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

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
06HELSINKI355 | 2006-04-27 11:28 | 2011-04-24 00:00 | 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

`