Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 7579 / 251,287

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04
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

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 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
1986/05
1987/06
1988/01
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05
1996/11
1997/12
2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/06 2001/07 2001/10 2001/11
2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 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 Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan 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 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
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti 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 Hermosillo Consulate Hamburg
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa 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 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
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State 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 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
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
AF AE AMGT ACOA ASEC AORC AG AU AR AS AFIN AL APER AA AEMR AMED ABLD AM ATFN AROC AJ AFFAIRS AO AFGHANISTAN AFU AER ALOW AODE ABUD ATRN APECO ASUP AC AZ AVERY APCS ADCO ASIG AGMT AMBASSADOR ASEAN AX AID AUC ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG ADANA AND AN ARM AY
BR BIDEN BO BK BU BY BEXP BL BTIO BF BBSR BA BM BH BE BB BILAT BG BRUSSELS BT BC BX BMGT BTIU
CU CH CJAN CO CA CASC CY CD CM COE COUNTRY CLEARANCE CVIS CPAS CMGT CACS CWC CBW CI CG CF CS CN CT CL CIA CDG CE CIS CTM CB CLINTON CR COM CONS CV CJUS COUNTER CKGR COUNTERTERRORISM CODEL CONDOLEEZZA CARSON CW CFED CLMT CROS CACM CDB CAN
DA DOE DJ DK DHS DR DEA DS DOMESTIC DAO DCM DEPT DTRA DPRK DISENGAGEMENT DOD DEAX
ETRD ETTC ECON EFIN ES EFIS EWWT EAID ENRG ELAB EINV EU EAIR EI EIND EUN EG EAGR EPET ER EMIN EC ECIN ENVR ECA ELN ET ENERG ECPS EINT ENGY ELECTIONS EN EZ ELTN EK ECONCS EINVETC ECONEFIN ENIV ESA ENGR ETC EFTA ETRDECONWTOCS EXTERNAL ENVI EUNCH EINVECONSENVCSJA ECONOMICS EINN EFINECONCS ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS ECUN ENNP EUR EAP EEPET ETRDEINVTINTCS ETRO ESENV ECINECONCS ECONOMY ECONOMIC EUMEM EAIDS EINVEFIN ECIP EINDETRD EUC EREL
FR FAO FARC FREEDOM FI FBI FTAA FJ FINR FMLN FOR FTA FOREIGN FINANCE FO FISO
GM GG GR GE GV GA GH GT GCC GOV GZ GOI GTIP GAERC GY GANGS GL GERARD GAZA GTMO
