FINLAND: DEMARCHE COMMENTS ON JULY GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000284 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER EUN ER SO IR GG SW FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: DEMARCHE COMMENTS ON JULY GAERC REF: EMAIL J. GIAUCQUE DTD 7/16/2009 Classified By: Acting Pol/Econ Chief Wendy Kahler for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: PolOff delivered demarche to Finnish MFA Deputy European Correspondent Markku Lampinen on July 23. Somalia: The Government of Finland (GoF) would like more concrete political action on Somalia from the EU. The GoF supports the Djibouti Peace Process and the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The Somali Minister of Justice visited the GoF July 21-22 to request assistance in rule-of-law training. Lampinen expects initial discussion on an EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, and plans to nominate Pekka Haavisto, the Finnish Foreign Minister's Special Representative for the Horn of Africa . Iran: The GoF continues to support current EU diplomatic actions on Iran, but is prepared to support a tougher response with EU consensus. Lampinen expressed regret that the detentions had dominated discussion and hoped that attention would soon return to Iran's nuclear program and the post-election situation. Separately, Lampinen expects some discussion over how to handle the Iranian presidential inauguration. GoF is leaning away from a full boycott. Georgia: On U.S. participation in the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM),Lampinen said that the GoF has no formal position and generally welcomes third country participation, especially U.S. participation. Lampinen said that the EUMM one-year extension is an "A-point" and would be approved without discussion. GoF favors closer relations for Georgia with the EU and supports negotiations to move Georgia from a cooperation agreement to an association agreement. Other External Affairs: Lampinen said that GoF favors Icelandic EU membership. Lampinen expects a conclusion on how to move forward on Kenya's slow down in the reconciliation process and reform agenda implementation. End summary. Somalia -------------- ¶2. (C) Lampinen said that the GoF would like more concrete political action from the EU on Somalia instead of just discussion. Working groups have given recommendations based on an EU options paper and discussion should move forward. GoF supports the Djibouti Peace Process and the TFG. Lampinen noted that the Somali Minister of Justice visited Finland on July 21 and 22 to meet with parliamentarians and �A;MFA officials as part of a Nordic tour. The Minister requested humanitarian support for Somalia, as well as Nordic assistance with long-term training in rule-of-law for tribunal judges and police. Somalia's Minister of Justice disagreed with the EU assessment that the EU operation against Somali pirates is a success, arguing that the problem is worsening. ¶3. (SBU) Lampinen expects initial discussion at this GAERC on an appointment of an EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa. He said that the GoF will suggest Pekka Haavisto, who has been the Finnish Foreign Minister's Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and has experience in Sudan and Darfur. Haavisto has said that a broader basis for reconciliation is necessary and more opposition groups will need to be included. Lampinen noted that preparing for Somali long term reconstruction, even starting it now in stable areas, would be important. Iran -------------- ¶4. (C) The GoF continues to support the EU 3 3 and the twin-track policy, emphasizing EU unity and cooperation with the U.S. Lampinen noted that the G8 declaration was an important message to Iran. He added that the GoF expects the EU to continue working for the release of the French hostage. Lampinen expressed regret that the detentions had dominated discussions and hoped that attention would soon return to Iran's nuclear program and the post-election situation. Lampinen said that the GoF is prepared to support tougher action on the post-election situation should the EU find consensus. ¶5. (C) Separately, Lampinen expects some discussion over how to handle the Iranian presidential inauguration. GoF is leaning away from a full boycott. Logistically, downgrading Finnish attendance, which is one alternative to a full boycott, would be difficult as the Finnish Embassy in Iran has an Ambassador but not a deputy. Lampinen remarked that the EU should continue to pay attention to the worsening human rights situation in Iran. He reminded PolOff that the MFA has summoned the Iranian Ambassador three times: over a stoning, over the post-election situation and over the British detentions. Georgia -------------- ¶6. (C) On U.S. participation in the EUMM, Lampinen said that the GoF has no formal position and generally welcomes third country participation, especially U.S. participation. Although the EUMM Operations Commander told Finland that EUMM reinforcement is not currently required, the GoF would support reinforcement in the future as needed. Lampinen said that the EUMM one-year extension is an "A-point" and would be approved without discussion. Lampinen said that the EU should not become a mediator between the Georgia government and its opposition groups, especially since the EUMM is the only remaining international presence. ¶7. (C) In possible further discussions, Lampinen noted that GoF supports the following points: (1) A continued international presence in Georgia remains important (2) The EUMM should be strong enough and the mandate large enough to be effective (3) The aim has to be international access to Abkhazia and South Ossetia (4) The Geneva process should be continued with all parties. GoF wants Georgia to carry out promised reforms and find internal consensus with their citizens themselves. Notably, he said that the GoF is in favor of closer relations between Georgia and the EU. The GoF favors starting negotiations in September to move Georgia from a cooperation agreement to an association agreement. As a final point, he said that GoF would like to see the EU send a message on the anniversary of the war, stating that Georgia should neither provoke nor be provoked. Other General Affairs -------------- ¶8. (C) Lampinen said that in general, the GoF supports the Swedish presidency program as the program represents Finnish priorities very well. He noted in particular that the Baltic Sea Strategy is very important to Finland. The Ministers will discuss Iceland's EU application and the GoF is very much in favor of Icelandic membership. Lampinen expects a conclusion on how to move forward on Kenya's slow down in the reconciliation process and reform agenda implementation. BUTLER