Cablegate: Finland: Gaerc Response

VZCZCXRO6929
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHHE #0772 2841355
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 111355Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3831
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000772

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EUN PGOV ETRD ETTC KPAL FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND: GAERC RESPONSE

REF: STATE 141316

1. (U) PolChief delivered subject demarche to Finnish MFA EU
Correspondent Leena-Kaisa Mikkola Oct. 11. Mikkola offered
the following:

2. (SBU) KOSOVO: Mikkloa said the GOF is focused now on
ensuring that legal and logistical mechanisms are in place to
ensure a continuing international presence in Kosovo
following Dec. 10 and the expected Kosovar unilateral
declaration of independence. The GOF fully shared our views
on all demarche points.

3. (SBU) RUSSIA: Finland remains very frustrated with the
lack of forward movement on a new Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement mandate, stalled since the Russian-Polish meat
export dispute derailed conclusion of a deal during the
Finnish presidency. However, FM Ilkka Kanerva will likely
raise the issue, given the important role an EU-Russia PCA
plays within Finland's own national foreign policy toward
Russia. Overall, the GOF shares the generally expressed
opinions view that expectations for this Summit should remain
low, given that EU-Russia relations "are not exactly in top
form right now."

4. (SBU) LIBYA: The GOF is pleased that trans-Atlantic
efforts appear to be producing results in Libya. Signs have
emerged, however, that Libya is "not enthusiastic" about some
of the obligations it agreed to (i.e., in the area of Human
rights) when it entered into Barcelona Process cooperation
with the EU. Nevertheless, the EU will continue cooperation
with Libya and welcomed the Secretary's announced visit
there, Mikkola said.

5. (SBU) Briefly on IRAN, Mikkola said that the Luxembourg
GAERC will not result in "new, defined EU autonomous
sanctions." However, many member states are interested in
exploring that possibility and there may be some "indication
of a way forward" after FM Kouchner briefs the GAERC.

6. (SBU) SYRIA-LEBANON BORDER: Mikkola was somewhat
optimistic about the future of this issue, given that Syria
appeared to be showing much more flexibility than previously
toward the border mission. Finland, like other MS, is
awaiting the results of the EU's fact-finding mission, but is
hopeful that the mission will occur and will likely make a
small contribution of border monitors when and if it comes
together.

WARE

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