

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09OSLO527, USNATO AMBASSADOR DAALDER'S MEETING WITH NORWEGIAN
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09OSLO527.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09OSLO527 | 2009-08-26 13:45 | 2011-05-12 13:30 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Oslo |
Appears in these articles: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight http://www.bbc.com/news/ http://www.greenpeace.org.uk |
VZCZCXRO1572
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHNY #0527/01 2381345
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 261345Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO RUEHNO/USNATO BRUSSELS BE IMMEDIATE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7737
INFO RUEHXP/ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0208
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW IMMEDIATE 4064
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK IMMEDIATE
RUEPGAA/US SURVEY DIV SHAPE BE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OSLO 000527
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS PARM RU NO
SUBJECT: USNATO AMBASSADOR DAALDER'S MEETING WITH NORWEGIAN
FOREIGN MINISTER STOERE
Classified By: CDA James Heg for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In discussions August 17 with visiting
USNATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder, Norway's Minister of Foreign
Affairs Jonas Gahr Stoere and MFA DG for North America and
Security Policy Steffen Kongstad said the GON would welcome a
new U.S. Missile Defense strategy that emphasized a
multilateral approach. They also noted the importance of
keeping the door open for discussions with Russia, while
developing a more unified NATO consensus through
working-level dialogue. On Norway's Core Initiative idea
regarding potential NATO exercises in Norway, Stoere
cautiously espoused a ""High North, low tension"" viewpoint,
based on what Norway sees as a comprehensive approach to
environmental, economic, and security challenges presented by
the melting Arctic ice. The Foreign Minister endorsed future
NATO exercises in the High North if they fell under the
rubric a new NATO Strategic Concept as detailed in the
September 2008 Norwegian Non-paper presented at NATO. (USNATO
Ambassador Daalder's discussions with the Deputy Defense
Minister are being reported septel.) End Summary.
Missile Defense - NATO context welcome
--------------------------------------
¶2. (C) USNATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder, accompanied by Charge
d'affaires Heg and pol-mil officer, met with FM Stoere, MFA
Director General Kongstad, and Norway's NATO Ambassador Kim
Traavik over dinner August 17 after a full day of meetings in
Oslo that included Ambassador Daalder's speech at the
Norwegian foreign policy institute NUPI on ""Resetting
NATO-Russia Relations."" FM Stoere welcomed a new,
multilateral discussion on Missile Defense (MD), saying that
MD can provide an increase in protection for geographical
areas only if it actually enhances security and does not
provoke an arms race. (Norway opposed the previous U.S.
administration's MD policy in the past.) He supported the
idea of a NATO-wide approach to MD policy, since in the 2005
- 2008 period it clearly became a ""bilateral and not a
NATO-based issue."" He also added that it would be important
to analyze Russia's reaction to the MD discussions, as
Moscow's reaction would likely signal behavior of NATO allies
in future discussions on MD within the Alliance. He
estimated that there is a careful balancing act that needs to
be achieved between informing Russia while ensuring it does
not determine the evolution of NATO MD policy. Stoere
believed it would likely take beyond December 2009 to reach a
consensus on MD, as the exact threat remains unclear.
However, he agreed with USNATO Amb. Daalder that action needs
to be taken soon to ensure sufficient time for systems to
become operative before Iran could pose a real threat to NATO
countries.
Uneasy NATO-Russia Relations
----------------------------
¶3. (C) Stoere referred to Russia's confrontational approach
at the NATO-Russia Council as ""ritualistic,"" with their
negative reactions to NATO issues embedded in their ""blood
and veins."" The NATO decision to close down the NATO-Russia
dialogue last August was, nevertheless, a ""bad decision"" in
Norway's view, and one which provided a hook for other
countries that would like to ensure that future discussions
on Russia issues do not move forward. Stoere said that,
despite Russia's inherent dislike of NATO, it is important to
keep this communication channel open, in particular if NATO
countries can develop a consensus-based approach on dealing
with Russia. Stoere recommended increasing working-level
contacts on Russia issues within NATO as a path to achieving
additional agreement on how to move forward. Stoere noted
that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov acts ""almost normal"" in
non-NATO fora, such as the Arctic Council and Barents
Council; he suggested that such fora could also provide an
opening for coping with Russia on several matters Norway sees
as areas for NATO concern in the Arctic High North. He noted
that Norway, although sometimes viewed as too soft in its
approach to Russia, is very firm on jurisdiction issues and
the future of Svalbard.
