FINLAND CONDEMNS IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S EXTREMISM

UNCLAS HELSINKI 001163

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM PGOV IR FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND CONDEMNS IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S EXTREMISM

REF: STATE 199225


1. (U) The GOF has roundly condemned Iranian President
Ahmadi-Nejad's October 25 call for Israel to be "wiped off
the map." On Oct. 27, Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja
released a public statement that expressed the GOF's "deep
disapproval of the Iranian president's comment;" emphasized
that "under no circumstances are threats of violence
acceptable;" and lamented the negative impact it will have on
relations between Iran and the EU. On Oct. 31, MFA State
Secretary (D equivalent) Arto Mansala called in Iranian

SIPDIS
Ambassador Javad Fini Oct. 31 to deliver an even more
strongly worded statement and to demand an explanation.


2. (SBU) MFA Regional Manager for the Middle East Leena
Pylvanainen told PolChief privately that Mansala's meeting
with Fini was brief and somewhat tense. The Iranian, she
said, was evasive, limiting himself largely to defending
Ahmadi-Nejad's comments and making "no reasonable
explanation" or apology for them. She added that the GOF
fully agrees with the substance of reftel's talking points
and that Mansala delivered an unmistakable message along
similar lines.
WERDERMAN