FINLAND: DEMARCHE RESPONSE AUNG SAN SUU KYI

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000310 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EAP/MLS FOR LAURA SCHEIBE, EUR/NB FOR MIGUEL RODRIGUES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL BM FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: DEMARCHE RESPONSE AUNG SAN SUU KYI CONVICTION REF: STATE 83598 ¶1. (U) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Heidi Marttila, Finnish MFA Unit for Asia and Oceania on August 18. Marttila noted that while Government of Finland (GoF) does not comment or issue press releases unilaterally on issues covered through the EU, the Finnish Foreign Minister (Stubb) is well versed on Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi's conviction and if asked in interviews would reiterate the EU position on behalf of Finland. ¶2. (SBU) Marttila said the organization Independent Diplomat has approached the GoF for funding to assist the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) in implementation of its opposition strategy for the democratic elections. She said that the GoF is likely to fund the request and that the project has support from former President Ahtisaari and other former diplomats. BUTLER