NPT 2005 REVCON: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PD STRATEGY

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000224 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NP/MNA, USUN FOR POL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2015 TAGS: KPAO PARM KNNP FI NPT IAEA SUBJECT: NPT 2005 REVCON: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PD STRATEGY IN FINLAND REF: A. STATE 18228 ¶B. 04 HELSINKI 914 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL CHIEF DAVID ALLEN SCHLAEFER FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) ¶1. On February 7, the Embassy delivered the Ref A non-paper on the upcoming NPT RevCon to Laura Kansikas-Debraise, new director of the Finnish MFA's Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation Unit. In doing so we noted that a USG-GoF dialogue on RevCon issues already has started in New York; stressed that the U.S. wants to continue that dialogue in the months to come, including conversations here between Embassy Helsinki and the MFA; invited GoF comments on the non-paper and/or any of the issues it covers; and asked what Finland's objectives for the RevCon will be. Kansikas-Debraise thanks the U.S. for taking the initiative, gave the document a quick scan, and said she would like some time to digest it before responding. Embassy will seek a response from MFA as soon as possible; Washington will also recall that Ref B gave GoF's preliminary thoughts on the RevCon. ¶2. The Government of Finland agrees with us on the importance of universal implementation of the NPT but also wants the USG to abide by our obligations concerning disarmament. Public diplomacy outreach should focus on what the USG has done to reduce nuclear arms and counter disinformation about remaining stockpiles or new weapons programs; it should also stress the grave implications of a failure to disarm by Iran and North Korea. ¶3. We would recommend an op-ed (available to posts in the last week of April) signed by a senior USG official making these points, preferably targeted toward European posts. Our first priority would be placement in Finland's (and Scandinavia's) leading daily, 'Helsingin Sanomat,' or another major national newspaper. ¶4. A DVC with a senior official on disarmament and U.S. compliance would be useful on the eve of the NPT RevCon. The target audience would be journalists and commentators, and we would explore doing the DVC at the MFA press and information division to maximize exposure and permit GoF officials to attend. We will maximize our targeted distribution of the electronic journal on nuclear proliferation in March. ¶5. Should it be possible for a senior USG official to visit Finland before the RevCon, we would arrange interviews with major print and broadcast media. WEISBERG