C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000144

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR ALL NATO POST COLLECTIVE, EUR A/S DAN FRIED,
A/S PAULA DESUTTER, A/S ISN JOHN ROOD, NSC/ DAVID STEPHENS
AND JUDY ANSLEY, AND OSD/P BRIAN GREEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/01/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL EZ PL FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH RESPONSE - RESPONDING TO RUSSIAN THREATS
AGAINST MISSILE DEFENSE IN POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

REF: SECSTATE 21640

Classified By: POLCHIEF GREGORY THOME FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) DCM delivered subject demarche to Finnish MFA
Undersecretary for Political Affairs Markus Lyra on March

1. Lyra thanked the US for sharing detailed information
regarding the missile defense assets that are to be
deployed as well as regarding the extensive consultations
the US has held with Russia regarding our plans. He
expressed appreciation that Finland was included among the
small group of non-NATO allies with whom the information
had been shared.


2. (C) Lyra noted that Finland fully understands that the
missile defense assets to be deployed in Poland and the
Czech Republic are defensive with no offensive capabilities
-- and that they are not designed to defend against Russia.
Finnish technical experts had already assured the MFA that
both geography and the laws of physics indicated that these
weapons could only be designed to defend against ballistic
missile attacks originating from elsewhere. Lyra added
that Finland and the EU viewed Russian threats to withdraw
from the INF as particularly unhelpful, but added that such
statements were "probably not realistic." In his view,
Moscow is upset about NATO expansion and frustrated about
the fact that Russia is "behind the US and NATO" in terms
of nuclear and conventional weapons capabilities; because
of this frustration, they have made comments about the INF
that are "emotional not logical." However, he continued,
the Russians know that withdrawing from the INF would not
serve their purposes.


3. (C) In response to DCM's request that the GOF consider
making a public statement to "calm the waters" on the
missile defense issue, Lyra pointed to a public comment FM
Erkki Tuomioja made last week indicating that the GOF
understood that the assets in question were in no way
intended for offensive purposes. Although he agreed to
pass on our request to the FM, he could not promise
additional statements. Lyra noted though -- with
parliamentary elections only two weeks away -- questions on
this issue could indeed arise and our fact-based points
would be of use in responding accurately.
WARE