UPDATE ON FINNISH EU PRESIDENCY ACTIONS IN SUPPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000830 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2014 TAGS: MOPS PREL PGOV FI SUBJECT: UPDATE ON FINNISH EU PRESIDENCY ACTIONS IN SUPPORT OF UNIFIL REF: HELSINKI 798 Classified By: PolChief Gregory Thome, Reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) MFA Unit for Security Policy Director Kimmo Lahdevirta offered an update on the Finnish Presidency's recent efforts to urge EU member states to make troop contributions to UNIFIL. ¶2. (C) While signals out of Paris continue to be mixed, it now appears clear that the French intend to contribute only 400 troops to UNIFIL (i.e., 200 additional troops to supplement the 200 already on the ground),Lahdevirta said; France will also put its 1700 Marines in the region "on standby" for deployment to Lebanon, but only if necessary. The Finnish Presidency is disappointed with this response and has urged France to reconsider. As previewed reftel, Finnish FM Erkki Tuomioja telephoned French FM Philippe Douste-Blazy Aug. 18 to press France to lead the mission and to increase its troop strength, but apparently to no avail. Douste-Blazy was non-committal in his conversation with Tuomioja, Lahdevirta reported, suggesting only that the disappointing French response stemmed in part from France's strained relationships with Syria and with pro-Syria factions in Lebanon. Oddly, he added, Douste-Blazy hinted that Paris still might make a better showing if a second UNSC resolution is adopted, although in the short to medium term this does not appear likely. Lahdevirta also surmised, as a personal aside, again oddly, that perhaps the French would have been more forthcoming if the mission were EU-hatted as opposed to UN-hatted.) ¶3. (C) Meanwhile, Finnish Presidency conversations with other member states have also yielded few firm commitments. Germany, with whom the GOF held talks last week, has not moved very far from its reticent stance, although the door remains open to many possible options, including police and/or maritime support, Lahdevirta said. Finnish efforts to press for a combined Nordic force have fallen flat. Denmark and Norway may make important contributions of naval assets, but they and Sweden in particular have expressed little interest in providing ground forces -- leaving Finland in search of other partners to whom it can attach what it expects to be a 200 to 260 man force. Finland will chair an extraordinary PSC meeting Aug. 23 in Brussels where "the goal is to pressure those who have not committed forces to make commitments," Lahdevirta said. With the French backpedaling, Lahdevirta welcomed the concept of a "three-pillar strategy" as a best second option. He said that EU sources continue to indicate that Italy may take on a leadership role and that -- in conjunction with Turkey and a third partner -- could provide the necessary leadership and a significant framework troop contribution. However, much will depend on what Italy offers at the COPS meeting Aug. 23. ¶4. (C) Comment: Finland continues to make good faith efforts in showing leadership and urging other EU members to make robust contributions to UNIFIL -- including its own contribution of an "enhanced company," which for a country of this size is significant given the GOF's many other PKO commitments worldwide. However, the current lack of a major commitment from a major EU power highlights the limited role a small country Presidency can play. End Comment. HYATT