S23B-04: IRANIAN RESEARCHER AND DUAL-USE RESEARCH

S E C R E T HELSINKI 000116 SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/CB E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2016 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC IR FI CBW SUBJECT: S23B-04: IRANIAN RESEARCHER AND DUAL-USE RESEARCH ASSISTANCE ON AG-CONTROLLED TOXINS - FINNISH RESPONSE REF: STATE 09468 Classified By: POL CHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.5 (B),(D) (S) On February 8, PolChief delivered subject demarche to Laura Kansikas-Debrais, Director of the Finnish MFA's Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation. Kansikas-Debrais said that the Iranian researcher in question has not sought to enter Finland or to approach Finnish scientists. She noted that Finland is deeply concerned about the volatile situation in Iran and that any approach from Iranian officials or scientists will "immediately raise red flags" within the array of concerned Finnish government agencies and treated with the utmost skepticism. She thanked us for delivering reftel information. HYATT