Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 12079 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
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

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 96 97 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/06
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1992/01 1992/06 1992/12
1993/10
1996/11
1997/12
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/10 2001/11
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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 Freetown
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
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 New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Naples
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
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
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
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 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
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AMGT ASEC AFIN AS AMED AORC AF AM AJ AU AE AR ABLD AG AY ASIG AEMR APER AMBASSADOR ASEAN AA AL ASUP ABUD AX APECO AID AUC ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG ADANA AFFAIRS AND AN ADCO ARM ATRN AECL AADP ACOA APEC AGRICULTURE ACS ADPM ASCH AMEX ACAO ANET AODE ARF ACBAQ APCS AMG AQ AMCHAMS AORG AGAO ADM AFSI AFSN AINF AIT ASEX AORL AGR AO AROC ACABQ ATFN AFGHANISTAN AFU AER ALOW AC AZ AVERY AGMT
BEXP BR BA BRUSSELS BL BM BH BTIO BIDEN BO BT BC BU BY BX BG BK BF BBSR BMGT BTIU BE BD BWC BB BP BN BILAT
CO CODEL CASC CA CFED CH CMGT CW CVIS CI CU CONDOLEEZZA CR CSW CPAS CS CJUS CY CDG CE CG CBW COUNTER CN CKGR COUNTERTERRORISM CWC CJAN CIA CD CLINTON CT CARSON CONS CB CM CLMT CROS CNARC CIDA CBSA CIC CEUDA CHR CITT CAC CACM CVR CDC CAPC COPUOS CBC CBE COM CARICOM CDB CAN COE COUNTRY CLEARANCE CACS CF CL CIS CTM CV CICTE
DR DEA DA DOMESTIC DHS DAO DCM DEPT DTRA DPRK DEFENSE DE DJ DISENGAGEMENT DOD DEAX DOE DK DS
EAGR ECON EFIN EINV EC ETRD ELAB EPET ENRG ECPS EAID EUN EU EAIR ETTC ECIN EIND EWWT ELTN EFIS EK ES EN EG EPA ER EI EZ ET EINVECONSENVCSJA ECONOMICS EXTERNAL ELN ELECTIONS EMIN EINN EFINECONCS ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ENIV ECUN EINT ENGR ENNP EUR EAP EEPET ETRDEINVTINTCS ENVI EFTA ETRO ESENV ECINECONCS ENVR ECONOMY ECONOMIC EUMEM EAIDS ETRA ETRN EUREM EFIM EIAR EXIM ERD EAIG ETRC EXBS EURN ERNG EINVEFIN ECIP EINDETRD EUC EREL ECA ENERG ENGY ECONCS EINVETC ECONEFIN ESA ETC ETRDECONWTOCS EUNCH
FI FJ FR FTA FREEDOM FTAA FARC FAO FMLN FBI FOR FOREIGN FINANCE FO FISO FDA FAC FOI FM FAS FINR
GOV GAERC GT GG GM GV GH GOI GA GTIP GR GZ GE GCC GY GANGS GL GLOBAL GERARD GF GAZA GTMO
HR HO HA HK HUMAN HU HILLARY HSTC HUMOR HEBRON HI HURI HYMPSK
IR IWC IN IZ ICAO IV IRS IC IS IT IZPREL IRAQI IO IAEA ID ITPHUM ITPGOV ITALIAN IPR INRB IMO ITALY ICRC INTERPOL IQ ICTY INTELSAT IEFIN IA INR IRC IACI ITRA IL ICJ INTERNAL ISRAELI INMARSAT ITU ILC IBRD IMF ILO IDP ITF IBET IGAD IEA IAHRC ICTR IDA INDO IIP INRA INRO IRAJ IF
