FINNISH COMMENTS ON OCTOBER 13 GAERC

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000463 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EUN PHUM PREL PGOV ZI UZ BO GG RS FI SUBJECT: FINNISH COMMENTS ON OCTOBER 13 GAERC REF: STATE 108064 1.(U) Poloff delivered GAERC demarche to Finnish MFA European correspondent Leena-Kaisa Mikkola October 10. 2.(SBU) Zimbabwe: Mikkola said that the discussion on Zimbabwe will focus on EU humanitarian assistance and whether assistance can be delivered without hindrance. She further stated that the sanctions policy would not be changed without improvement. Mikkola noted that government of Finland (GoF) agreed with the US positions. 3.(SBU) Georgia: Mikkola noted that the EU presidency does not want an in-depth discussion of EU-Russia relations at this meeting. She expects the discussion will center on whether the Russians have withdrawn from the buffer zones. Mikkola further stated that although the EU is committed to support of Georgian territorial integrity, she does not expect a discussion on travel restrictions for South Ossetian and Abkhaz officials. She remarked that the October 15 Geneva conference and the October 22 Brussels donor conference will be discussed. She expects that the European Council meeting next week may take up EU-Russia relations discussions in advance of the EU-Russia November summit. Mikkola remarked that the EU mission has started to function quite well and that the EU may congratulate itself on its success. 4.(SBU) Belarus: Mikkola stated that the GoF is not far from the US position on Belarus. She noted that the EU has had sanctions in place for four years and would not lift them completely but will discuss them in light of the positive news on the release of political prisoners and possibly suspend some sanctions. Mikkola remarked that the parliamentary elections were not as democratic as hoped. Foreign Minister Stubb met with President Lukashenko in Belarus a couple of days ago and will likely brief the EU. The GoF views Belarus as far from perfect but regards engaging with it especially important following the crisis in Georgia. Mikkola said that Belarus has been under pressure from Russia to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia but has not done so. 5.(SBU) Uzbekistan: Mikkola said that Uzbekistan,s recent positive steps--including the release of political prisoners, legislation abolishing the death penalty, and ratification of international conventions related to child labor--would be discussed. She said that the arms embargo will stay in place but that certain other sanctions may be lifted. BARRETT