Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HELSINKI55
2006-01-19 15:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:  

LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN: FINNISH GOALS

Tags:  EAID PREL PGOV AF FI 
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UNCLAS HELSINKI 000055 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV AF FI
SUBJECT: LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN: FINNISH GOALS

REF: SECSTATE 03627

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000055

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV AF FI
SUBJECT: LONDON CONFERENCE ON AFGHANISTAN: FINNISH GOALS

REF: SECSTATE 03627


1. (SBU) Responding to reftel demarche, MFA officials
expressed their overall agreement with our stated goals and
were grateful to be kept apprised of the US position.
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Mari Kiviniemi
will represent Finland at the London Conference on
Afghanistan, where she will commit Finland to a significant
5-year pledge. Our interlocutors estimate this pledge to be
approximately EUR 10M (USD 12M) per year. The Finns also
intend to continue their military presence in Afghanistan --
including possibly taking over leadership of a provincial
reconstruction team (PRT)in 2007 -- as well as their
contribution toward narcotics control and good governance.


2. (SBU) Ambassador Mikko Pyhala, Head of the MFA Unit for
South Asia, commented that he and his colleagues at the
Foreign Ministry were "so pleased--no, thrilled--that
Secretary Rice referred to Finland's PRT's in Afghanistan

SIPDIS
during her meeting with Ambassador Pekka Lintu." (Comment:
His enthusiasm was a reminder of the importance Finland
attaches to its commitment to Afghanistan, which remains one
of the largest recipients of Finnish development assistance.
End comment.)


3. (U) Pyhala recommended that the third pillar of the
Afghanistan Compact be amended to reflect economic and
social development, "which is economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable."

HYATT