FINDLAND COMMENTS ON SEPTEMBER 15-16 FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000415 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM EUN PGOV FISO SO ZI UP SUBJECT: FINDLAND COMMENTS ON SEPTEMBER 15-16 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING (GAERC) REF: A. A. STATE 96598 ¶B. B. STATE 97574 Classified By: PolChief Scott Brandon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1 (SBU) Political Section Chief met on September 12 with the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Unit for Euopean Common Foreign and Security Policy, Leena-Kaisa Mikkola to deliver reftels points. ¶2. (SBU) ZIMBABWE: The EU was considering strengthening the sanctions, but given the recent political breakthrough the EU will not consider additional or stronger sanctions. The ministers will welcome the recent deal between Mugabe and the opposition, and the EU will stand ready to plan its role in reconstruction efforts. Mikkola was usure how the Ministers would deal with exisiting sanctions; she doubted the ministers would take action to remove them and thought they would adopt a "wait and see" approach. ¶3. (C) SOMALIA: Mikkola said there was no action on a "naval operation," or at least not yet. The EU will decide on "joint action" regarding a four-member coordination cell in the EU Military Secretariat, which will assist in coordination of "international efforts" (meaning the EU countries acting independently in the region). Planning is underway for an ESDP operation later in the year. This would be an EU operation, but again would involve those Member States already in the region. ¶4. (SBU) SERBIA: The Finns are uncertain about the Presidency's intentions regarding Serbia. The new ICTY Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, might participate in the meeting, providing a report on Serbia's cooperation with the ICTY. Mikkola said the Member States will not ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia until there has been "full cooperation" from Serbia (to include turning over Mladic and Hadzic). However, she noted that there "European Community-related agreements" with Serbia that address trade issues, and some provisions therein could be implemented. Finland supports implementing those trade provisions as a means to encourage the Government of Serbia and show the Serbian people that their government's "good deeds" are noticed. Mikkola is not sure that EULEX will be discussed. Regarding Serbia's referral to the ICJ, Mikkola says there's "hope for a common position" but that the GoF has not arrived at one itself. ¶5. (SBU) TURKEY: Not on the agenda. ¶6. (C) GEORGIA: The Member States are expected to announce ESDP contributions prior to the GAERC, and they will reach the goal of 200 monitors. She noted that there was a "tight schedule" to deploy the monitors by October 1, but predicted that deployment by that date could occur. Regarding the October 15 international conference in Geneva to address reconstruction in Georgia, Mikkola said there was some doubt about who would be in charge (EU, someone else) and who would participate. They awaited word from the Presidency. She pointed out that the European Council was scheduled to meet on the same day, and wondered what that conflict said about participation at the conference. ¶7. (SBU) BELARUS: Mikkola said Belarus would be on the agenda. She said there was great interest in the EU about the results of the upcoming elections. The EU has sanctions in place - e.g., visa restrictions - and while they welcomed the release of some political prisoners in August they do not anticipate action to ease or remove sanctions before the elections. BARRETT