FINNISH VIEWS ON JANUARY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000072 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2010 TAGS: PREL FI EUN GAERC SUBJECT: FINNISH VIEWS ON JANUARY GAERC REF: STATE 11254 Classified By: Polchief Gregory Thome, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) European Correspondent Jarno Syrjala said Finland supports nearly all the views outlined in our pre-GAERC demarche (reftel). His other comments of note follow. ¶2. (C) IRAN: Finland views the cooperation of the EU, the U.S. and, to an increasing extent, Russia as very encouraging. However, Syrjala cautioned, a move by China (or perhaps India) to block an IAEA Board of Governors' decision to report Iran to the UN Security Council would be a victory for Tehran and must be avoided. At the GAERC, the EU foreign ministers will likely authorize a Troika approach to China, led by Javier Solana -- a move Finland, as a Troika member, fully supports. ¶3. (SBU) KOSOVO/MONTENEGRO: Finland still supports efforts to resolve Kosovo's future status in 2006, even though some member states have questioned whether Rugova's death might force a delay. However, Syrjala noted, should UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari recommend to the GAERC a modified time-line, Finland will likely support it. Syrjala agreed fully with our concern that developments in Montenegro not interfere with the process in Kosovo. ¶4. (SBU) BELARUS: Finland welcomed the announcement that the GOB will invite ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) election observers, but agrees that a fraudulent March 19 election and/or widespread human rights abuses must be met with increased pressure. HYATT