

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 04HELSINKI1420, SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JONES VISIT TO
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #04HELSINKI1420.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
04HELSINKI1420 | 2004-11-04 17:35 | 2011-04-24 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Helsinki |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 HELSINKI 001420
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR A/S JONES AND SPECIAL ASSISTANT GRENCIK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR MCAP PTER IZ AF RS CH FI EUN
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY JONES VISIT TO
HELSINKI
REF: A. HELSINKI 1221
¶B. HELSINKI 1360
¶C. HELSINKI 1281
¶D. HELSINKI 1288
Classified By: Ambassador Earle I. Mack for reasons 1.5(B) and (D)
Summary
-------
¶1. (C) Your visit to Helsinki, coming just days after the
U.S. election, will be an excellent opportunity to review our
bilateral and multilateral agenda with Finnish leaders, and
to stress the value of our close relationship with Finland
and Europe. Finnish President Halonen has sent a telegram
to the White House offering President Bush her "heartfelt
congratulations" on his re-election and expressing her
confidence that the "excellent cooperation" between the two
presidents will continue in the future. In a similar message
PM Vanhanen stressed the "great responsibility and worldwide
trust" connected with the U.S. Presidency; in earlier
comments he had underlined the importance of the
trans-Atlantic partnership in facing issues of global
concern.
¶2. (C) The Finns will use the opportunity to ask what changes
in U.S. foreign policy may be in the wings. They will also
want to hear your assessment of events in Russia after
Beslan. They will expect you to ask about their new White
Paper on foreign and security policy, which reaffirms
Finland,s nonalignment but keeps open the NATO option,
supports the EU's rapid reaction force, and commits the GoF
to signing the Ottawa Convention by 2012. We recommend you
thank the Finns for their support for reconstruction in Iraq
(including a commitment of one million euros for the UN
protection force), and for their multiple contributions in
Afghanistan. End Summary.
Assessing the Election
----------------------
¶3. (SBU) On November 3, before the result of the U.S.
Presidential election was known, Finnish President Halonen,
PM Vanhanen, and Speaker of Parliament Lipponen all said they
did not expect the outcome of the election to affect
bilateral relations, which Halonen termed "stable and good."
Halonen (who was attending an EU meeting in Brussels, and may
have felt the need to speak guardedly) added, however, that
if President Bush were returned to office she hoped the
Administration would re-visit its Iraq policy. PM Vanhanen
spoke in broader terms: "Issues such as worldwide
cooperation, general stability, terrorism, and global
development continue to feature on the agenda ... and here a
good partnership between Europe and the United States is
needed." On November 4, Halonen and Vanhanen both sent
congratulatory telegrams to the White House. Halonen offered
President Bush her "warm greeting and ... heartfelt
congratulations," as well as "my anticipation that our
excellent cooperation will continue in the future." In his
message PM Vanhanen stressed the "great responsibility and
worldwide trust" connected with the U.S. Presidency. An
editorial in the "Helsingin Sanomat," Finland's leading
daily, argued that "it takes two to build bridges, and
Europeans would be wise to do their part. The result of a
democratic election has to be respected. Creating more
conflicts across the Atlantic does not on this side of the
ocean serve anybody's true interests."
¶4. (C) The Finns, with their strong preference for
multilateral action and their commitment to the
trans-Atlantic relationship, will want to know if any gesture
to Europe will be forthcoming from a second Bush
administration. FM Tuomioja may also express to you the hope
that the second administration will adopt a more
"multilateralist" strategy during its second term (ignoring
the fact that the first administration spent months working
for unity in the UNSC before Operation Iraqi Freedom). The
PM and FM may ask whether Russian ratification of the Kyoto
Protocol will make a difference to the USG, or whether any
new initiatives can be expected in the arms control area.
