Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HELSINKI138
2007-02-28 15:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:
FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE
how-toVZCZCXRO0424 RR RUEHAG RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHHE #0138 0591500 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 281500Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3022 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 0557 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA 0405
C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000138
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG EUN KPAL IR FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE
OF THE MARCH 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC)
REF: SECSTATE 23592
Classified By: POLCHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000138
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG EUN KPAL IR FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE
OF THE MARCH 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC)
REF: SECSTATE 23592
Classified By: POLCHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) PolChief discussed subject demarche with European
Correspondent Jarno Syrjala Feb. 28. Syrjala thanked us
for sharing US viewsand highlighted the following:
2. (C) ISRAEL/PAESTINE: Syrjala said that there is still
strong ember-state (MS) consensus around the need for the
Nationa Unity Government (NUG) to commit unequivcally to
the Quartet's three basic principles, ad that the EU will
judge the NUG based on its actions. However, discussions
at the GAERC may reveal some divisions regarding approach.
Syrjala said that most member states are increasingly
skeptical that President Abbas will really be able to
convince Hamas and deliver a NUG that truly commits to the
Quartet's principles. A smaller group of MS (including
Finland) are inclined to support the NUG somewhat more
unconditionally. He predicted that the GAERC will
ultimately issue a statement that fully supports the need
for adherence to the Quartet's principles, but that
internal debate on the details could prove interesting,
"depending on who speaks up." Regarding the overall peace
process, Syrjala noted that the EU appreciated Secretary
Rice's recent efforts in the region and the briefings she
provided the German Presidency. The EU is very supportive
of the positions she outlined during her most recent trip,
he added.
3. (C) UZBEKISTAN: Syrjala downplayed suggestions that the
EU may be looking to lift its sanctions on Uzbekistan in
May and said that Finland at this point would oppose any
such move. (During its EU Presidency, Finland was
instrumental in November 2006 in ensuring that the
sanctions be extended.) The Uzbeks have engaged in a real
dialogue with the EU and "basically responded adequately"
to EU concerns about Andijan, Syrjala noted; however, much
remains to be done to improve the country's overall human
rights record and the EU is unlikely to lift sanctions
until it sees meaningful improvements in several areas.
4. (U) AFGHANISTAN: Although not on the GAERC agenda,
PolChief thanked Finland for announcing that it will
contribute 10 trainers to the EU's forthcoming Afghanistan
police training mission, approved at the Feb. GAERC. Some
technical details remain to be worked out, but Syrjala said
that all political hurdles have been cleared and the
mission should indeed be operational by June, as planned.
WARE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ENRG EUN KPAL IR FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - APPROACHING THE EU IN ADVANCE
OF THE MARCH 5-6 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC)
REF: SECSTATE 23592
Classified By: POLCHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) PolChief discussed subject demarche with European
Correspondent Jarno Syrjala Feb. 28. Syrjala thanked us
for sharing US viewsand highlighted the following:
2. (C) ISRAEL/PAESTINE: Syrjala said that there is still
strong ember-state (MS) consensus around the need for the
Nationa Unity Government (NUG) to commit unequivcally to
the Quartet's three basic principles, ad that the EU will
judge the NUG based on its actions. However, discussions
at the GAERC may reveal some divisions regarding approach.
Syrjala said that most member states are increasingly
skeptical that President Abbas will really be able to
convince Hamas and deliver a NUG that truly commits to the
Quartet's principles. A smaller group of MS (including
Finland) are inclined to support the NUG somewhat more
unconditionally. He predicted that the GAERC will
ultimately issue a statement that fully supports the need
for adherence to the Quartet's principles, but that
internal debate on the details could prove interesting,
"depending on who speaks up." Regarding the overall peace
process, Syrjala noted that the EU appreciated Secretary
Rice's recent efforts in the region and the briefings she
provided the German Presidency. The EU is very supportive
of the positions she outlined during her most recent trip,
he added.
3. (C) UZBEKISTAN: Syrjala downplayed suggestions that the
EU may be looking to lift its sanctions on Uzbekistan in
May and said that Finland at this point would oppose any
such move. (During its EU Presidency, Finland was
instrumental in November 2006 in ensuring that the
sanctions be extended.) The Uzbeks have engaged in a real
dialogue with the EU and "basically responded adequately"
to EU concerns about Andijan, Syrjala noted; however, much
remains to be done to improve the country's overall human
rights record and the EU is unlikely to lift sanctions
until it sees meaningful improvements in several areas.
4. (U) AFGHANISTAN: Although not on the GAERC agenda,
PolChief thanked Finland for announcing that it will
contribute 10 trainers to the EU's forthcoming Afghanistan
police training mission, approved at the Feb. GAERC. Some
technical details remain to be worked out, but Syrjala said
that all political hurdles have been cleared and the
mission should indeed be operational by June, as planned.
WARE