Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08HELSINKI180
2008-04-24 07:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:  

FINNISH COMMENTS ON THE APRIL 28-29 GAERC

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM EUN FI 
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VZCZCXRO6518
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHHE #0180 1150720
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240720Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4256
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0002
RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA 0045
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000180 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EUN FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH COMMENTS ON THE APRIL 28-29 GAERC


UNCLAS HELSINKI 000180

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EUN FI
SUBJECT: FINNISH COMMENTS ON THE APRIL 28-29 GAERC



1. (U) Poloffs delivered GAERC talking points to Finnish
MFA European Correspondent Leena-Kaisa Mikkola April 22.


2. (SBU) WESTERN BALKANS: The GoF agrees that the US and
the EU should work collaboratively to urge the UNSG to
show leadership in ensuring a smooth transition from UNMIK
to a new international presence in Kosovo. This
especially is important in the face of Russian and Serbian
pressure aimed at slowing the process. However, Mikkola
lamented, the EU remains unable to agree on a common
position. Member States that have not recognized Kosovo's
independence are equally reticent about pressing the UNSG
on post-UNMIK transition; only Spain has shown a hint of
interest, and even then "there is not much movement there
either," she said. The Finns do not expect strong
conclusions on the issue to emerge from the April GAERC.
The Ministers may take some steps forward on visa waiver
questions, a move the GoF supports if Serbia continues to
show progress on the pre-established benchmarks.


2. (SBU) ZIMBABWE: The GoF does expect the Ministers to
adopt strong conclusions condemning the delayed in release
of election results and calling on key regional actors to
step up pressure on the Mugabe government.


3. (SBU) BURMA: Although consensus does not exist, the
GoF expects a fruitful preliminary discussion regarding
the possibility of new sanctions and their potential
efficacy.
HYATT