FINLAND: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 000008

SIPDIS

STATE FOR S/CT AND TTIC, EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT

REF: STATE 245841


1. (U) This report is keyed to the applicable questions in
reftel para 15. The Embassy's summary update has also been
emailed to John Kincannon and Kiersten McCutchan per reftel
instructions.


2. (U) a) Finland actively supports and participates in
the European Union's counterterrorism efforts, and in 2004
participated in a number of EU and OSCE-sponsored events.

b) Finland is strongly committed to Afghan reconstruction
and prevention of the resurgence of the Taliban. Afghanistan
is a major recipient of Finland's foreign assistance; Finland
aims to disburse about 10 million Euros in development and
humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan each year.
Approximately 70 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 and Norway, of a Provincial Reconstruction Team
in Meymaneh in northern Afghanistan.

Ten Finnish instructors are currently at the police academy
in Amman training Iraqi police.

In December 2004, Finland signed a bilateral Extradition and
Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the United States,
bringing the Finnish-American relationship into conformity
with the EU-U.S. Mutual Legal assistance Treaty executed in

2003.

c) In January 2004, the Finnish Security Police dedicated a
special unit to concentrate solely on fighting terrorism, the
first of its kind in Finland. Finland in 2004 pledged 1
million Euros to help fund a UN Protection Force in Iraq.
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. To date
no Finns have been suspected of financing terrorism and no
funds of foreign nationals suspected of terrorist financing
have been located in Finland. In the event that funds are
found, the assets could be frozen without undue delay for
five business days. For the funds to remain frozen, a
criminal investigation must be launched (either in Finland
or abroad). The funds would remain frozen for the period of
the investigation.

e) 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 also
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 judicial approval in cases where national security
interests are involved. There is no special magistrate for
counterterrorism, and the source for such judicial approval
would depend upon the nature of the case.

h) Finnish Security Police in 2004 created a special unit
concentrating solely on fighting terrorism. Effective July
1, 2004, the Parliament of Finland enacted 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. Finnish authorities confirm that they are
complying on schedule with the legislation's requirements,
and that each of Finland's port facilities have submitted
security plans that have been approved by the Finnish
Maritime Administration.

j) Finland currently has about 70 troops inside Afghanistan
in support of ongoing ISAF operations.

l) Finland supports the Global War on Terrorism. However,
some Finnish officials and most of the general public believe
the likelihood of a terrorist attack inside Finland to be
remote.

o) Finland has a relatively small Muslim community. The
Government of Finland monitors some individuals believed to
have ties to terrorist organizations outside of the country.


3. (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, although the
group has to have actually committed acts of terrorism in
Finland before the investigation and prosecution can begin.
If the charge also includes murder, the maximum sentence
could be life imprisonment. In January 2004, the Finnish
Security Police also created a special unit concentrating
solely on fighting terrorism, the first of its kind in
Finland.

Finland is committed to rebuilding Afghanistan and preventing
the resurgence of the Taliban. Approximately 70 Finnish
troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan in support of
ongoing ISAF operations, and a number of Finnish civilian
crisis management experts are working inside Afghanistan as
well. Afghanistan is a major recipient of Finland's foreign
aid, which includes support for the Afghan army and police
force. Finland aims to disburse approximately 10 million
Euros in development and humanitarian assistance to
Afghanistan each year.

The Finns have ten instructors at the police training academy
in Amman to help train Iraqi police personnel. At the 2004
Doha donors' conference, Finland held one of the two chairs
set aside for small donors. Finland pledged 5 million Euros
in development and humanitarian assistance to Iraq, and a
further 1 million Euros to help funs a UN Protection Force
inside Iraq.

Finland is a party to all 12 international conventions and
protocols relating to terrorism, and has implemented all
applicable EU legislation against terrorism.
WEISBERG