of US-Norwegian relations.  He comes across as gracious and 
elegant (very much at odds with the impression from his 
earlier days).  He was a strong ally on issues critical to 
the US such as the GON purchase of the JSF.  We believe him 
 
OSLO 00000199  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
to be a critical thinker who clearly recognizes the 
importance of the US, NATO and transatlantic ties. 
 
Pluses of a Norwegian Candidate 
------------------------------- 
¶8. (C)  Finally, we note that having a Norwegian head of the 
Council of Europe may offer some institutional pluses: 
--Norway has excellent relations with the U.S. but without 
baggage of former Warsaw Pact nations; 
--Norway has excellent relations with EU, but without being a 
member so less subject to EU pressure (note: Jagland himself 
strongly supports Norway joining the EU); 
--Norway has excellent relations with Russia while still 
being willing to raise Human Rights abuse and other matters 
with the GOR. 
 
Conclusion 
---------- 
¶9. (C)  In short, Embassy Oslo believes a Jagland term at the 
Council of Europe would be positive for the U.S. 
 
 
WHITNEY