From: <a href="http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/wikileaksdokumenter/article3950253.ece">Aftenposten</a><br>
Date: 13.2.2009

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2/13/2009
14:49
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000116 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: 
DECL: 02/11/2019 
TAGS: PGOV, PINR, PREL, KPAL, IS, NO 
SUBJECT: PART III: NORWEGIAN FM STOERE: THE WORLD AT HIS FEET 
Classified By: DCM Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b,d)

1.(C)
Summary. Jonas Gahr Stoere has served as Foreign Minister in
the current Stoltenberg cabinet since its foundation in 2005.
Known as an ambitious, skilled networker, Stoere represents
the centrist-right wing of the Labor Party, and is very
popular across Norwegian society. The 49-year-old largely
determines the shape of Norway´s foreign and security policy,
towering over a weak MOD and leading a domestically-focused
Prime Minister. He has gained influence globally beyond
Norway´s relative importance. Bolstered by domestic support
and some notable international successes, Stoere believes he
is morally superior to and smarter than most, and feels that
he should have the ear of the Secretary of State. This
attitude, along with Stoere´s ceaseless attacks on the use of
force, promotion of dialogue at all costs, disarmament, and
independent peace-brokering, have at times created clashes
with U.S. policy. His support for some Hamas´ positions argues
for caution in dealing with him on the Middle East. However,
Stoere is an Atlanticist who places great value on a positive
relationship with (and recognition from)the U.S. End Summary.

Stepping Stones to Power 
-----------------------

2.(SBU)
Stoere grew up in an upper-class setting and reportedly
flirted with the center-right Hoyre Party before choosing to
work for the traditionally blue-collar Labor Party, a popular
move in social-democratic Norway. An internationalist who
received his education in Political Science in Paris and at
Harvard Law School, his first major international position was
as the World Health Organization´s Chief of Staff. This
position was followed by a year as Prime Minister Jens
Stoltenberg´s Chief of Staff from 2000 to 2001. Stoere
bolstered his credentials with the humanitarian community by
serving as the Norwegian Red Cross´ Secretary General from
2001 to 2005. After a heated run for the post, he was picked
as FM in PM Stoltenberg´s second government.

Dialogue at all Costs 
---------------------

3.(C)
Internationally, Stoere has received attention on several key
issues, illustrating his priorities and values. In 2007, he
was the first (ultimately only joined by Switzerland) Western
official to recognize the Hamas-led coalition government and
to provide aid to Hamas-controlled Ministries, urging other
countries to lift sanctions. Despite the failure of the Unity
Government, Stoere remains convinced of the rightness of his
approach and has recently called for Hamas as well as the
Palestinian Authority to be involved in talks on the future of
the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Many members of parliament,
including the President of the Storting (Labor) criticized
Stoere for acting unilaterally on Hamas. His willingness to
engage Hamas is not overlooked by the Israelis (with an Israel
Embassy official having prominently displayed photos on his
office wall of the MFA Vice Minister meetings with Hamas as an
ironic statement.) On the other hand, Stoere gets kudos from
the Israeli government for having productive meetings with
their new Ambassador and taking proactive steps to discipline
an MFA official who sent an anti-Semitic email.

4.(SBU)
Stoere also vocally promotes continued dialogue with Russia,
in NATO and outside. Proud of Norway´s history of peace and
constructive relationship with Russia in the Barents region,
Stoere actively pushes for continued dialogue with Russia,
even doing so shortly after the Georgia war.

Disarmament a Top Priority 
-------------------------

5.(SBU)
Reflecting his belief in disarmament, Stoere and Norway were
among the most skeptical NATO allies regarding missile defense
plans. Stoere only moderated his critical comments after a
meeting with Secretary Rice where she clearly and publicly
outlined her views. He did not choose to meet with General
Obering, then commander of the Missile Defense Agency, during
his visit to Oslo in May of 2008. When it became clear that
Norway stood alone in its willingness to veto the NATO missile
defense proposal, Stoere worked to ensure language that Norway
could approve, showing his understanding of NATO solidarity.

6.(SBU)
The Oslo Cluster Munitions treaty, signed in December 2008,
was a direct success for FM Stoere. Launching the initiative
in February of 2007, Stoere called for an international treaty
banning cluster munitions. In an impressive effort, his team
succeeded in drafting the treaty and attracting over 100
signatories, including the majority of NATO allies. U.S.
concerns over interoperability were dismissed as alarmist and
it took high-level USG intervention to ensure that the treaty
did not harm our ability to operate with NATO allies.

7. (SBU)
With the successful conclusion of the cluster munitions
treaty, Stoere´s next target is nuclear disarmament. Norway
has long supported the Non-Proliferation Treaty´s disarmament
aspects and was instrumental in the 2005 seven-nations´
initiative calling for increases in the size and speed of
disarmament activities. Norway hosted a nuclear disarmament
conference in Oslo in February 2008 and is actively pushing
for a renewed commitment to the NPT, test bans, and further
reductions in nuclear weapons, including eliminating NATO´s
nuclear weapons.