JA JP JO JOSEPH JOHNNIE JM JUS JAMES
KJUS KSCA KOLY KTFN KCRM KPAO KMDR KDEM KIDE KSTH KOMC KISL KN KNNP KS KIPR KMPI KZ KG KRVC KICC KIRC KTIA KTIP KWMN KVPR KV KHLS KU KIRF KR KACT KPKO KTDB KGHG KFRD KCOR KE KSUM KPAL KSEP KSTC KGIC KFLO KAWC KUNR KNPP KNEI KBIO KPRP KWBG KMCA KCIP KTEX KGIT KNSD KCFE KLIG KFLU KBCT KOMS KBTS KCRS KGCC KDRG KWMM KAWK KHIV KSPR KRAD KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KOCI KPAI KHSA KTLA KO KFSC KVIR KX KFTFN KHDP KPLS KSAF KMFO KRCM KCSY KSAC KPWR KTRD KID KWNM KMRS KICA KRIM KSEO KPOA KCHG KREC KOM KRGY KCMR KSCI KFIN KVRP KPAONZ KCGC KNAR KMOC KCOM KESS KAID KNUC KWAC KMIG KSEC KIFR KDEMAF KPIN KPRV KBTR KERG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNUP KTER KDDG KPAK KREL KNNPMNUC KRFD KHUM KDEV KCFC KWWMN KTBT KWMNCS KJUST
LE LY LU LTTE LI LO LH LG LAB LA LABOR LOG LT
MARR MNUC MASS MX MOPS MCAP MIL MO MU MEPI MR MDC MPOS MEETINGS MD MTCRE MK MUCN MY MASC MRCRE ML MA MEPP MAR MAPP MP MT MAS MTS MLS MI MERCOSUR MV MEDIA MILI MG MW MIK MTCR MARAD MEPN MC MZ MOPPS MAPS MCC MASSMNUC MQADHAFI MTRE
NZ NZUS NU NL NATO NO NAFTA NDP NIPP NP NS NPT NI NATIONAL NPG NGO NG NK NSSP NRR NSG NSC NPA NORAD NT NW NEW NH NSF NV NR NE NSFO NC NA NAR NASA
OREP OTRA OIIP OPRC OVIP OPIC OEXC OAS OSCE ODIP OSAC OPDC OFDP OIE OECD OPCW OVP OPAD OFDA OIC OSCI OMIG OBSP ON OCS OCII OHUM OES OTR OFFICIALS
PGOV PTER PREL PINR PHUM PREF PROP PK PARM POL PE PINS PSOE PAK PBTS PHSA PAO PM PF PNAT POLITICS PARMS PBIO PSI POLINT POLITICAL PARTIES PL PA PO PGOVLO PORG PGOVE PLN PINF PRELP PAS PPA PRGOV PUNE PG PALESTINIAN POLICY PROG PDEM PREFA PDOV PCI PRAM PTBS PSA POSTS PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PGIV PHUMPGOV PCUL PSEPC PREO PAHO PMIL PNG PP PS PHUH PEPR PINT PU PECON POGOV PINL PKFK PY PFOR PHALANAGE PARTY PMAR PHUMPREL PHUS PRL PGOC PNR PGGV PROV PTERE PGOF PHUMBA PEL POV
QA
RS RICE RUPREL RU RIGHTS RO RW RSP RP REACTION REPORT RCMP RSO RF RFE RM RIGHTSPOLMIL ROBERT REGION
SENV SMIG SNAR SOCI SCUL SW SP SZ SA SY SENVKGHG SU SF SAN SR SO SHUM SYR SAARC SL SI SNARCS SWE SN SARS SPCE SNARIZ SCRS SC SIPDIS SEN SNARN SPCVIS SYRIA SEVN SSA STEINBERG SG SIPRS SH SOFA SANC SK ST
TPHY TRGY TBIO TSPA TW TC TX TU TI TN TS TT TO TH TSPL TIP TP TERRORISM TURKEY TD TZ TFIN TNGD TINT THPY TBID TF TL TV TAGS TK TR TRSY
UNGA UN UNSC UZ USEU US UK UP USTR UNMIK USUN UNESCO UNHRC UY UNO UG UNDC UAE UNAUS UNDESCO UNHCR UNEP UNCHC UNFICYP UNCHR USNC UNIDROIT UNCSD UNDP UNC UNODC USOAS UNPUOS UNCND USPS UNICEF UV UNCHS UNVIE UE USAID
VN VZ VT VE VTPREL VM VI VAT VC
WTO WHO WS WTRO WITH WTRQ WBG WI WHA WMD WMO WIPO WHTI WFP WB WWARD WA WEU WZ
XF XK XM XV XR XG XT XA XH XL XS XW XY XE XD XZ XX XTAG XQ XB XU XI XC
YM YI YMCS YE
ZR ZP ZI ZANU ZU ZO ZB ZL ZK ZF ZEALAND ZN ZA ZOELLICK ZJ

