FINLAND: 2005 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HELSINKI 001321 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT RHONDA SHORE AND ED SALAZAR, AND NCTC WASHINGTON DC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: 2005 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT REF: STATE 193439 ¶1. (U) This report is keyed to the applicable questions in reftel paragraphs 7-10. Post's summary update has also been emailed to Rhonda Shore and Ed Salazar per reftel instructions. Embassy POC for the report is Poloff David Schlaefer (SchlaeferDA2@state.gov). ¶2. (U) General Assessment (paragraph 7) Overall Response and Cooperation with Multilateral Fora: -- Finland actively supports and participates in the European Union's counterterrorism efforts, and in 2005 participated in a number of EU and OSCE-sponsored events. Interior Minister Rajamaki visited Washington in September for consultations with Justice and Homeland Security officials. Marja Lehto, Director of International Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was appointed to chair the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on Terrorism (CODEXTER); she will assume the chairmanship in January ¶2006. Dr. Martin Scheinin, Director of the Abo Institute for Peace Studies, was appointed UN Special Rapporteur for the Promotion of Human Rights While Countering Terrorism in July. -- Finland remains strongly committed to Afghan reconstruction and prevention of the resurgence of the Taliban. Afghanistan is a major recipient of Finnish foreign assistance; Finland aims to provide 10 million Euros in development and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on an annual basis. Approximately 100 Finnish troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan in support of ongoing ISAF operations, and a number of Finnish civilian crisis management experts are working in Afghanistan as well. Finland is a member, along with the UK, Norway, and Iceland, of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Meymaneh in northern Afghanistan and plans to join a second PRT in 2006. -- Finland agreed in 2005 to a U.S. request to extend its ten police trainers in Amman through 2006. -- In 2005, Parliament passed a law that expanded the authority of the Frontier Guard to cover the entire country instead of just the borders, enhancing their counterterrorism capabilities and overrall effectiveness. -- In 2005, Parliament passed a law allowing the Finnish Defense Forces to provide lethal assistance to the Finnish police in response to terrorist attacks. Until this change, the Defense Forces could provide only non-lethal aid, such as air traffic control assistance and the loan of armoured vehicles. -- Finland signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the U.S. in late 2004. The treaty is awaiting ratification by the Finnish Parliament. Some Members of Parliament have expressed hesitation about approving the MLAT out of concern that certain U.S. rendition practices might violate Finnish constitutional law. -- Finnish security police (SUPO) maintain a dedicated anti-terrorism unit. Finland has national authority to freeze terrorist assets. The Money Laundering Clearing House performs investigations on all individuals suspected of financing terrorist acts, including all individuals and entities on the UN 1267 sanctions committee's consolidated list. In the event that such assets are identified, they can be immediately frozen while a criminal investigation (either in Finland or abroad) takes place. Such funds would remain frozen throughout the investigation. -- Finland has implemented regulations that allow it to freeze assets without EU or UN approval in cases when another government presents a legal request for action or when the individual or organization is suspected of having committed an offense within Finland's borders. Finland has amended its criminal code to make it possible to sentence leaders of terrorist groups to 15 years in jail, although the group has to have actually committed acts of terrorism in Finland before investigation or prosecution can begin. If the charge also includes murder, the maximum sentence could be life imprisonment. Finnish law enforcement has the authority to intercept wire, oral, and email communications with prior approval in cases where national security interests are involved. SUPO is responsible for examining the evidence and determining when such measures are appropriate. An amendment expanding law enforcement electronic surveillance authority in counterterrorism cases went into effect in July 2005. -- Finland in 2005 implemented legislation in support of the International Maritime Organization's amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. New regulations entered into force on October 1, 2005 requiring ships to submit security-related information prior to entry into port. -- Finland supports the U.S. and the international community's efforts to combat extremism and terrorism. Finnish officials in 2005 condemned acts of terror such as the London bombings and Amman hotel bombing. However, some Finnish officials and a majority of the general public believe the likelihood of a terrorist attack inside Finland to be remote; in addition, a 2005 survey conducted by the Defense Ministry found that half of Finns believe that U.S. anti-terrorism policy has actually decreased Finnish security. -- Finnish officials have expressed concern about U.S. renditions in the EU. The GoF has asked for clarification about a 2003 flight that made a stopover in Helsinki on its way from Frankfurt to Stockholm. The Finnish media is critical of U.S. policy regarding renditions and detention of certain terror suspects. (questions a-e): Finland does not provide political, financial, military, or material support to terrorist organizations. Finland does not provide sanctuary to terrorists. Finland generally supports the U.S. position on matters relating to terrorism in the UNGA and other international bodies. ¶3. (U) Sanctuary Assessment (paragraph 8): -- Finland does not provide sanctuary to terrorists. Finland has a relatively small (20,000) Muslim population with few extremists. The GoF monitors individuals believed to have ties to terrorist organizations outside the country. (questions a-c): Not applicable. ¶4. (U) Information on Terrorist Groups (paragraph 9): There are no known terrorist groups inside Finland. (questions a-e): Not applicable. ¶5. (U) Foreign Government Cooperation (paragraph 10): -- The GoF cooperates effectively with the U.S. to combat terrorism, both within the EU and bilaterally. Interior Minister Rajamaki visited Washington in July for discussions with Justice and Homeland Security officials, and other Finnish officials participated in training courses in the U.S. Finland has announced plans to host a "Designators Workshop" in 2006 for U.S. and EU officials to exchange ideas on combating terrorist financing. The GoF has sought USG assistance in designing training courses for Finnish officials on better understanding the roots of Muslim extremism. ¶6. (U) Summary for Finland: Finland actively supports the Global War on Terrorism. Finland has implemented regulations that allow it to freeze assets without EU or UN approval in cases when another government presents a legal request for action or the individual or organization is suspected of having committed an offense within Finland's borders. Finland has also amended its criminal code to make it possible to sentence leaders of terrorist groups to 15 years in jail. If charges against suspected terrorists included murder, the maximum sentence could be life imprisonment. Finland expanded the operations of its dedicated anti-terrorism unit in 2005. On October 1, new regulations went into effect requiring ships to submit security-related information to Finnish authorities prior to entry into Finnish ports. Finland's Director of International Law at the Foreign Affairs Ministry was appointed to chair the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on Terrorism (CODEXTER). Finland remains committed to rebuilding Afghanistan and preventing the resurgence of the Taliban. Approximately 100 Finnish troops are deployed in Afghanistan in support of ongoing ISAF operations. Finland participates in the Norwegian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Meymaneh and plans to expand its participation into a second PRT in 2006. Afghanistan is a major recipient of Finland's foreign aid, which includes support for the Afghan army and police force. Finland maintains 10 instructors at the police training academy in Amman to help train Iraqi police. Finland is a party to all 12 international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism, and has implemented all applicable EU legislation against terrorism. HYATT