OCTOBER GAERC - FINNISH PRESIDENCY VIEWS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 001042 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV UN EU YI SR BO MK SU CG IS LE IR, IZ, UP, KPAL, FI SUBJECT: OCTOBER GAERC - FINNISH PRESIDENCY VIEWS REF: STATE 170214 Classified By: POLCHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (U) PolChief met with Finnish EU Correspondent Jarno Syrjala Oct. 12 to discuss the October GAERC. Syrjala welcomed our demarche points and offered the following: SUDAN -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Syrjala highlighted the increasing urgency that the EU feels regarding the need for a transition from an AU mission to a more robust UN force in Darfur. The GAERC conclusions will reiterate that the EU and member states (the UK and the Netherlands, mainly) remain committed to funding AMIS until the end of the year. However, he said, without the UN re-hatting, EU funding will become increasingly difficult to secure after January 2007. ¶3. (C) Separately, Syrjala reported that the EU Troika met with the AU Executive Council in Brazzaville Oct. 10-11. Both EU and AU representatives specifically urged Sudanese FM Lam Akol to accept the UN re-hatting. Akol did not openly reject a UN mission at the plenary sessions, but the Sudanese apparently remained as intransigent and as "difficult to work with as ever" in private meetings, Syrjala said. BALKANS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On Kosovo, Syrjala noted that the GOF will press the GAERC to adopt a conclusion strongly supportive of UN Special Representative Matti Ahtisaari, in part as a response to the increasingly negative public comments Belgrade has made regarding Ahtisaari's efforts. In addition, the Troika is scheduled to meet PM Kostunica on the margins of the GAERC on Monday, before the GAERC holds formal discussions on Kosovo Tuesday. The Troika will re- emphasize the importance of a final status agreement by January, and the fact that the EU and the US remain united on this. Looking further down the road, the ministers will also discuss plans for a possible ESDP/policing mission, and Syrjala agreed fully with the need for close EU-NATO cooperation to ensure no security gaps. ¶5. (SBU) On Bosnia, Syrjala said that the GAERC conclusions would likely focus on supporting the election results and urging the rapid formation of a government. However, he added, some member states are becoming increasingly impatient with the pace of police, justice sector and other reforms in Bosnia and may press for a statement reflecting this frustration in any conclusion that refers to Bosnia's long-term EU perspectives. MIDDLE EAST/LEBANON -------------- ¶6. (C) FM Tuomioja will travel to the region for meetings with Abbas and with the Israelis Oct. 13-14. Tuomioja hopes to explore the possibility of Israel's releasing some funding for Palestinian Authority operations, using the EU's Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) to ensure that all funds stays well out of Hamas' hands. The EU believes this could serve as a way to strengthen Abbas while also easing the humanitarian situation, but Syrjala predicted that neither the GOI nor Abbas himself will be overly enthusiastic. Syrjala expressed full agreement with the US position regarding the Quartet principles as a prerequisite for any PA Unity Government, and lamented the fact that Abbas appears to have overestimated Hamas' willingness to behave responsibly in discussions aimed at a National Unity Government. ¶7. (SBU) On Lebanon, plans for possible EU border security initiatives both in Lebanon and in Syria remain stalled. The EU is closer to agreement on police and possible security sector reform (SSR) initiatives with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF),which would complement US assistance to the LAF, Syrjala said. Italy and others see a similar potential mission in Syria as a political test for the SARG -- that is, a chance for the Syrians to receive training from the Europeans and at the same time to show tangible support for UNSCR 1701. However, France remains staunchly opposed. Syrjala said that Solana will report on both iniatives, but at this point is not yet ready to make a HELSINKI 00001042 002 OF 002 strong pitch for moving either forward. KOREA -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Syrjala confirmed that North Korea has been added to the GAERC agenda, but did not view a formal conclusion as likely. France and the UK will have the lead at the UNSC, and all 25 member states support the US positions, including a Chapter VII resolution with sanctions, he said. WARE