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 06HELSINKI355, HIGHLIGHTS OF ADMIRAL COLLINS VISIT TO FINLAND,

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.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
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. #06HELSINKI355.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06HELSINKI355 | 2006-04-27 11:11 | 2011-04-24 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Helsinki

`

    VZCZCXYZ0001
    OO RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHHE #0355/01 1171128
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    O 271128Z APR 06
    FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1797
    RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-CI//
    INFO RUEGABF/COGARD MIO EUROPE ROTTERDAM NL
    RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
    RHFJUSC/USCUSTOMS WASHDC
    RUEAIAO/HQ ICE IAO WASHINGTON DC
    RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHDC

` `

    UNCLAS HELSINKI 000355

    SIPDIS

    DHS FOR US COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY DIRECTORATE
    DHS FOR TSA-INTL AFFAIRS
    ICE FOR FOREIGN OPS DIVISION
    CBP FOR OIA-KTHOMSEN
    DOT FOR MARAD

    SENSITIVE

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: PTER PHSA EWWT SENV IMO FI
    SUBJECT: HIGHLIGHTS OF ADMIRAL COLLINS VISIT TO FINLAND,
    MARCH 28 - April 1, 2006

    ¶1. (U) Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast
    Guard, visited Finland, March 28 - April 1, 2006.  Finnish
    Chief of the Border Guard, Vice Admiral Jaakko Smolander,
    was the host of the visit.  The Admiral's itinerary
    included meetings with senior GoF officials, briefings by
    the Finnish Border Guard (FBG), and visits to operational
    units in Helsinki, on the Russian border and West coast.

    --------------------------------------
    THE FINNISH APPROACH TO BORDER CONTROL
    --------------------------------------

    ¶2.  (SBU) An introductory meeting at FBG headquarters on 28
    March provided Admiral Collins and the Ambassador an
    overview of Finnish border control threat perspectives and
    strategy.  From the Finnish perspective, the primary border
    threat areas are the Mediterranean and, in the future, from
    the Balkans.  There is strong migrant pressure from North
    Africa into Spain and the Canary Islands; and cocaine
    smuggling from South America.  Border security in southern
    European countries is hindered by the absence of a coast
    guard function; coastal security there is usually a
    national police responsibility.  FBG noted that illegal
    migrants and criminals do not travel through Russia and
    Belarus, since the route is longer and more dangerous.
    Trafficking in persons (TIP) is a problem, but Finland is
    primarily a transit country.  The largest problem is
    presented by people who apply for asylum and then
    disappear.  Admiral Collins noted that the USG is aware of
    and commends Finland for its progress against TIP.

    ¶3.  (SBU) Finland's four-tier approach to border security
    consists of (1) posting consular and liaison officers in
    other countries; notably, as of 1 April, one Border Guard
    officer will be serving in the Finnish Embassy in Beijing;
    (2) cooperating with neighboring countries' border, customs
    and police; (3) conducting border and customs control
    (border control consists of surveillance plus checks at
    crossing points); (4) conducting domestic activities
    pertaining to alien control.

    ¶4.  (SBU) EU countries in the Schengen area have no
    controls at internal borders, but border control remains a
    national competence and responsibility.  Admiral Collins
    observed that this arrangement creates seams, making the EU
    only as safe as its weakest link.  Admiral Collins
    questioned whether this arrangement was creating pressure
    for more integrated solutions, such as a European Coast
    Guard.  Smolander said such a concept had been discussed,
    but that the member states believe that border control is a
    national responsibility and cannot be shared.

