U.S. CANDIDATE FOR ICAO SECRETARY GENERAL: FINLAND

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000125

SIPDIS

SENSTIVE

MONTREAL FOR USICAO (C SERWER)
USEU FOR FAA (P FELDMAN)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAIR AORC FI ICAO
SUBJECT: U.S. CANDIDATE FOR ICAO SECRETARY GENERAL: FINLAND
RECEPTIVE BUT NON-COMMITAL

REF: SECSTATE 15012


1. (U) Post discussed the reftel demarche with officials at
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish Civil
Aviation Administration (FCAA),and left behind relevant
biographic material on U.S. candidate for ICAO Secretary
General William Voss.


2. (SBU) Matti Tupamaki, who directs the Air Transport
Authority and international issues of the FCAA, was
reluctant to share his views or to commit support for the US
candidate. He responded that they had not yet made their
decision and added that they were unlikely to discuss their
position prior to the vote. Nevertheless, he said they were
"carefully considering it." He acknowledged that Mr. Voss
is "a very strong, qualified and experienced candidate."


3. (SBU) Tupamaki noted that he would forward this
information to their ICAO delegate in Montreal, Lars
Lovkvist. Note: Lovkvist is known to the Embassy and a
close friend of the US. He might be more forthcoming on the
Finnish position and more receptive to ours, if contacted by
our ICAO representation.

HYATT#