FINLAND SEEKS STRONGER LINKS WITH U.S. ON HUMAN

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000129 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EUR/OHI GL MATTSON, FOR EUR/NB MIGUEL RODRIGUES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM FI SUBJECT: FINLAND SEEKS STRONGER LINKS WITH U.S. ON HUMAN RIGHTS REF: A. STATE 18282 ¶B. STATE 14201 ¶C. 08 STATE 60306 ¶D. HELSINKI 76 ¶1. (SBU) On March 26, Kari Kahiluoto, MFA Ambassador for Human Rights and Democracy, met with Charge to discuss the Alliance fr Civilizations (AOC) meeting in Istanbul (April2009),the UN, the Finnish Holocaust Task Force memership application, the Community of Democraciesmeeting (uly 2009),and the Durban Review Confeence attendance (April 2009). Kahiluoto inquire about possible political and practical ways forthe Government of Finland (GoF) to link to the U.S. Democracy Promotion Agenda and cooperate on work in third countries. He anticipates a Finnish visit to the U.S. this year on that subject. He further remarked, without giving specifics, that the GoF is considering contributing to the UN Democracy Fund. ¶2. (SBU) Kahiluoto expects Finnish Minister for European Migration Astrid Thors to represent the GoF at the Alliance of Civilizations meeting in Istanbul. Ambassador Kahiluoto expects to attend the Durban Review Conference as part of the Finnish delegation. He said that while the Finns are dissatisfied with the length and subject matter of the Durban agenda, they will attend the conference in order to try to prevent the outcome from "decapitating human rights" at the UN. He suggested keeping an eye on the atmosphere at the AOC meeting, which he thought might signal the tone for the Durban Review Conference. (NOTE: In a March 28 discussion, President Halonen told Charg that she expected to attend the AOC meeting.) ¶3. (SBU) Upon taking office last fall, Kahiluoto told Poloff of Finland's intent to join the Holocaust Task Force. He offered Charge the following reasons for pursuing membership: (1) Finnish interest in human rights; (2) Bringing Finland in line with Council of Europe, UNESCO, and OSCE positions; (3) Countering emerging xenophobic tendencies in Europe; (4) Linking Finnish academics and researchers to other members; and (5) Maintaining Finnish national image as a strong promoter of human rights. Kahiluoto expects the GoF to make a presentation in Oslo this year and submit the required baseline study for membership before April 20. BUTLER