    ¶5.  (SBU) During the briefing, FBG noted that the GoF
    intends to propose a common EU border strategy calling for
    increased transparency of the border through risk analysis
    and inspections, interagency cooperation, joint resources
    and readiness for operations, and improved liaison and
    operations with neighboring and source countries.
    Smolander said that Germany and the Netherlands would
    probably support the proposal.  Admiral Collins noted that
    a common surveillance system is the key to transparency;
    joint resources are best employed through deployable,
    common units; and military-law enforcement cooperation is
    essential.

    -----------------------------------------
    MEETING AT THE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
    -----------------------------------------

    ¶6.  (SBU) In a 29 March meeting with Finnish Minister of
    the Interior, Kari Rajamaki, the Minister and the Admiral
    discussed Finnish and U.S. threats and security
    perspectives.  (The Ambassador did not attend this
    meeting).  Minister Rajamaki said illegal immigration is an
    increasing problem that is regarded as a human rights issue
    within the EU; and trafficking in persons is a global crime
    that has surpassed the illegal drug trade.  Admiral Collins
    said that immigration -- which is a major issue in the U.S.

    -- is a complex, global issue; and that regional and
    multilateral solutions are needed to help build glbal
    understanding.  The Admiral noted that accounability and
    transparency are essential for security.  For the maritime,the USG is seeking a strong audit mechanism -- such as what
    currently exists for the aviation communty; as well as an
    international system for Long Range Identification and
    Tracking of vessels.  Admiral Collins said that for the
    U.S. 9/11 was a transformational event, that the USG cannot
    approach security unilaterally -- regional and global
    partnerships are essential.  Rajamaki noted that the Madrid
    bombing was a transformational event for Europe, and
    affirmed that the GoF wants to be involved in strengthening
    these international security ties.

    --------------------------------------------- -----------
    MEETING AT THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
    (MINTC)
    --------------------------------------------- -----------

    ¶7.  (SBU) For Admiral Collins meeting at MINTC, Finnish
    attendees included Juhani Korpela (Permanent Secretary,
    MINTC), Silja Ruokala (International Affairs, MINTC), Rauli
    Parmes (Security, MINTC), Jari Gron (Logistics, MINTC),
    Paavo Wihuri (Maritime Safety/Security, Finnish Maritime
    Administration).  (The Ambassador did not attend this
    briefing).  Korpela noted that transportation security is a
    priority item on the Finnish agenda, and the GoF plans to
    address it through the Security and Safety in Global
    Intermodal Transport program.  Korpela also offered that it
    may be of interest to the USG to learn more about Finnish
    icebreaking capabilities.  Wihuri noted that Finnish ports
    conduct background checks on each employee.  Truck drivers
    are escorted as they drive trucks on boats.

    ¶8.  (SBU) Admiral Collins outlined USCG responsibilities,
    and noted that the USCG has been active within the IMO on
    safety and security, particularly ISPS.  USCG wants to
    partner robustly around the world, and it is in everybody's
    interest to ensure the regime is working.  Sub-standard
    ships must be prohibited; and the USCG looks to countries
    like Finland to be aggressive and to exchange best
    practices.  Domestic legislation requires USCG to visit
    trading partners to see how they are implementing port
    security.

    ¶9.  (SBU) Admiral Collins said that the current USCG agenda
    includes a formal port assessment for Finland in 2007, and
    that we welcome the Finns to see our ports in the US.  The
    USCG is working with China to help other nations develop
    security in their transportation systems.  If there are
    possibilities to do that in Europe with Finland, USG is
    interested, particularly with regard to West Africa.  USCG
    may look into replacing two icebreakers that are nearing
    the end of their lifecycles.  There is a national debate on
    who will build the icebreakers and who will pay for them.

