VZCZCXYZ0005
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHHE #0351 1341352
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 141352Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3347
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000351
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS NATO EUN FI
SUBJECT: A CLEAR CHANGE OF TONE: FINNISH FOREIGN MINISTER
KEEN ON IMPROVING TRANS-ATLANTIC RELATIONS
REF: HELSINKI 321
Classified By: PolChief Greg Thome, Reasons 1.5 (b) (d).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Foreign Minister Kanerva underscored to
Ambassador Ware the new GOF's intention to improve the US-
Finnish bilateral relationship, and he highlighted the
shared foreign policy challenges the US and the EU face in
Russia. The Ambassador urged more Finnish funding for
peacekeeping operations (PKO). She also encouraged Kanerva
to use his June meeting with the Secretary to describe
exactly how Finland intends to become more involved in NATO
and in collaborating with the US to implement the Freedom
Agenda in Russia and the new neighborhood. END SUMMARY.
A Strong NATO is Key to a Strong EU
-----------------------------------
2. (SBU) On May 11, Ambassador Ware made her first call on
Finland's new Foreign Minister, Ilkka Kanerva. Kanerva
opened by highlighting trans-Atlantic relations and the new
GOF's attitude toward NATO. While there are no specific
bilateral problems, he said, the GOF is committed to
improving the tone and promoting "the vital nature of the
Finnish-USA relationship." The Ambassador thanked Kanerva
for helping set a new tone for the relationship, noting
that it was already evident. She added that when
differences of opinion did arise, she welcomed addressing
those frankly and openly, but via diplomatic channels --
not through the press. Kanerva discretely acknowledged the
allusion to his predecessor, and wholeheartedly concurred.
3. (SBU) Within the context of the new GOF's focus on
improved trans-Atlantic relations, Kanerva said that
civilian and military crisis management (CM) are a key
component. EU and NATO CM efforts must complement one
another, he continued, because for the EU to be strong and
promote its values in Europe and beyond, it depends on
collaboration with NATO. Although not a NATO member,
Finland can and will take a more active role in promoting
EU-NATO collaboration, he added. Kanerva then established
a clean break from the previous government, stating clearly
that "we do not intend to hide our NATO agenda. We will
discuss it." He welcomed the Ambassador's arguments in
favor of increased annual CM budgets to allow for more
Finnish peacekeepers in the field, and he also noted that
the GOF intends to join the Strategic Airlift Consortium.
A Shared Challenge: Russia
--------------------------
4. (C) Turning to our shared foreign policy challenges,
Kanerva said good relations with Russia were an imperative
for Finland. However, Moscow's recent behavior toward
Estonia and Kosovo made this difficult, and EU-Russia
relations had clearly become strained. Kanerva underscored
the GOF's solidarity with Tallinn during the Bronze Statue
crisis and reminded us of his public calls for a joint EU
policy response to Russia's heavy-handed tactics. He also
referred with some dismay to the strange letter Russian FM
Lavrov sent to several EU foreign ministers, describing it
as "unsophisticated" and inappropriately worded. Clearly,
he added, the GOF did not agree with Lavrov's version of
events. Likewise, the GOF shares US concerns about
Russia's response in Kosovo and the likelihood that Moscow
will veto a UNSCR on final status. Kanerva and the
Ambassador agreed that the Secretary's visit to Moscow and
the EU-Russia Summit -- both scheduled for the week of May
14 -- offered important opportunities for the US and the EU
to send a unified message to Russia on these and other
issues of concern.
A Clear Finnish Agenda for June Bilateral
-----------------------------------------
5. (SBU) Regarding Kanerva's scheduled June bilateral with
the Secretary, the Ambassador urged him to present a clear
agenda as to how Finland can show leadership in bolstering
trans-Atlantic relations; in enhancing crisis management;
and in collaborating with the US to implement the Freedom
Agenda. Highlighting the new GOF's plans to join the NATO
Response Force (NRF) and the Strategic Air Consortium would
be a good start, as would confirmation of plans to
eventually take leadership of a PRT in Afghanistan. But of
equal importance would some type of Finnish roadmap
regarding how the GOF can work with the US to promote
democracy and transformation in Russia, Belarus, or the
Balkans. Kanerva acknowledged that Finland played this
kind of role in the Baltic states prior to their joining
the EU, and assured us that he would go to Washington with
an agenda to share.
WARE