FINLAND: RESPONSE AUSTRALIA GROUP PROMOTING

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000281 SIPDIS ISN/CB FOR ANDREW SOUZA, EUR/NB FOR MIGUEL RODRIGUES E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC CBW FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: RESPONSE AUSTRALIA GROUP PROMOTING PARTICIPATION REF: STATE 67207 Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Chief Wendy Kahler for reasons 1.4 (c) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered reftel points to Finnish MFA First Secretary Marja Rosvall in the Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation on July 23. She noted in particular that in her opinion, Russia approaches participation in the Australia Group ambivalently, desiring to participate but not necessarily comply with group requirements. ¶2. (C) Rosvall also said that the open Finnish proposal (dated April 2008) to close the Australia Group export control loophole concerning related software could resurface for discussion in the September meeting. The proposal specifically notes that certain equipment with upgraded software could be exported without export license even though the software and/or the equipment changes the functionality. Finland proposes Wassenaar Arrangement type controls over related software in toxic gas monitoring, chemical manufacturing and chemical and biological equipment. She commented that Wassenaar type controls would unite the two current export control systems. BUTLER