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