UNCLAS HELSINKI 000112

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM AORC EIND OPCW CWC CBW IR FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION
(CWC) - SEEKING SUPPORT TO BLOCK IRAN BECOMING EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL CHAIR

REF: SECSTATE 17200


1. (U) PolChief delivered subject demarche Feb. 15 to Jani
Raappana, Counselor for Chemical and Biological Disarmament
in the MFA's Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-
Proliferation.


2. (SBU) Although Finland has received no "official" word
that Iran intends to put forward a candidate for the CWC
chairmanship, Raappana said the GOF opposes Iran's
occupying that position and shares our concerns. For now,
he said, Finland hopes the CWC's Asia Group can sort out
the matter internally without the involvement of the WEOG,
and he welcomed US behind-the-scenes efforts to urge the
Asians put forward a consensus candidate as an alternative
to the Iranian.


3. (SBU) Finland has no official position yet as to what
actions it would take if the Asia group cannot find
consensus. However, Raappana said that the EU countries on
the CWC would likely seek a unified position. He added
that the Europe Group has split in the past on chemical
weapons issues and suggested that if it cannot reach a
unified position, Finland would be likely to join the group
that would vote against Iran's bid.
WARE