Iraq
----
¶5. (C) The GoF -- FM Tuomioja in particular -- was critical
of OIF, which began only days after the Finnish general
election in March 2003. Then, in the weeks that followed,
new Center Party PM Anneli Jaatteenmaki was forced out of
office over allegations that she had released classified MFA
documents regarding conversations with the U.S. on Iraq.
Center's Matti Vanhanen took over as PM, and since then has
sought to calm the domestic political waters roiled by
"Iraq-Gate." In March 2004, two Finnish businessmen visiting
Baghdad as part of an exploratory trade delegation were
killed, further decreasing GoF interest in Finns
participating in any mission inside Iraq for the foreseeable
future.
¶6. (C) Nevertheless, the GoF has sought and found ways to
assist in Iraqi reconstruction. They made an early
commitment of one million euros to help fund the UN
Protection Force (reiterated by President Halonen in her UNGA
speech); the Finns have provided ten instructors for the
police academy in Amman; and they are prominent as one of the
small donors (five million euros) to the IRFFI. In your
conversations with the PM and FM, they will be interested in
your assessment of how reconstruction in Iraq is proceeding,
including the prospects for free and fair elections.
Afghanistan
-----------
¶7. (C) Finland has been a solid partner in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is now one of the largest recipients of Finnish
development assistance (10 million euros this year), and
approximately 70 Finnish troops are serving under ISAF
auspices, including CIMIC troops in Kabul and twenty soldiers
with the UK/Finnish/Norwegian PRT in the north. Several
Finnish politicians have visited Afghanistan, including the
Parliamentary Human Rights caucus. We recommend you thank
the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for Finland's early
contributions to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Russia
------
¶8. (C) The stability of political and commercial relations
with Russia -- and therefore the stability of Russia itself
-- will always be of vital importance to the Finns. In
recent conversations, they have said that while day-to-day
interactions with the Russians continue on track, Finns are
concerned about long-term trends. FM Tuomioja told the
Ambassador September 15 that "the signs are less encouraging
than they have been for some time." (Ref A) It is
understandable that "the appalling events in Beslan have
affected Russia seriously," said the FM; "we only hope they
draw the right conclusions." He worries that Putin seems to
be relying more and more on people who are not by inclination
natural democrats. Your Finnish interlocutors will be very
interested to hear your own assessment, and likely will quiz
you about the atmosphere you encountered in your most recent
trip to Moscow.
The White Paper
---------------
¶9. (C) The GoF's long-awaited white paper on national
security policy was completed and sent to Parliament for
their review in September. In it the government reaffirms
Finland,s nonalignment, although "applying for membership in
the Alliance will remain a possibility ... in the future."
The White Paper has since been criticized by some of the
nation's most committed trans-Atlanticists for being too
timid in its treatment of Finland,s need for allies. One
commentator said the White Paper was "born old" in failing to
note modern realities in Russia. MP Liisa Jaakonsaari, the
SDP's chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, criticized
Finland,s foreign policy as lacking direction.
¶10. (C) The White Paper probably represents the limits of the
possible insofar as NATO membership is concerned, given that
public opinion remains strongly against membership. (One
recent poll showed 80% opposed.) Foreign Minister Tuomioja
told us last year that he did not expect the NATO question to
arise during this Parliamentary term (2003-2007). But that
does not change the reality of Finland's position. The Finns
see NATO as the foundation for trans-Atlantic security. They
have made NATO interoperability one of the guiding principles
of their armed forces, they are strong supporters of PfP, and
they welcomed the Baltic nations' entry into the Alliance.
(MFA PolDir Lyra worried, though, that NATO planners were
pressing the three new members too hard to shift capabilities
away from territorial defense to crisis management.) The
White Paper does state that "Finland considers a strong
trans-Atlantic relationship to be important for the security
of Europe;" Finland will foster that relationship on a
bilateral basis with the U.S., as well as through the EU and
the PfP.