Afghanistan and NATO 
--------------------

8.(SBU)
Stoere has been a strong advocate of NATO´s engagement in
Afghanistan but has been critical of military aspects,
believing civilian aid is the key factor. His attitude
persists despite a dramatic trip to Afghanistan in January
2008 where he survived a terrorist attack on his hotel. The
Minister´s travel plans were announced in advance, and some
claim that this caused the Taliban´s timing of the attack.
Despite criticism from the media and some political rivals,
Stoere restated his emphasis on a civilian presence and helped
push the successful candidacy of Kai Eide to head UN efforts.
Stoere has backed up his position by ensuring that Afghanistan
remains the largest recipient of Norwegian aid, and by
continuing to support the Norwegian military presence in
Northern Afghanistan.

Not Known for Negotiating Ability, but Looking for a Role?
----------------------------------------------------------

9. (C)
Norway is involved in Sudan, Tibet, Somalia, the Philippines,
Colombia, Sri Lanka negotiations and peace promotion, but has
had no clear successes since the 1996 Guatemala peace accords.
Stoere himself has not participated in any peace negotiations,
leaving the work on Sri Lanka to his Development Minister
colleague. While smart and dynamic, some wonder if his
arrogance might not be off-putting in a negotiation setting.
It is worth noting that in a complicated division of
responsibilities with the Development Minister, Stoere has
retained control of development assistance in the Middle East
and Afghanistan, indicating that he may be looking for a
high-profile role in these two regions to try out his
negotiating skills and boost his image.

10.(SBU)
Stoere has clear ambitions for further high-office in Norway
or abroad. He has a secure place on the Labor Party´s
nomination list for the September 2009´s Parliamentary
Elections and will enter Parliament, running for office for
the first time. This is an opportunity to prove himself in
domestic politics and an apparent move towards party
leadership. Both pundits and the general public share a mutual
belief that the stage is set for Stoere to become the new
Labor party leader when Prime Minister and longtime friend
Jens Stoltenberg steps down. Other suggestions are a possible
career in the international arena, including Secretary General
of NATO or high-level U.N. roles. In either path, a success in
peacemaking would be a great plus.

Politician Turned Author 
------------------------
11.(SBU)
In the fall of 2008, Foreign Minister Stoere wrote (directly
or indirectly) two books. The first, "To Make a Difference,"
consists of a collection of essays reflecting on issues such
as the United States, the Middle East, international law,
Afghanistan, the High North (Arctic), health policy as well as
anecdotes from his meetings with political leaders (including
Ambassador Whitney and Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte).
The book has become a national bestseller, thanks in part to
the MFA buying a copy of the book for each employee.

12. (SBU)
Writing the book spurred public debate: Stoere was the first
Norwegian Foreign Minister since World War II to write a book
while in office. Stoere writes that Norway needs to dare to
test whether the established tenets of its foreign policy are
still valid, suggesting that Norway needs to further focus on
its own interests. Stoere devotes a chapter to the
transatlantic ties, viewing the relationship between Norway
and the U.S. as a dynamic and prosperous one, but with a few
noticeable bumps in the road in the past years.

13.(SBU)
Stoere also commissioned another book entitled, "Norwegian
Interests: Foreign Policy for a Globalized World." This was a
product of a year-long MFA project, defining the new
challenges of the 21st century and reassessing Norway´s
national interests. The book concluded by prioritizing
policies of particular interest to Norway as well as
encouraging more debate and dialogue with the world outside.

14. (C)
While many within MFA welcome the high profile the FM brings
to the Ministry through his books and presence, others
complain that he fails to listen and feels too superior--a
cardinal sin in Norway. Some felt the title of his book was
too Anglicized and the book itself self-promoting. They
interpreted the book as an appeal to a global audience
presumably in aid of obtaining a position outside Norway.

Comment 
-------

15. (C)
Norwegian public opinion lionizes FM Stoere, who is
consistently ranked as the most popular politician in Norway.
He has built a strong domestic support base that could carry
him into the PM´s office. He is a very intelligent, confident
and active foreign minister and firmly believes reports about
his growing influence and glowing future. Aside from some
self-examinations after the terrorist attack on his hotel in
Afghanistan, he has expressed no doubts about his policies or
decisions, including his failed gambit to "lead" the West
toward opening to Hamas after the foundation of the National
Unity Government. Even in areas where he has little experience
such as in direct peace negotiations, he clearly conveys his
belief that his superior skills would make him invaluable.

14. (C)
Skeptical about the use of force, and highly valuing dialogue
and disarmament, Stoere´s policies often clashed with those of
the Bush Administration, but he worked hard to ensure close
relations with Washington principals. He clearly appreciates
Norway´s close historical relationship with the U.S. and has a
clear-headed understanding of Norway´s reliance on the U.S. as
its ultimate security guarantee. He also understands that
tackling global problems closest to his heart (fighting
poverty, climate change, Middle East peace, etc) will require
cooperation with the U.S. He will remain an active and
persistent voice for attention from the U.S. and could be a
valuable ally in many international debates.

WHITNEY
WHITNEY
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