Strategic Concept: Way Forward on NATO Reform
---------------------------------------------
OSLO 00000527 002 OF 002
¶4. (C) Stoere expressed disappointment about the
Composition of the new Experts Group announced by NATO SYG
Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He thought Rasmussen would give
higher consideration to the NATO Nordic allies. He agreed
that there appears to be general uncertainty on how Strategic
Concept discussions will evolve, juggled between NATO
Director for Policy Planning Jamie Shea, the Experts Group,
and the NAC. The minister offered that Norway would seek to
host a Strategic Concept dialogue in the coming months, in
order to ensure Norwegian input into the discussion and to
supplement the Core Areas Initiative non-paper Norway
submitted to NATO in September 2008. Stoere emphasized that
as part of the Strategic Concept discussions, it is
critically important to ensure NATO's enlargement strategy is
re-defined to address the ""unfinished business in the
Balkans."" He expressed concern over the NATO SYG's apparent
lack of interest in addressing Balkan issues.
¶5. (C) FM Stoere concluded by emphasizing the importance of
developing a relevant, easy-to-read Strategic Concept that
would be within the public's grasp, in order to ensure
continued public support for NATO. He said it must reflect
contemporary challenges and demonstrate NATO is not only
about Russia, Iran, and terrorism. He cited as an example
the two and a half page document on the financial crisis
prepared by the London School of Economics for Queen
Elizabeth as an excellent example of how clear and concise
the new Strategic Concept needs to be.
NATO Exercises: ""High North, Low Tension""
----------------------------------------
¶6. (C) On potential NATO re-flagging of bilateral and
multilateral exercises in Norway, Stoere cautiously espoused
a ""High North, low tension"" viewpoint, based on what Norway
sees as a comprehensive approach to environmental, economic,
and security challenges presented by the melting Arctic ice.
He supported the idea of future, small-scale NATO exercises
in the High North, if they fell under the rubric of a new
NATO Strategic Concept as detailed in the September 2008
Norwegian Non-paper presented at NATO. Stoere particularly
emphasized the point that NATO should avoid ""unnecessarily
provoking"" the Russians.
¶7. (C) Stoere opined that Norway has a unique status as both
a NATO founding member country, on the one hand, and Russia's
neighbor, on the other, which provides Norway with insights
on new allies' perspectives. Norway feels a special kinship
with the Baltic states, he said, and shares their viewpoints
about containing Russia's potential threat to their
sovereignty. Stoere described how, during his March 2009
visit to Moscow, he thanked FM Lavrov for making it so much
easier for him to justify the Joint Strike Fighter purchase
to the Norwegian public, given Russia's regular military
flights up and down Norway's coast. In summing up Norway's
approach to Russia, Stoere offered that Norway remains
vigilant regarding the threat Russia poses, but added that he
is in favor of further analysis of the several challenges
with which Norway must grapple with due to the melting of
Arctic ice before endorsing large NATO military exercises in
the High North.
¶8. (C ) Comment: In separate discussions with Amb. Daalder
earlier the same day (reported septel), Deputy Defense
Minister Barth-Eide and MOD DG for Security Policy Svein
Efjestad shared similar concerns about potentially provoking
Russia, but had no hesitation in recommending NATO
re-flagging of existing training and exercises in the High
North in the near term. They were confident such exercises
could be presented as part of the normal, routine training
for NATO's defense of Article 5 guarantees throughout Europe.
HEG