UNCLAS HELSINKI 000933

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER IS LE ECON FI
SUBJECT: MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM ON LEBANON: FINNISH
RESPONSE

REF: STATE 148157


1. (U) Charge delivered subject demarche to Finnish MFA
Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Markus Lyra
September 13. She underscored the need for the
international community to help the Lebanese Government
gain sovereignty over its own territory; US efforts to
provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance; the
importance of international efforts to prevent the inflow
of arms into Lebanon now that Israel had moved to lift
the blockade; and the international community's other
commitments under UNSCR 1701. Charge also took the
opportunity to thank the GOF for its 240-troop
contribution to UNIFIL and for the key leadership role it
played, in its capacity as EU President, in urging robust
contributions from other EU member states.


2. (SBU) Lyra fully shared our views, especially
regarding the importance of maintaining the strong
international consensus that currently exists in support
of the GOL. The EU should have as many as 5000 troops on
the ground in the next few days -- a development that
complements the very positive step Israel took in lifting
the blockade. Lyra added that, with the lifting of the
blockade, more pressure must be placed on Syria. The
international community must monitor Syria's behavior
very closely, and cannot afford to "over-interpret" its
willingness to play a positive role. The UN, EU and US
must find a means of convincing Damascus to permit a
robust UNIFIL presence along its border, he said.
According to Lyra, Germany has offered Syria a border
training project that the EU believes could have positive
impact on how Syria handles its commitment to 1701.
The GOF also supports the UNSYG's effort to resolve
outstanding issues surrounding Shebba Farms.
HYATT