    --------------------------------------------- -
    BRIEFING FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
    --------------------------------------------- -

    ¶10.  (SBU) Admiral Collins provided a USCG overview
    briefing to Finnish MPs Jari Vilen (Grand Committee,
    chairman), Kimmo Kiljunen (Grand Committee, vice chairman),
    Eero Akaan-Penttila (Grand Committee), Veijo Puhjo
    (Administrative Committee, vice-chairman) and Lauri Oinonen
    (Administrative Committee).  (The Ambassador did not attend
    this briefing).  The Admiral observed that the lack of
    clarity in IMO positions between the European Commission
    and individual countries made it difficult to develop a
    common approach to common issues; and underscored the
    purpose of LRIT, the importance of establishing an ICAO
    type of audit mechanism for IMO, and the need for greater
    transparency and accountability.

    ¶11.  (SBU) Vilen said he was pleased to hear the Admiral
    emphasize multilateral approaches, noting that previous
    unilateral USG actions had made it difficult to work with

    the Administration.  Vilen said the U.S. is Finland's most
    important partner, noting that the EU is in a pause
    following the defeat of the EU constitution and that the
    elections in France would have a huge effect on the EU.
    Vilen believes the EU must have a common approach to
    security matters; but because the EU is not a federal
    state, larger countries (Vilen noted France, UK, Germany,
    Spain, Poland) might have different ideas.  Since terrorism
    is also a threat in Finland -- the willingness to cooperate
    internationally is growing.  Vilen cited Finland's
    assistance during a recent oil slick in Estonian waters for
    which Estonia had not requested assistance; and the Police,
    Customs and Border Guard cooperation as a model that the
    GoF is seeking to introduce elsewhere.

    --------------------------------------------- --------
    FIELD SITE VISITS DEMONSTRATE FINNISH MODELS FOR
    INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
    --------------------------------------------- --------

    ¶12.  (SBU) Following the policy-level meetings in Helsinki,
    Admiral Collins, joined by the Ambassador, visited various
    field sites to obtain first-hand understanding of Border
    Guard operations and highlight areas of interagency
    cooperation.

    ¶13.  (SBU) On Thursday, 30 March, the delegation visited
    the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard Command Center in Helsinki
    and the Pelkola border crossing point on the Russian
    border; and participated in a snowmobile patrol along the
    Russian border.  The visit to the Coast Guard Command
    Center demonstrated the close operational level
    coordination among the FBG, the Finnish Navy and the
    Finnish Maritime Administration (FMA).  The FBG and FMA are
    collocated in the same building and on the same floor.  All
    three maritime authorities contribute data to build a
    single, unified maritime operational picture and can draw
    on this picture as the basis for conducting activities.
    Later, at the Pelkola border crossing point, the delegation
    received presentations about (1) FBG border checkpoint
    procedures that include the use of an EU-wide database to
    verify the identity of potential criminals; (2) methods and
    equipment Finland uses for detecting fraudulent documents;
    and (3) the working-level cooperation be Finnish police and
    customs officials.

    ¶14.  (SBU) On Friday, 31 March, the delegation visited the
    Western Finland Coast Guard District, and received
    briefings on the FBG Air Patrol unit in Turku.  Later the
    delegation embarked the renovated FBG ship, TURSAS, for a
    brief underway period in the Port of Turku that included an
    overview of ISPS implementation by the port director.

    ¶15.  (SBU) On Saturday, 1 April, just before departure, the
    Admiral received an overview briefing on the Police,
    Customs and Border Guard unit at the Helsinki-Vantaa
    international airport. (The Ambassador did not attend this
    briefing).

    ---------------------------
    FUTURE USCG-FBG COOPERATION
    ---------------------------

    ¶16.  (SBU) Admiral Collins' visit provides a solid
    foundation for future USG-GoF cooperation on a range of
    security issues.  Admiral Collins and Vice Admiral
    Smolander discussed potential areas for future USCG-FBG
    professional exchange.  Post looks forward to working with
    the USCG to advance both USCG-FBG cooperation and bilateral
    and EU policy objectives involving the USCG.

    WARE

`