FINLAND'S VIEWS ON JAN 25 FAC TOPICS

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000035 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2020 TAGS: BK EU FI HA IR MAS PHUM PK PREL SO YM SUBJECT: FINLAND'S VIEWS ON JAN 25 FAC TOPICS REF: A. KONICK TO EU POSTS JAN 16 EMAIL ¶B. ARNOLD TO KONICK/EU-ERA JAN 22 EMAIL Classified By: P/E Chief Scott Brandon, Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a January 22 meeting with PolEconOff, Finnish Acting Deputy European Correspondent Juha Mustonen received U.S. points on FAC agenda items contained in ref A and provided the following responses, previously reported in ref B email. In general Finland supported almost all U.S. positions reflected in the points with exceptions as noted below. END SUMMARY. -------------- IRAN -------------- ¶2. (C) According to Mustonen, the EU is keen to have Ashton play the same role Solana filled in the E 3 3. Regarding nuclear-related sanctions, the focus of discussion will likely be on passing sanctions at the UN while taking steps internal to the EU to ensure rapid and effective implementation, rather than on EU sanctions independent of UN authorization. Some governments seem inclined to link the human rights issue with the nuclear one, willing to turn a blind eye to the human rights violations if this helps resolve the nuclear problem. Finland opposes this, Mustonen noted, while confirming that it called in the Iranian Charge in Helsinki last week for the fourth time since the June elections to complain about the deteriorating human rights situation. -------------- BOSNIA -------------- ¶3. (C) Finland thinks that the time is right for the EUSR to be established separately from OHR, as the EUSR can then focus on reforms needed to pave the way for membership, revealed Mustonen. Finland believes Bosnian leaders should be given a strong message that they are in danger of becoming the laggards of the neighborhood in regard to progress towards EU and NATO membership. Finland would like to see the EU condemn the actions of the RS leadership which contravene Dayton and thinks it may be possible to apply pressure through Serbia as well. The status quo is not an option in Finnish eyes, according to Mustonen, while predicting that the FAC will allow EUFOR to perform both executive and non-executive mandated missions. -------------- SOMALIA -------------- ¶4. (C) The EU is increasingly looking at the Horn of Africa and Yemen as one ecosystem, and Yemen will likely be discussed concurrently with Somalia. Regional players are key, especially those of the GCC. FM Stubb discussed Somalia on his recent trip to the Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. Finland sees the Spanish idea for a conference on Somalia with TFG participation as positive, since the TFG,s mandate is up next year and they needed to be pushed to increase contact with the moderate opposition which remains outside of the Djibouti process. EU Somalia envoy Pekka Haavisto will travel to Addis Ababa and possible elsewhere in the region at the end of January. Finland sees a possibility to contribute a small number of trainers to the EU training mission for Somali forces in Uganda which the FAC will approve. Mustonen repeated that the GOF has a political mandate to take part in ATALANTA but no resources are yet available. The EU is looking at the possibility of prosecuting pirates in South Africa, Mauritius, and Uganda, though the latter is problematic due to its use of the death penalty. -------------- YEMEN -------------- ¶5. (C) There will be conclusions on Yemen, affirmed Mustonen. It is currently on its way to becoming a failed state, and Finland welcomed the focus on the issue at the FAC and the London conference to follow. The EU wants to encourage reforms by the ROYG in the areas of rule of law, border control, human- and arms-trafficking, and anti-piracy measures. Involvement of the GCC countries is key as is increased EU-U.S. cooperation, the latter of which should be strengthened by the London conference. It may be helpful for the U.S. and the EU to coordinate on messages to the UN and World Bank about their development programs in Yemen. The GCC might be a good partner in projects focused on antiterrorism and anti-piracy, opined Mustonen. -------------- AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN -------------- ¶6. (C) According to Mustonen, the EU needs to have a Pakistan discussion in the FAC before the summit with Pakistan in the spring, and the ground hasn,t yet been prepared for this. The GOF didn,t have talking points regarding Afghan parliamentary elections to share with us, as they didn't seem to have expected it to be discussed. The likely themes the EU will adopt for London Conference include Afghan ownership, civilian coordination, and stronger EU leadership and internal coordination. The EU will build on the conclusions adopted in December GAERC regarding developing local/regional government and strengthening reintegration. Finland will likely to focus more attention on agricultural development with a view to providing livelihoods to demobilized fighters. Finland seeks a stronger role and more support for UNAMA and improved NATO-UN-EU coordination at all levels. -------------- HAITI -------------- ¶7. (C) The FAC will follow-up conclusions of the 18 Jan exceptional FAC. We can expect increased EU humanitarian aid to be sent via the UN. Finland would like to see Haiti used as a test-case for the Transatlantic Sustainable Development Dialogue (a Finnish initiative). Security is not yet critical, and Finland would rather not see the EU take a direct role in that area, but the EU will support the UN effort and U.S. presence. ORECK