FINLAND AND THE MAY 2009 NPT PREPCOM

S E C R E T HELSINKI 000062 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/MNSA (SCOTT DAVIS); GENEVA (CD); UNVIE (IAEA); USUN (POL); USNATO (POL); USEU (POL) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2019 TAGS: AORC CDG ENRG FI KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA SUBJECT: FINLAND AND THE MAY 2009 NPT PREPCOM REF: SECSTATE 06970 Classified By: CDA Michael Butler for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) PolChief met on February 10 with Outi Holopainen, the MFA's Director for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, to discuss the Finnish government's (GOF) views on upcoming non-proliferation meetings (REF). Holopainen said that, regarding the NPT review cycle, the GOF had not formed concrete positions regarding its own objectives - that would happen later in February into March; she had not seen any documents coming out of EU working groups. Holopainen appreciated early engagement on the matter by the U.S., and added that Finland is not alone in looking to the new Administration with high expectations, hoping for positive signals about the tone to be set for the Prepcom (calling early signs "constructive and "very promising"). Holopainen attributed the relative slowness of Finland (and the EU) to a "wait and see" attitude, i.e., waiting for "signals" to indicate whether the "overall atmosphere will be conducive for progress" at the May 2009 PrepCom. ¶2. (C) Holopainen shared current thinking within the GOF on the NPT. She stressed the importance of the "credibility" and "universality" of the NPT, adding that a key issue for the GOF is a balance of the treaty's "three pillars" of non-proliferation, disarmament and nuclear cooperation. She noted an "eternal tension" regarding the pillars, in particular between the nuclear "haves" and "have nots." Holopainen said that as a small have-not Finland would benefit from a strong, fully implemented NPT. For Finland, one area seemingly forgotten in NPT discussions is that of tactical nuclear weapons. Sharing such a long border with Russia, tactical nuclear weapons remain an important topic that the Finns feel has been neglected. ¶3. (C) Regarding what the GOF looks for from the new Administration, Holopainen said they would like to see the U.S. ratify the CTBT. The GOF realizes the Administration faces difficulties domestically, but feels that ratification would provide a valuable example for others to follow. ¶4. (C) Holopainen touched on a few other matters. EU member states are discussing the proliferation of technology and a multilateral arrangement regarding a nuclear fuel supply. Holopainen, pointing to the concern of some countries that such and arrangement constitutes an attempt by the West to monopolize the nuclear fuel market, said that such an arrangement is "easier said than done." Nevertheless, Finland is willing to work constructively on the matter, in particular within the EU. ¶5. (S) COMMENT: On non-proliferation activities the Finns have been very cooperative. They have assured us that the GOF vigorously implements dual use provisions of UNSCR 1803 on Iran's nuclear program and all previous resolutions related to Iran. The government has established a working group that includes the Foreign Ministry, Customs and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy in order to provide additional safeguards. Officials state that the GOF welcomes the EU's process aimed at ensuring implementation among all Member States. On sanctions, the GOF has been supportive of possible sanctions against Iran within an EU framework. Last summer the GOF prevented a pending transaction that would have put dual-use weather-related technology in the hands of an Iranian shell company. END COMMENT. ¶6. (U) Contact information: MFA Unit for Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation Outi Holopainen, Director 358 9 160 56185 outi.holopainen@formin.fi Outi Hyvarinen, Counsellor (Nuclear Non-proliferation and disarmament, missile non-proliferation, NSG, MTCR, HCOC, CTBT) 358 9 160 5582 outi.hyvarinen@formin.fi Nina Nordstrom, First Secretary (Chemical (OPCW) and biological (BWC) disarmament, Australia Group, Verifin, CD) 358 9 160 56030 nina.nordstrom@formin.fi Sandra Hatzidakis, First Secretary (Conventional weapons, (CCW),small arms and light weapons) 358 9 160 55110 sandra.hatzidakis@formin.fi BUTLER