[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E660-E661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WELCOME TO DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER DR. PER STIG MOLLER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
welcoming to the United States and to the American Congress the Foreign 
Minister of Denmark, Dr. Per Stig Moller. Dr. Moller has served as his 
country's Foreign Minister since 2001. During his tenure, Denmark has 
shown strong support for the United States in the war against terrorism 
and has provided military forces to assist us in Afghanistan and Iraq. 
In a time of strained trans-Atlantic relations, the Danes have remained 
steadfast and unwavering supporters of the United States.
   Denmark has contributed one of the largest Special Forces 
contingents in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, as 
well as providing F-16 aircraft for use there. From the very beginning 
of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Denmark has been an active member of the 
coalition and has contributed combat forces including a submarine and a 
corvette, as well as a medical team. Denmark has shown its willingness 
to continue its support in Iraq with stabilization forces and financial 
and human support. To date, Denmark has appropriated more than 500 
million US Dollars for Operation Iraqi Freedom, including assistance 
for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. This represents a contribution 
of some 100 dollars per person, making Denmark the country that has 
contributed the most per capita except for the United States and the 
United Kingdom. At present, more than 500 Danish soldiers are daily 
risking their lives in Iraq.

[[Page E661]]

   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the American people, I want to express to 
the Danish people and the Danish government--and particularly to the 
families of those Danes who have made the ultimate sacrifice--our 
deepest gratitude for their assistance in the struggle in Iraq. Denmark 
has suffered both military and civilian deaths and casualties in Iraq.
   Mr. Speaker, Dr. Moller has played a critical role in Denmark's 
support of our efforts against terrorism since he became Denmark's 
Foreign Minister in 2001. In addition, he has demonstrated remarkable 
foreign policy leadership during the Danish Presidency of the European 
Union in 2002. Under Denmark's leadership of the EU, the historic 
expansion of the European Union was agreed upon. Under Dr. Moller's 
leadership Denmark has affirmed its commitment to the war on terrorism 
and he has been dedicated to seeking a comprehensive and lasting peace 
in the Middle East.
   Dr. Moller was born in Denmark in 1942. He received his MA in 
literature from the University of Copenhagen. In 1973, he received his 
PhD, and he is a highly respected intellectual. For many years he has 
been a widely read commentator in leading daily papers. For many years 
he was a member of the senior management of National Danish Radio, and 
he later became Chairman of the ``Radio Council,'' the Executive 
Program Board of National Danish Radio.
   Born into politics, Dr. Moller followed in the footsteps of both his 
father and mother, who were leading conservative politicians. He became 
a member of the Danish Parliament in 1984, and since that time, he has 
been a leading spokesman for his party, particularly on foreign affairs 
and human rights issues. For more than a decade, he was a member of the 
Council of Europe. In 1997, he became the chairman of his party. 
Previous to his appointment as Foreign Minister, he served as Minister 
of Environment, where carried out extensive environmental reforms.
   Mr. Speaker, Dr. Moller is the author of numerous books on a variety 
of themes--from the history of the Baltic Countries to environmental 
problems and the values of an ``open society.'' His book about Danish 
pastor Kaj Munk, who was a leading opponent of the German occupation of 
Denmark during World War II, became a national bestseller when it was 
published in 2000.
   The political and intellectual efforts of Dr. Moller have been 
recognized in numerous honors and awards that he has received. In 1997 
he was elected ``Politician of the Year'' in Denmark. He has received a 
series of prestigious Danish awards, including the ``Georg Brandes 
Prisen'' and ``Kaj Munk Prisen.'' Internationally, he has been 
recognized with numerous awards, including the Raoul Wallenberg Medal.
   Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I do not mention another facet of 
Denmark's efforts to improve relations with the United States--an 
effort in which the Danish Foreign Ministry has played an important 
role. Each year for the past several years, the Humanity in Action 
program has brought Danish students to the United States to serve as 
fellows in offices and committees of the United States House of 
Representatives, and a similar number of American students have gone to 
Denmark to learn first-hand about the Danish political system. Thus 
far, some 60 students have participated in this program. This exchange 
is an important element in strengthening the bonds of understanding 
between Danes and Americans of the next generation of political 
leaders.
   Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Friends of Denmark are hosting 
Foreign Minister Moller for his visit to Capitol Hill today. This 
Congressional member organization was established in 1999 to foster 
stronger relations with the government and people of Denmark. The 
Friends of Denmark include many members of this body who are of Danish 
heritage, who have Danish constituents, who seek to strengthen ties 
between our two countries and/or who admire the contributions of the 
Danish people and their government to international peace and security 
and respect for human rights. Mr. Speaker, urge my colleagues to join 
me today in welcoming and honouring Danish Foreign Minister Dr. Per 
Stig Moller on his visit to the United States Congress.

                          ____________________