¶11. (C) The White Paper restated that territorial defense is
the fundamental mission of Finland,s armed forces, but
commits the nation for the first time to providing combat
troops to EU rapid reaction forces. It mentions repeatedly
the need to combat terrorism, but does not provide much
information on how the GoF is organized to do that. And in
one of its most controversial decisions, it commits Finland
to signing the Ottawa Convention by 2012, and destroying its
anti-personnel landmines by 2016.
The Finnish EU Presidency (July-December 2006)
--------------------------------------------- -
¶12. (C) The Finns may be the last EU president under the old
system, since the Constitution Treaty is scheduled to take
effect during their tenure. The Finns are acutely aware of
this, and have already started preparations to make the most
of the opportunity. (We are told, for example, that one of
the reasons for FM Tuomioja's surprise choice of Pilvi-Sisko
Vierros-Villeneuve to succeed Markus Lyra as Political
Director was her past experience in Brussels during
Finland,s last presidency.) The Finns have said that
strengthening trans-Atlantic relations will be one of the
themes of their presidency.
China Arms Embargo
------------------
¶13. (C) We have heard that there is a split within MFA
between those (including Vierros-Villeneuve, currently
Nonproliferation chief) who genuinely believe that the Code
of Conduct can and should be made to function efficiently to
stop the kinds of high-tech exports that the Chinese most
want, and those in the human rights section, who agree with
the U.S. that lifting the embargo would send the wrong
signal. The Embassy recommends that you stress to the FM
that lifting the EU arms embargo sends the wrong message at
the wrong time to China, and may give the Chinese Government
the impression that it can act with impunity with regard to
serious violations of human rights.
¶14. (C) In conversations with the Ambassador reported in Refs
C and D, MFA Under Secretary Laajava and Presidential Chief
of Staff Kalela both agreed in principle with the reasoning
behind the U.S. position. The Ambassador asked whether a
call from Secretary Powell to President Halonen would be
useful, caveating the question by saying we would not want to
embarrass either President Halonen or the Secretary by
putting them in an awkward position. Both Laajava and Kalela
said that such a call might be useful, although neither could
guarantee it would change Finland's position.
War on Terror
-------------
¶15. (C) Finland is an ally in the fight against global
terrorism, but Finns believe the possibility of an attack on
Finnish soil remote. FM Tuomioja in particular is concerned
that civil liberties not be lost in the rush to investigate
and prevent terrorist attacks. For example, he has been
critical of U.S. policy regarding the Guantanamo detainees
and the Abu Ghraib scandal and may raise these with you.
Trafficking-in-Persons
----------------------
¶16. (U) Tuomioja may complain to you about Finland's Tier 2
ranking. We recommend that you thank the Finns for hosting
the September OSCE/ODIHR conference on the rights of
trafficking victims, and note the passage of new legislation
making trafficking a separate legal offense -- but stress
that a better record in prosecution and victim assistance is
needed.
The "Helsinki Process"
----------------------
¶17. (SBU) Tuomioja is the co-chair (with the Tanzanian FM) of
the Helsinki Group, the steering committee for the Helsinki
Process that was launched in 2002 to promote a more just and
equitable globalization process. Tuomioja and President
Halonen are interested in the negative effects of
globalization and deeply committed to fostering a North-South
dialogue aimed at ameliorating these effects. To that end,
the Helsinki Process sponsors regular conferences and
seminars about global problem solving, the global economic
agenda, and human security in all of its forms. President
Halonen's speech before the UNGA in September centered on
globalization, its inherent inequities, and the urgent need
for the developed and developing world to work together to
redress these. (On the same day Halonen suggested to the
press in New York that an international tribunal be formed to
determine the legality of OIF.) For his part, the Foreign
Minister's bilateral meetings in New York during the UNGA's
opening week were all related to the Helsinki Process. It is
possible the Foreign Minister will raise this during your
meeting. You may wish to ask him about the Helsinki Group's
upcoming report on globalization, due to be released in the
spring of 2005.
MACK