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