HIGHLIGHTS OF ADMIRAL COLLINS VISIT TO FINLAND,

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000355

SIPDIS

DHS FOR US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY DIRECTORATE
DHS FOR TSA-INTL AFFAIRS
ICE FOR FOREIGN OPS DIVISION
CBP FOR OIA-KTHOMSEN
DOT FOR MARAD

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PHSA EWWT SENV IMO FI
SUBJECT: HIGHLIGHTS OF ADMIRAL COLLINS VISIT TO FINLAND,
MARCH 28 - April 1, 2006


1. (U) Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast
Guard, visited Finland, March 28 - April 1, 2006. Finnish
Chief of the Border Guard, Vice Admiral Jaakko Smolander,
was the host of the visit. The Admiral's itinerary
included meetings with senior GoF officials, briefings by
the Finnish Border Guard (FBG),and visits to operational
units in Helsinki, on the Russian border and West coast.

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THE FINNISH APPROACH TO BORDER CONTROL
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2. (SBU) An introductory meeting at FBG headquarters on 28
March provided Admiral Collins and the Ambassador an
overview of Finnish border control threat perspectives and
strategy. From the Finnish perspective, the primary border
threat areas are the Mediterranean and, in the future, from
the Balkans. There is strong migrant pressure from North
Africa into Spain and the Canary Islands; and cocaine
smuggling from South America. Border security in southern
European countries is hindered by the absence of a coast
guard function; coastal security there is usually a
national police responsibility. FBG noted that illegal
migrants and criminals do not travel through Russia and
Belarus, since the route is longer and more dangerous.
Trafficking in persons (TIP) is a problem, but Finland is
primarily a transit country. The largest problem is
presented by people who apply for asylum and then
disappear. Admiral Collins noted that the USG is aware of
and commends Finland for its progress against TIP.


3. (SBU) Finland's four-tier approach to border security
consists of (1) posting consular and liaison officers in
other countries; notably, as of 1 April, one Border Guard
officer will be serving in the Finnish Embassy in Beijing;
(2) cooperating with neighboring countries' border, customs
and police; (3) conducting border and customs control
(border control consists of surveillance plus checks at
crossing points); (4) conducting domestic activities
pertaining to alien control.


4. (SBU) EU countries in the Schengen area have no
controls at internal borders, but border control remains a
national competence and responsibility. Admiral Collins
observed that this arrangement creates seams, making the EU
only as safe as its weakest link. Admiral Collins
questioned whether this arrangement was creating pressure
for more integrated solutions, such as a European Coast
Guard. Smolander said such a concept had been discussed,
but that the member states believe that border control is a
national responsibility and cannot be shared.


5. (SBU) During the briefing, FBG noted that the GoF
intends to propose a common EU border strategy calling for
increased transparency of the border through risk analysis
and inspections, interagency cooperation, joint resources
and readiness for operations, and improved liaison and
operations with neighboring and source countries.
Smolander said that Germany and the Netherlands would
probably support the proposal. Admiral Collins noted that
a common surveillance system is the key to transparency;
joint resources are best employed through deployable,
common units; and military-law enforcement cooperation is
essential.

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MEETING AT THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
--------------


6. (SBU) In a 29 March meeting with Finnish Minister of
the Interior, Kari Rajamaki, the Minister and the Admiral
discussed Finnish and U.S. threats and security
perspectives. (The Ambassador did not attend this
meeting). Minister Rajamaki said illegal immigration is an
increasing problem that is regarded as a human rights issue
within the EU; and trafficking in persons is a global crime
that has surpassed the illegal drug trade. Admiral Collins
said that immigration -- which is a major issue in the U.S.

-- is a complex, global issue; and that regional and
multilateral solutions are needed to help build glbal
understanding. The Admiral noted that accounability and
transparency are essential for security. For the maritime,the USG is seeking a strong audit mechanism -- such as what
currently exists for the aviation communty; as well as an
international system for Long Range Identification and
Tracking of vessels. Admiral Collins said that for the
U.S. 9/11 was a transformational event, that the USG cannot
approach security unilaterally -- regional and global
partnerships are essential. Rajamaki noted that the Madrid
bombing was a transformational event for Europe, and
affirmed that the GoF wants to be involved in strengthening
these international security ties.

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MEETING AT THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
(MINTC)
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7. (SBU) For Admiral Collins meeting at MINTC, Finnish
attendees included Juhani Korpela (Permanent Secretary,
MINTC),Silja Ruokala (International Affairs, MINTC),Rauli
Parmes (Security, MINTC),Jari Gron (Logistics, MINTC),
Paavo Wihuri (Maritime Safety/Security, Finnish Maritime
Administration). (The Ambassador did not attend this
briefing). Korpela noted that transportation security is a
priority item on the Finnish agenda, and the GoF plans to
address it through the Security and Safety in Global
Intermodal Transport program. Korpela also offered that it
may be of interest to the USG to learn more about Finnish
icebreaking capabilities. Wihuri noted that Finnish ports
conduct background checks on each employee. Truck drivers
are escorted as they drive trucks on boats.


