RESTRICTED
P/w
031221
MDHIAN 3255
1122
RESTRICTED
FM COPENHAGEN
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 60
OF 111205Z FEBRUARY 91
AND TO IMMEDIATE MODUK
SIC 19M
MY TELNO 56 : GULF BURDEN SHARING: DANISH CONTRIBUTION
SUMMARY
1. DANES STUDYING OUR LIST OF REQUIREMENTS. NEED TO FEED IN ANY FURTHER IDEAS QUICKLY.
DETAIL
2. WE RECEIVED FROM THE EMERGENCY UNIT ON 8 FEBRUARY A LIST OF MOD'S TOP PRIORITIES AND WE WERE ABLE TO PASS THESE ON TO THE DANES BEFORE THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER ATTENDED A MEETING OF THE FOREIGN POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE FOLKETING THAT DAY. THE PRIORITY ITEMS WERE : HERCULES C130S, PAYMENT FOR DANISH RORO SHIPS ALREADY IN THE GULF, A WIDE-BODIED JET FOR THE TRANSPORTATION MAINLY OF FREIGHT AND POSSIBLY FOR PASSENGERS AND A MANNED AND FULLY EQUIPPED MEDIVAC AIRCRAFT. WE REMINDED THE DANES THAT A CASH CONTRIBUTION REMAINED OUR FIRST PREFERENCE.
3.
FOLLOWING THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE SPOKESMEN FOR MOST OF THE NON-SOCIALIST PARTIES SPOKE VERY POSITIVELY OF THE NEED TO ASSIT BRITAIN. SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO ARGUE THAT DANISH ASSISTANCE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE CONFINED TO THE HUMANITARIAN SIDE. THE FOREIGN MINISTER HAS UNDERTAKEN TO RETURN TO THE COMMITTEE WHEN OUR IDEAS HAVE BEEN FULLY IDENTIFIED.
4.
DANISH MINISTRIES ARE NOW STUDYING THE PRACTICALITIES OF OUR REQUESTS. WE HAVE TOLD THEM THAT OTHERS MAY BE ON THEIR WAY. THEY ASK THAT THESE REACH THEM QUICKLY SO THAT WHEN THE FOREIGN MINSTER RETURNS TO THE FOLKETING HE CAN GIVE PARLIAMENTARIANS THE FULL PICTURE OF OUR REQUESTS. THE POLITICAL DIRECTOR HAS TOLD ME THAT HE IS HOPEFUL DENMARK WILL AGREE TO OUR TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS BUT IS ONLY FULLY CONFIDENT ON THE MEDICAL/HUMANITIARIAN SIDE.
5. OVER THE WEEKEND BOTH THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN MINISTER
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