Cablegate: Finland's Response to Second Georgia Demarche

VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHE #0469 2901049
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161049Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4599

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000469

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EFIN GG PREL RS EUMEM KMCA KCRS FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND'S RESPONSE TO SECOND GEORGIA DEMARCHE

REF: SECSTATE 109212

1. Econ Officer delivered reftel talking points to Jaakko
Lehtovirta, Georgia Desk Officer at the Finnish Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA is currently formulating the
amount and direction of aid it will provide for Georgia's
recovery efforts.

2. The MFA received the Joint Needs Assessment on October
15th. Additionally, the GOF does not have an Embassy in
Georgia, making coordination difficult. Mr. Lehtovirta added
that the GOF is committed to assisting the IDP, and there
were different ways to do this. The Finns are considering
working through their existing projects in Georgia,
particularly in the environmental sector. The MFA hopes to
make a decision in advance of the Donors Conference on
October 22.
BARRETT

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