APRIL 25-26 GAERC: FINLAND'S RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 000475

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015
TAGS: PREL KPAL EAIR XF IZ SU LE CG ZI RS FI EUN EU GAERC
SUBJECT: APRIL 25-26 GAERC: FINLAND'S RESPONSE

REF: STATE 72185

Classified By: Ambassador Earle I. Mack, per Sections 1.4(B) and (D)


1. (C) On April 22 we met with Jarno Syrjala, Finnish MFA's
new European Correspondent, to review the agenda for the
April GAERC meeting (Reftel). Finnish views follow, by
subject. See below for bio information on Syrjala, who has
just taken over this position.


2. (C) Iraq: Syrjala said he expected the conclusions on Iraq
to be "routine"; the GoF believes a more consequential
discussion will take place in the May GAERC.


3. (C) Middle East Peace Process: Syrjala predicted that the
Ministers' statement will welcome the appointment of James
Wolfensohn as Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement. He
expressed some concern over the latest developments in
Israeli settlement policy, particularly the construction of
new West Bank housing units. The Finns assume that the
announcement of this construction was withheld until after PM
Sharon's latest meeting with the President so that it would
not spark contention at the meeting; they also assume the new
construction decision is dictated by Sharon's domestic
political need to "balance" the Gaza withdrawal. But during
FM Tuomioja's recent visit to the region, accompanied by
Syrjala, the Finns "got a strong feeling from the
Palestinians, and also some unofficial Israelis" that they
fear an "Intifada III" -- one that focuses on the West Bank
and Jerusalem in particular -- could be sparked by GoI
settlement action.


4. (C) Lebanon: Syrjala said it would be ideal for the
elections to happen before the end of May, and the Finns are
encouraging the Lebanese to hold to the schedule. That
doesn't leave much time, however, and he felt that a "brief
delay shouldn't bother the U.S. or the EU." He said the GoF
has had some contact with the Lebanese government regarding
election monitors, which the Finns are ready to provide upon
Lebanon's request.


5. (C) Sudan: The Finns expect that the Ministerial
discussion will be a largely technical one, concentrating on
the details of sanctions implementation. In a separate
conversation April 21, MFA Director General for Africa and
the Middle East Aapo Polho told us the GoF is very pleased
with the results of the Oslo meeting, especially the extent
of aid pledged. Polho said Oslo has demonstrated that the
international community is able to take action on Darfur
without losing sight of what has been achieved in bringing
peace to the north-south conflict.


6. (C) Zimbabwe: Regarding the election, Syrjala said that
"our opinion is perhaps not so strongly worded as yours," but
the GoF certainly agrees with the USG assessment of the
status of democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. He
believes Ministers will conclude that there is no
justification for changing EU policy with regard to Zimbabwe.
Certainly the Finns do not support expanding contacts with
Mugabe.


7. (C) Great Lakes: It seems that the U.S. and EU are in
close agreement, said Syrjala. The Ministers are likely to
report some very general conclusions, calling on the
international community to remain united in pursuit of free
elections, disarmament of rebels, and reform of the security
sector.


8. (SBU) Tsunami follow-up: Syrjala said the Ministers will
review several documents -- two from the Commission and one
from Solana -- regarding the Indian Ocean tragedy and lessons
learned regarding civil crisis management. The GoF believes
the documents and discussion would remain just as valuable if
the word "tsunami" were dropped, since the issue is how to
prepare different sectors and ministries to cooperate to meet
a civil crisis of any kind.


9. (C) EU/Russia: The Ministers will review preparations for
the upcoming summit. As to substance, there are two issues
that particularly matter to the Finns:

-- Russia is collecting "quite substantial" fees from
commercial airlines that overfly Siberia en route to Asia.
Shifting to a southern route, however, would cost even more,
so the GoF is hoping for united EU pressure on the Russians
to reduce the fees.

-- The Finns also are anxious to see a visa facilitation
agreement signed between the EU and Russia. Current Russian
visa policy can vary from EU member to member, and is a
function of the bilateral relationship with each country.

Bio Note
--------------

10. (C) A number of Department bureaus will be familiar with
Jarno Syrjala, who was Political Counselor at the Finnish
Embassy in Washington 2000-2003. Two years ago he returned
to Helsinki to be the MFA's "Regional Manager" for Israel,
the PA, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Middle East Peace
Process. It seemed to us at the time that in career terms
this position was basically a lateral move. With his new
job, he seems to have resumed his rise through the MFA ranks.
Syrjala tells us he did not bid on the job when it came
open, but was asked to take it by "the Political Department
and the Minister's staff" -- which we interpret as meaning FM
Tuomioja and Political Director Pilvi-Sisko
Vierros-Villeneuve.


11. (C) Syrjala has been an excellent contact and a close
friend of the United States, although he has not always
agreed with us -- especially on Middle East policy, his
strong support for the road map notwithstanding. Before his
Washington tour, Syrjala was GoF representative to the
Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, operating out of East
Jerusalem. In his new position he is likely to retain his
passionate interest in the Peace Process. In informing us of
Syrjala's new appointment, Vierros-Villeneuve said that it
was done with Finland's upcoming (July-December 2006) EU
presidency very much in mind. Syrjala is well aware of the
significance of that. The Finns see these presidencies as a
rare opportunity for the small EU nations to make a
difference, and want to make the most of the opportunity.
Moreover, if the Constitution Treaty takes effect in November
2006 as scheduled (admittedly a big "if"),Finland will
preside over the European Union's shift to its new structure.
And finally, there is a growing sense in the GoF that the
Finns may inherit several major unresolved issues. Syrjala
told us that for FSOs of his generation, this EU presidency
could be the pivotal event of their careers.
MACK