HO HA HR HU HSTC HURI HILLARY HK HYMPSK HUMAN HUMOR
IC IO IV IR IZ IS IN IT IAEA IWC IIP IA ID ITALIAN ITALY ICAO INRB IRAQI ILC ISRAELI IQ IMO ICTY INRA INRO IRAJ IF ICRC IPR ILO IBRD IMF IZPREL ITPHUM ITPGOV INTERPOL INTELSAT IEFIN INR IRC IACI ITRA IL ICJ INTERNAL INMARSAT ITU IDP
JOSEPH JO JA JP JAMES JOHNNIE JM JUS
KACT KNNP KDEM KGIC KRAD KISL KIPR KTIA KWBG KTFN KPAL KCIP KN KHLS KCRM KSCA KPKO KFRD KMCA KJUS KIRF KWMN KCOR KPAO KU KV KAWC KUNR KPRP KOMC KSTC KTIP KSUM KMDR KFLU KPRV KBTR KZ KS KVPR KE KERG KTDB KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KSTH KGHG KIRC KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KG KWAC KSEP KMPI KDRG KBCT KNUP KTER KCFE KPLS KVIR KAWK KDDG KOLY KMRS KHDP KPAK KNAR KREL KBTS KNPP KCOM KGIT KNNPMNUC KO KPOA KRFD KHUM KDEV KICC KCFC KREC KSPR KHIV KWWMN KLIG KBIO KTBT KOCI KFLO KWMNCS KIDE KSAF KNEI KR KTEX KNSD KOMS KCRS KGCC KWMM KRVC KPAI KHSA KTLA KFSC KX KFTFN KMFO KRCM KPWR KMIG KSEC KIFR KDEMAF KFIN KNUC KPIN
LY LE LI LH LOG LG LO LT LTTE LU LAB
MNUC MARR MCAP MASS MOPS MP MO MIL MX MY MTCRE MT ML MASC MR MK MI MAPS MEPN MU MCC MZ MA MD MASSMNUC MQADHAFI MTCR MTRE MG MEPI MDC MPOS MEETINGS MUCN MRCRE MEPP MAR MAPP MAS MTS MLS MERCOSUR MC MV MEDIA MILI MW MIK MOPPS
NATO NO NL NSG NA NU NPT NS NI NZ NATIONAL NP NAR NE NASA NK NG NT NIPP NSF NPG NGO NSSP NRR NSC
OVIP OAS OREP OPRC OPDC OEXC OPCW OSCI ODIP OSCE OTRA OPIC OIIP OFFICIALS OFDP OECD OSAC OIE OVP OPAD OFDA OIC OTR
PREL PGOV PINR PARM PHUM PTER PK PINS PO PROP PHSA PBTS PREF PE PMIL PM POL PY PFOR PHALANAGE PARTY PAK PAO PRAM PA PMAR POLITICS PHUMPREL PALESTINIAN PHUS PRL PGOC PNR PL PGGV PNAT PROV PTERE PGOF PHUMBA PINT PEL PLN POV PSOE PF PARMS PBIO PSI POLINT POLITICAL PARTIES PGOVLO PORG PGOVE PINF PRELP PAS PPA PRGOV PUNE PG POLICY PROG PDEM PREFA PDOV PCI PEPR PU PECON POGOV PINL PKFK
QA
RS RU RF RW ROBERT RFE RO REGION RP RUPREL RIGHTS RICE RSP REACTION REPORT
SENV SNAR SP SOCI SA SY SW SU SF SMIG SCUL SZ SO SH SG SR SL SOFA SANC SK ST SC SN SEVN STEINBERG SAN SHUM SYR SAARC SI SNARCS SWE SPCE SNARIZ SIPRS
TU TX TH TBIO TZ TRGY TK TW TSPA TSPL TPHY TNGD TI TC TS TR TD TT TIP TRSY TO TP TERRORISM TURKEY TFIN TINT THPY
UK UY UNESCO UNO UNSC UNEP UN UNGA US UNDP UNCHS UP UG UNMIK UNAUS USTR UNVIE UNHRC UZ UV UE USAID UNHCR USUN USEU UNDC UAE UNDESCO UNCHC UNFICYP UNCHR
VE VT VZ VM VTPREL VN
WWARD WHA WI WHO WA WMO WEU WTRO WZ WITH WTRQ WBG WTO WMD WB
XZ XR XF XG XW XY XA XM XL XE XK XT XC XH XS XD XV XX
YI YM YE YMCS
ZI ZB ZU ZA ZOELLICK ZK ZP ZR ZF ZJ ZANU ZO ZL

