Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HELSINKI148
2009-04-24 13:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:
FINLAND: BURMA POLICY REVIEW
how-toVZCZCXRO8441 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHHE #0148 1141338 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 241338Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4926 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 0080
C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000148
SIPDIS
EAP/MLS FOR LAURA SCHEIBE, NSC FOR ELIZABETH PHU, EUR/NB
FOR MIGUEL RODRIGUES
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD BM FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: BURMA POLICY REVIEW
REF: STATE 33547
Classified By: PolChief Scott Brandon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
(C) PolOff met with Heidi Marttila, Finnish MFA Unit for Asia
and Oceania on April 23. Marttila reiterated the Government
of Finland's (GOF) position that rewards should not be given
for a deterioration in the status quo; GoF does not want to
send the wrong message to the Burmese Government. She noted
that nothing has worked to improve conditions. Marttila
quoted the Special Envoy's conclusions that something new
must be done, but noted that he is looking into what
"something new" would be. She said that the GoF agrees with
holding dialogue. She expressed concern that the opposition
in Burma is divided between those who view the 2010 elections
as a "little window of opportunity" and criticize sanctions
and those in the opposition who view the elections as a
"joke" and support strengthening sanctions. (Note: GoF has
no Embassy in Burma and operates through Bangkok. Marttila
pointed out that Burmese activist Ko Ko Thett resides in
Helsinki where he works as an independent researcher. End
Note.)
BUTLER