Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09HELSINKI9
2009-01-08 11:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Helsinki
Cable title:
FINLAND: OPPOSING IRAN PRESIDENCY AT UNDP
how-toVZCZCXRO2159 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHHE #0009 0081109 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 081109Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4739 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0103
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000009
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
IO/EDA CHARLES CHANG
NEA/IR VICTORIA TAYLOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL IR UN EAID FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: OPPOSING IRAN PRESIDENCY AT UNDP
REF: STATE 01500
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000009
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
IO/EDA CHARLES CHANG
NEA/IR VICTORIA TAYLOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL IR UN EAID FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: OPPOSING IRAN PRESIDENCY AT UNDP
REF: STATE 01500
1. (SBU) POLOFF discussed the Iranian candidacy for UNDP
President with Marko Laine, Counselor, Unit for Development
Issues (UNDP Desk for Finland). He plans to discuss the
candidacy further with the political section at the Finnish
MFA, but noted that their unofficial position will be to vote
in favor of the candidacy; they acknowledge US concern but
based on the UNICEF experience with Iran in a leadership
role, do not foresee Iran politicizing this venue.
2. (SBU) Laine also stated that they hope this would not go
to secret ballot as that is unprecedented. He also commented
that Iran has no special status in the UN at this time that
provides a formal reason to block them; such as boycott or
security resolutions. Laine noted that UNDP connotes only
"mild" political action and addresses strictly social
development.
3. (SBU) Government of Finland (GoF) does not yet have the EU
official position on the vote. The EU is expected to
coordinate its position today or tomorrow morning and the GoF
prefers to join a unified EU position.
BARRETT
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
IO/EDA CHARLES CHANG
NEA/IR VICTORIA TAYLOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL IR UN EAID FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: OPPOSING IRAN PRESIDENCY AT UNDP
REF: STATE 01500
1. (SBU) POLOFF discussed the Iranian candidacy for UNDP
President with Marko Laine, Counselor, Unit for Development
Issues (UNDP Desk for Finland). He plans to discuss the
candidacy further with the political section at the Finnish
MFA, but noted that their unofficial position will be to vote
in favor of the candidacy; they acknowledge US concern but
based on the UNICEF experience with Iran in a leadership
role, do not foresee Iran politicizing this venue.
2. (SBU) Laine also stated that they hope this would not go
to secret ballot as that is unprecedented. He also commented
that Iran has no special status in the UN at this time that
provides a formal reason to block them; such as boycott or
security resolutions. Laine noted that UNDP connotes only
"mild" political action and addresses strictly social
development.
3. (SBU) Government of Finland (GoF) does not yet have the EU
official position on the vote. The EU is expected to
coordinate its position today or tomorrow morning and the GoF
prefers to join a unified EU position.
BARRETT