Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HELSINKI725
2006-07-28 14:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:  

FINNISH EU PRESIDENCY ON EXTRAORDINARY AUG. 1 GAERC

Tags:  PGOV PREL MARR MOPS EUN FI 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHAG
DE RUEHHE #0725 2091440
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281440Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2221
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000725 

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS EUN FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH EU PRESIDENCY ON EXTRAORDINARY AUG. 1 GAERC


Classified By: a/dcm Gregory Thome, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000725

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/28/2012
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR MOPS EUN FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH EU PRESIDENCY ON EXTRAORDINARY AUG. 1 GAERC


Classified By: a/dcm Gregory Thome, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: A/DCM met with Finnish MFA European
Correspondent Jarno Syrjala to discuss the Aug. 1
extraordinary GAERC. Syrjala also offered the latest
Finnish EU Presidency thinking regarding a potential
international force for Lebanon. End Summary.


2. (C) Regarding the GAERC agenda, Syrjala suggested
that it will be short, focusing mainly on humanitarian
issues in Lebanon and Gaza. At a ministers-only lunch,
Finnish FM Tuomioja and Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
will brief on their trip to the region, and EU High Rep
Solana may brief on conversations with Secretary Rice in
Asia. There is no consensus as to whether the GAERC
will issue formal conclusions -- apparently a
contentious issue. The UK is currently alone in
actively opposing formal conclusions, but most member
states agree that hours of debate resulting in a
"watered down" set of conclusions serves no purpose,
Syrjala said. FM Tuomioja is currently of that opinion,
he added.


3. (C) Regardless of whether formal conclusions are
issued, Syrjala said Solana, Tuomioja and Ferrero-
Waldner will likely hold a press conference after the
GAERC. There is near-unanimity among member states on
the need to reiterate the EU's call for an immediate
ceasefire in Lebanon, particularly in response to strong
public pressure, he said. They will also likely
announce aid packages, and perhaps thank Israel for
assuring humanitarian corridors. We questioned the
usefulness of simply repeating over and over the call
for a ceasefire when conditions on the ground did not
seem to warrant it yet. Syrjala said the EU understood
the US view in that regard, but emphasized that the EU
line regarding this only continues to become firmer.
Even the UK, he noted, appeared to be moving in that
direction (although not there yet). A/DCM reminded him
that the Rome meeting had produced different, compromise
language, which he acknowledged. However, he noted that
the recent death of three European peacekeepers --
including a Finnish officer -- had hardened even further
the insistence, both in Finland and the wider EU, that
an immediate ceasefire is crucial.


4. (C) A/DCM noted that increasingly divergent opinions
between Washington and European partners did little to
help the international community move forward together
to resolve the crisis. Syrjala acknowledged this, and
offered three ideas to help us move forward together.
First, he said, productive negotiations (when the time
is right) regarding an international peace force will be
very helpful. The EU is "unanimous" in its opinion that
NATO cannot take the lead, and the GOF appreciates the
flexibility the US has shown in this regard. Syrjala
reiterated suggestions we've heard from other senior
Finns that the GOF -- and most in the EU -- would
welcome a UN or EU force with NATO backing under Berlin
Plus. He opined that a French-led force with a strong
Muslim element (Turkey or perhaps Indonesia, which whom
the EU has had some discussions) could prove the most
effective combination.


5. (C) Second, Syrjala suggested, the best operational
approach might be to scrap UNIFIL altogether and begin
with an entirely new force and a far more robust
mandate. This would have to include careful diplomacy
with the French; they have already asked for a
"reinforced" UNIFIL, but appear somewhat flexible on
that, he said. Finland believes the force should also
have a strong mandate to enforce UN Res. 1559; however,
he warned, several other EU member states will become
increasingly uneasy the more the concept of 1559
enforcement is incorporated into the new force's
mandate.


6. (C) Finally Syrjala said, humanitarian assistance
could also offer a positive way forward. The GOF and
the EU welcome Israel's commitment to assuring
humanitarian corridors, and Syrjala acknowledged
Secretary Rice's helpful role in this regard during her

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trip to the region. The Commission and several member
states are willing to make significant additional
financial contributions, he added, which is crucial at a
time when European public opinion is demanding a strong
EU humanitarian response.
WARE