FINLAND: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SYRIA-IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 001010 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA, EUR/NB E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2014 TAGS: PREL PTER SY FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER SECURITY REF: SECSTATE 166961 Classified By: ACTING POL CHIEF DAVID ALLEN SCHLAEFER FOR REASONS 1.4 ( B) and (D) (C) Poloff delivered reftel points to Finnish officials in the MFA's Unit for African and Middle-East Affairs on Aug. 3. The Finnish officials said that Finland's Ambassador to Syria was not currently in Damascus, and that the GoF has limited bilateral contact with the Syrian government. However, Finland intends to continue to work through the EU to encourage Syria to play a more helpful role in Iraqi stabilization. The Finnish officials also asked if the U.S. had approached Syria about contributing financially to the proposed UN protection force. MACK