8. (SBU) Admiral Collins outlined USCG responsibilities,
and noted that the USCG has been active within the IMO on
safety and security, particularly ISPS. USCG wants to
partner robustly around the world, and it is in everybody's
interest to ensure the regime is working. Sub-standard
ships must be prohibited; and the USCG looks to countries
like Finland to be aggressive and to exchange best
practices. Domestic legislation requires USCG to visit
trading partners to see how they are implementing port
security.


9. (SBU) Admiral Collins said that the current USCG agenda
includes a formal port assessment for Finland in 2007, and
that we welcome the Finns to see our ports in the US. The
USCG is working with China to help other nations develop
security in their transportation systems. If there are
possibilities to do that in Europe with Finland, USG is
interested, particularly with regard to West Africa. USCG
may look into replacing two icebreakers that are nearing
the end of their lifecycles. There is a national debate on
who will build the icebreakers and who will pay for them.

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BRIEFING FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
-------------- -


10. (SBU) Admiral Collins provided a USCG overview
briefing to Finnish MPs Jari Vilen (Grand Committee,
chairman),Kimmo Kiljunen (Grand Committee, vice chairman),
Eero Akaan-Penttila (Grand Committee),Veijo Puhjo
(Administrative Committee, vice-chairman) and Lauri Oinonen
(Administrative Committee). (The Ambassador did not attend
this briefing). The Admiral observed that the lack of
clarity in IMO positions between the European Commission
and individual countries made it difficult to develop a
common approach to common issues; and underscored the
purpose of LRIT, the importance of establishing an ICAO
type of audit mechanism for IMO, and the need for greater
transparency and accountability.


11. (SBU) Vilen said he was pleased to hear the Admiral
emphasize multilateral approaches, noting that previous
unilateral USG actions had made it difficult to work with

the Administration. Vilen said the U.S. is Finland's most
important partner, noting that the EU is in a pause
following the defeat of the EU constitution and that the
elections in France would have a huge effect on the EU.
Vilen believes the EU must have a common approach to
security matters; but because the EU is not a federal
state, larger countries (Vilen noted France, UK, Germany,
Spain, Poland) might have different ideas. Since terrorism
is also a threat in Finland -- the willingness to cooperate
internationally is growing. Vilen cited Finland's
assistance during a recent oil slick in Estonian waters for
which Estonia had not requested assistance; and the Police,
Customs and Border Guard cooperation as a model that the
GoF is seeking to introduce elsewhere.

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FIELD SITE VISITS DEMONSTRATE FINNISH MODELS FOR
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
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12. (SBU) Following the policy-level meetings in Helsinki,
Admiral Collins, joined by the Ambassador, visited various
field sites to obtain first-hand understanding of Border
Guard operations and highlight areas of interagency
cooperation.


13. (SBU) On Thursday, 30 March, the delegation visited
the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard Command Center in Helsinki
and the Pelkola border crossing point on the Russian
border; and participated in a snowmobile patrol along the
Russian border. The visit to the Coast Guard Command
Center demonstrated the close operational level
coordination among the FBG, the Finnish Navy and the
Finnish Maritime Administration (FMA). The FBG and FMA are
collocated in the same building and on the same floor. All
three maritime authorities contribute data to build a
single, unified maritime operational picture and can draw
on this picture as the basis for conducting activities.
Later, at the Pelkola border crossing point, the delegation
received presentations about (1) FBG border checkpoint
procedures that include the use of an EU-wide database to
verify the identity of potential criminals; (2) methods and
equipment Finland uses for detecting fraudulent documents;
and (3) the working-level cooperation be Finnish police and
customs officials.


14. (SBU) On Friday, 31 March, the delegation visited the
Western Finland Coast Guard District, and received
briefings on the FBG Air Patrol unit in Turku. Later the
delegation embarked the renovated FBG ship, TURSAS, for a
brief underway period in the Port of Turku that included an
overview of ISPS implementation by the port director.


15. (SBU) On Saturday, 1 April, just before departure, the
Admiral received an overview briefing on the Police,
Customs and Border Guard unit at the Helsinki-Vantaa
international airport. (The Ambassador did not attend this
briefing).

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FUTURE USCG-FBG COOPERATION
--------------


16. (SBU) Admiral Collins' visit provides a solid
foundation for future USG-GoF cooperation on a range of
security issues. Admiral Collins and Vice Admiral
Smolander discussed potential areas for future USCG-FBG
professional exchange. Post looks forward to working with
the USCG to advance both USCG-FBG cooperation and bilateral
and EU policy objectives involving the USCG.

WARE