Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XXVII, Western Europe

271. Telegram From the Embassy in Sweden to the White House¹

Monto 7.

Stockholm, April 19, 1979, 0750Z

SUBJECT

• Visit to Denmark.² For the President from the Vice President.

1. In a marked change from public Danish disapproval of US policies during the Vietnam era, alluded to by Prime Minister Jorgenson in his April 18 dinner toast, the Danish Prime Minister and his government gave his full support to your policies on human rights, Southern Africa, SALT, a healthy NATO and detente.³

2. Jorgenson stressed the importance the Danish Government attaches to successful conclusion of SALT II saying Denmark would give its strong public support. The Danes with their complex 12-party coalition policies are still feeling their way toward a position on tactical nuclear forces. Essentially, they recognize the need for NATO TNF modernization while maintaining their longstanding position of no nuclear weapons on Danish soil in peacetime.

3. On the Middle East, the Prime Minister referred to his exchange of messages with you. We reviewed the Israeli–Egyptian treaty, its risks and opportunities; and the course we see for the West Bank/Gaza negotiations in the coming months. The Danes reaffirmed their support. They want to be helpful.

4. The Three Mile power plant accident is a subject of intense interest and concern in Denmark as elsewhere in Scandinavia. While the Danes have no power plant of their own—in part because they have not solved the problem of what to do with waste storage—they have been and continue to debate the pros and cons of nuclear power; and the Swedes have located one of their nuclear power plants immediately across the Oresund Strait from Copenhagen. I reviewed the steps you have taken since the accident. Jorgenson asked if Denmark might send specialists to the U.S. to gain more information about the accident from us. I told him that we would be pleased to make the arrangements for Danish specialists to come to the U.S. for this purpose and we would wish to give them all information possible.⁴

5. It is noteworthy that the Danes raised no bilateral issues. They see the bilateral relationship as excellent. They appreciate your administration’s understanding of the special interests they share with their Nordic partners, as well as with their partners in NATO and the EC. The Prime Minister several times during the course of my visit asked me to tell you how pleased he is with the policies you are pursuing.

6. Best regards. Fritz.

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, Box 122, White House In/Out, 3–4/79. Secret; Sensitive; Immediate. Sent via private channels.
2. Mondale visited Denmark from April 18 to 19.
3. Mondale met with Jorgenson and other Danish officials on April 18. (Telegram 2200 from Copenhagen, April 15; National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790174–0367) Telegram 1680 from Stockholm, April 18, provided another record of this meeting. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790183–0880)
4. Telegram 175236 to Copenhagen, July 7, reported: “We understand that the joint Danish/Swedish commission has had a successful visit to the United States. We wish to confirm that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will continue to keep Denmark informed of new developments in the investigation and its follow up, and is always pleased to exchange information on nuclear safety with Danish experts.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790308–0528)