### 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 09HELSINKI52, FINLAND: VISIT OF AFGHAN NATIONAL SECURITY

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. #09HELSINKI52.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
09HELSINKI52 | 2009-02-12 13:01 | 2011-04-24 00:12 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Helsinki

`

    VZCZCXRO0242
    RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
    DE RUEHHE #0052/01 0431325
    ZNY CCCCC ZZH
    R 121325Z FEB 09
    FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4800
    INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
    RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0080
    RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 4746
    RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 8668
    RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0963

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 000052

    SIPDIS

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/11/2019
    TAGS: MARR FI PREL
    SUBJECT: FINLAND: VISIT OF AFGHAN NATIONAL SECURITY
    ADVISOR, FEB 2-5

    Classified By: CDA Michael Butler for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

    ¶1. (C) SUMMARY.  Afghanistan's National Security Advisor,
    Zalmai Rassoul, offered his government's appreciation for
    Finland's assistance during a visit from February 2-5. In
    meetings with the Foreign and Defense Ministers and other
    government officials, Rassoul listed as the top problems in
    Afghanistan government corruption and insufficient progress
    on development and reconstruction (and the frustration among
    the populace with many promises and few results).  He
    described security as an urgent priority, and said that
    countries considering increasing their contributions should
    support training for the Afghan National Security Forces
    (stressing that to achieve stability, an increase in security
    was more pressing than a reduction in poverty).  Rassoul
    referred to the great optimism and high expectations
    surrounding the new U.S. Administration, and to a desire for
    a "stronger partnership" with the Europeans.  He returned
    repeatedly to the centrality of bringing security to Helmand
    Province, pointing to the Taliban, the narcotics trade and
    the importance of an election there the populace would
    consider legitimate.  Rassoul stated that the situation in
    Afghanistan is not as bad as generally perceived or as
    portrayed in the media.  The Finns welcomed Rassoul's visit,
    and the State and Department of Defense visit February 11-13,
    as opportunities to provide a clearer picture of the
    situation in Afghanistan to government officials,
    parliamentarians and media opinion-makers opportunities, and
    to combat negative press coverage of Afghanistan as the
    Parliament considers government proposals on a temporary
    troop increase and development assistance.  END SUMMARY.

    Rassoul offers Afghanistan's thanks
    -----------------------------------

    ¶2. (C) Doctor Zalmai Rassoul, Afghanistan's National Security
    Advisor, visited Finland from February 2-5.  He met with the
    Foreign and Defense Ministers, advisors to the President and
    the Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the Parliamentary
    Defense Committee.  He visited the Finnish Defense Forces
    International Center for an overview of Finnish crisis
    management and peacekeeper training, and gave a speech to the
    Atlantic Council.  As described by Finnish officials to
    PolChief on February 10, Rassoul,s purpose for the visit was
    to convey thanks for Finland,s support.  In expressing
    appreciation, Rassoul repeatedly emphasized that the number
    of troops Finland contributes is not paramount, but the fact
    of Finland's presence in Afghanistan.  In a speech to the
    Atlantic Council, Rassoul expressed gratitude when noting
    that Afghanistan is the largest recipient in Asia of
    Finland's development assistance.

    Points raised by Rassoul
    ------------------------

    ¶3. (C) RENEWED LEADERSHIP FROM THE U.S.  To Finnish officials
    Rassoul referred to the great optimism and high expectations
    in the Afghan government surrounding the new U.S.
    Administration.  Rassoul expressed satisfaction with the
    Vice-President's (then )elect) visit.  He shared with the
    Finns one message from the Vice-President to President
    Karzai: that it would be better to be less vocal regarding
    civilian casualties. (NOTE: Rassoul also described bombings
    by U.S. unmanned aerial drones as "efficient." END NOTE.)  To
    the Atlantic Council Rassoul said he hoped a renewed
    commitment from the U.S. would be matched by a strong
    commitment from other allies, in NATO, Europe and around the
    world.

    ¶4. (C) SECURITY IS PARAMOUNT. In meetings with the Finnish
    officials, Rassoul listed as the top problems in Afghanistan
    government corruption and insufficient progress on
    development and reconstruction; he emphasized Afghans'
    frustration with the international community's numerous
    promises to bring development, and the few results.  However,
    Rassoul said that security is the over-riding concern, and
    any increases in contributions would best be directed at the
    "Afghanisation" of the security sector, i.e., training for
    the Afghan National Security Forces; to achieve stability,
    Rassoul said an increase in security was more pressing than a
    reduction in poverty.  While he stressed the importance of
    security, Rassoul also told the Finns that the situation was
    not as bad as portrayed in the media; he provided a detailed
    description of the security situation in the provinces,
    sometimes district-by-district.

