FINNISH COMMENTS ON THE MAY 26-27 GAERC

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000226 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EUN FI LE IR GG SY SUBJECT: FINNISH COMMENTS ON THE MAY 26-27 GAERC REF: STATE 54639 ¶1. (U) PolChief and PolOff delivered the Department's GAERC talking points to Finnish European Correspondent Leena-Kaisa Mikkola May 20. ¶2. (SBU) IRAN: Mikkola acknowledged that the EU has still been unable to reach consensus on implementation of UNSCR 1803. However, she noted that the EU did agree to broaden the list of entities and individuals covered by existing EU sanctions. For its, part, the GoF supported a shared EU position on implementation of UNSCR 1803, as well a strong package of new EU measures to accompany it. However, Mikkola reported, consensus was not reached either because certain member states chose to follow the UN track more closely (Sweden),while others may have business interests at stake (Italy). Mikkola suggested that more and more countries are leaning toward eventual adoption of additional EU autonomous sanctions, and the issue could be reopened next month when France takes over the EU presidency. ¶3. (SBU) LEBANON: Mikkola expects no "passionate difference of opinion" on Lebanon and therefore little discussion. As an aside, she mentioned that serious conversations took place at last month's informal GYMNICH regarding how the EU should handle communication with Syria. Some ministers argued in favor of consolidating all contact via High Rep Solana, while others wanted to maintain the option for bilateral contacts. While the GYMNICH does not produce formal conclusions, Mikkola reported that there was general agreement around the idea that contacts could proceed on both EU and bilateral levels, provided the message to the Syrians remained consistent. ¶4. (SBU) WESTERN BALKANS and GEORGIA: Mikkola does not expect the Western Balkans to be a major agenda item. However, should Solana's briefing indicate that the UN and the EU have made better progress in their negotiations regarding transition, that could lead to some discussion. There will be conclusions on Georgia, but they will depend heavily on the election results. BARRETT