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.

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IRAN
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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.

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BOSNIA
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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.

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SOMALIA
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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.

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YEMEN
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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.

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AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
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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.

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HAITI
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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