    ¶5. (C) HELMAND, HELMAND, HELMAND. Rassoul repeated returned
    to the importance of Helmand Province, stressing that all of

    HELSINKI 00000052  002 OF 002

    the major challenges facing Afghanistan are found there:
    Taliban, the drug trade, and the upcoming elections.  On the
    latter, Rassoul stated that the situation there was "most
    acute." He asserted that only "three or four areas are under
    control" and his concern is that election results in Helmand
    might not be seen as legitimate if ISAF and the Afghan
    Government cannot bring greater control to the province.
    Rassoul stated that to ensure the legitimacy of the elections
    additional ISAF troops were needed.

    ¶6. (C) PAKISTAN.  With Finnish officials Rassoul returned
    repeatedly to concerns about and problems in the tribal
    areas.  To the Atlantic Council Rassoul referred to a
    "revitalized terrorist offense, originating from terrorist
    sanctuaries outside Afghanistan's borders."  He told the
    Council that Pakistan "is practically engulfed in terrorist
    violence."  Regarding the civilian government, Rassoul was
    quite blunt with Finnish officials about how Pakistan
    tolerated the Taliban.  Though critical of the government,
    the Finns also described Rassoul as "generally happy" with it
    (describing it to the Council as "a partner interested in
    peace"), although he described it as weak. Rassoul said he
    hoped the Pakistan government would exert more control over
    the security structures, but expressed doubts about whether
    and when this might happen.

    ¶7. (C) OTHERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Rassoul described India as
    an "important partner" of Afghanistan; he pointed to
    approximately 1.3B USD in Indian assistance, something he
    said concerns the Pakistan government. Regarding China,
    Rassoul spoke broadly about Chinese concerns about Uighur,s
    as a source of instability in the region.  (NOTE: The prior
    Administration requested that the GoF accept Uighur
    detainees.  The GoF never acted on the request. END NOTE.)
    Rassoul spoke of "increasing contacts" with Russia; he said
    that Russia uses instability in the region as a means to
    (re)assert influence over some of Afghanistan's neighbors.
    As for Iran, Rassoul described a more constructive role in
    the beginning (during the Bonn Process) than now, but also
    stated that Iran is "no ally of the Taliban."

    ¶8. (C) ISAF SUPPLY ROUTES. Rassoul spoke of the problems of
    ISAF countries in getting supplies into Afghanistan.  He
    touched on possible routes, e.g., through Iran, adding that
    arrangements regarding supply routes with Iran might be
    accomplished bilaterally by ISAF countries.

    ¶9. (C) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.  On a few occasions Rassoul
    spoke of exploitation of mineral reserves, especially copper.
     He mentioned that the Chinese had inked a deal with the
    Afghans regarding copper mining, spoke of plans to bring a
    rail line to the mines, but also spoke of the difficulties in
    exploiting such resources in the current security environment.

    Finnish reaction to Rassoul visit
    ---------------------------------

    ¶10. (C) Finnish officials were very appreciative of Rassoul's
    visit, given that it came just before the Parliament took up
    discussion of the Governments proposal to double troops to
    support the Afghan elections and its "action plan" for
    development in Afghanistan.  in meetings with PolChief,
    Finnish officials have offered varying assessments of how the
    Parliament will greet the government's initiatives.  Anu
    Lamaanen, Deputy Director General of the MFA's Political
    Unit, expressed surprise about the muted media reaction to
    the GoF's proposal to temporarily double its troop
    contribution, especially given considerable negative press
    about the current security situation in Afghanistan; Lamaanen
    thought parliamentary debate might also be muted, as
    parliamentarians have not been provoked one way or another by
    press coverage.  Nevertheless, Finnish officials remain
    concerned about negative press coverage and its impact on the
    public and lawmakers.  They welcome visits from the U.S.,
    like that of Deputy Assistant Secretary Moon and OSD Country
    Director for Afghanistan Heidi Meyer on February 11-13, as an
    opportunity to provide a fuller picture of the situation in
    Afghanistan to government officials, parliamentarians and
    opinion-makers.
    BUTLER

`