FINLAND WILL SUPPORT U.S. POSITION AT ANTARCTIC

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000280

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE: EVAN BLOOM AND LAWRENCE HUGHES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC AY IN KSCA KTIA SENV THPY FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND WILL SUPPORT U.S. POSITION AT ANTARCTIC
TREATY CONSULTATIVE MEETING

REF: SECSTATE 42866


1. (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche on the upcoming
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) to Mr. Jukka
Nikulainen, First Secretary in the Northern Dimension unit of
the GOF Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Finnish delegation
to the ATCM meeting includes:
-Ambassador Erik Ulfstedt, Head of Delegation, MFA
-Jukka Nikulainen, MFA Northern Dimension unit
-Marja Pohjanpalo, MFA Treaty Law unit
-Tuomas Kuokkanen, Ministry of Environment
-Outi Mahonen, Ministry of Environment


2. (SBU) Nikulainen said the Finnish delegation was generally
pleased with the U.S. working paper for controlling tourism
in the Antarctic and they would speak in favor of the
proposal. Nikulainen said their delegation was especially
pleased that the U.S. proposal focused on environmental
protection as the basis for regulating tourism in the region.
Nikulainen said Finland, in principle, supports the U.S.
proposal to limit the number passengers on tour ships to less
than 500, as well limiting the total number of passengers at
any one time and requiring guides for groups of less than 20
passengers. Nikulainen agreed that IMO needs to play a
strong role in approving shipping issues as outlined in the
U.S. proposal.


3. (SBU) Nikulainen said they have no opinion on the proposed
U.S. research stations in the region. Their delegation is
hoping to learn more before deciding; however, Finland is
generally supportive of polar research especially given the
International Polar Year commemoration.
HYATT