Cablegate: Finns On the July Gaerc
VZCZCXRO8315
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHHE #0555 2011347
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201347Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3597
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS HELSINKI 000555
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EUN ENRG ETRD ETTC KPAL PGOV PREL SOCI FI
SUBJECT: FINNS ON THE JULY GAERC
REF: STATE 80034
PolChief delivered reftel demarche to Acting European
Correspondent Niklas Lindqvist on July 18. Lindqvist
highlighted the following:
KOSOVO: The GOF is firmly behind Ahtisaari and
agrees with our points. The GOF is so fully behind
Ahtisaari, in fact, that it still is waiting for a UNSCR,
and not even thinking about establishing an official
position on what it might do if Kosovo declares
independence. The GOF does not reject continued
negotiations, but does reject something that might lead
to "marginalizing" Ahtisaari's plan.
UKRAINE: General agreement on our points, although the
GOF does not expect strong messages on energy or weapons
issues to emerge from the GAERC. The tone of the
upcoming EU-Ukraine summit will be positive, Finnish MFA
says, although emphasis will be placed on free and fair
September elections.
IRAN: Member states will get a detailed report from
Solana; no conclusions expected. The Finnish national
position agrees with our points (albeit not overly
enthusiastic agreement on further sanctions). The Finns
also want the EU to focus pressure on two tracks:
pressuring Iran not only on the nuclear issue, but also
on its dismal human rights record.
SUDAN: The GOF expects a lot of discussion at the GAERC
about a potential EU mission, and hopes for a strong
signal from France regarding its intention to deploy an
ESDP mission to Chad. Finns are hopeful that this will
lead to a more operational EU role, particularly in
providing military support to the eventual EU police
mission in Darfur. Our contacts heard our message on
sanctions, but did not think this would be a major
component of GAERC deliberations.
WARE