Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 19645 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden 00. Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Jordan Yemen Thailand

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05 2011/06 2011/07
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 2011/01/11 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 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23 2011/05/24 2011/05/25 2011/05/26 2011/05/27 2011/05/28 2011/05/29 2011/05/30 2011/05/31
2011/06/01 2011/06/02 2011/06/03 2011/06/04 2011/06/05 2011/06/06 2011/06/07 2011/06/08 2011/06/09 2011/06/10 2011/06/11 2011/06/12 2011/06/13 2011/06/14 2011/06/15 2011/06/16 2011/06/17 2011/06/18 2011/06/19 2011/06/20 2011/06/21 2011/06/22 2011/06/23 2011/06/24 2011/06/25 2011/06/26 2011/06/27 2011/06/28 2011/06/29 2011/06/30
2011/07/01 2011/07/02 2011/07/04 2011/07/05 2011/07/06 2011/07/07 2011/07/08 2011/07/10 2011/07/11 2011/07/12 2011/07/13 2011/07/14 2011/07/15 2011/07/16 2011/07/17 2011/07/18 2011/07/19 2011/07/20 2011/07/21 2011/07/22 2011/07/23 2011/07/25 2011/07/27 2011/07/28 2011/07/29

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 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 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05 1986/08 1986/12
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/04 1988/07 1988/08 1988/12
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05 1991/07 1991/11
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/12
1993/01 1993/02 1993/10
1994/11 1994/12
1995/01 1995/04 1995/06 1995/11
1996/07 1996/09 1996/11
1997/02 1997/03 1997/05 1997/06 1997/08 1997/10 1997/12
1998/05 1998/12
1999/01 1999/09
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/04 2001/05 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11 2001/12
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/06 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 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 Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland 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 Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Belfast Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chiang Mai Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guangzhou Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hong Kong Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy Libreville Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Mission Geneva Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maseru Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne Consulate Matamoros
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Nuevo Laredo Consulate Naples Consulate Naha Consulate Nagoya
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 Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva 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 Sapporo 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 Toronto Consulate Tijuana Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE UN Rome Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vientiane Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
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
ASEC AEMR AMGT AR APECO AU AORC AJ AF AFIN AS AM ABLD AFFAIRS AMB APER AA AE ATRN ADM ALOW ACOA AG AID AND ABUD AY AMED ASPA AL APEC ADPM ADANA AFSI ARABL ADCO ANARCHISTS AZ ANET AMEDCASCKFLO AADP AO AGRICULTURE AGAO ASEAN ARF APRC AFSN AFSA AORG ACABQ AINF AINR AODE AROC APCS ARCH ADB AX AMEX ASUP ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ARAS ACBAQ AC AOPR AREP ASIG ASEX AER AVERY ASCH AFU AMG ATPDEA ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL AN AIT AGMT ACS AGR AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ACAO
BR BB BG BEXP BY BA BRUSSELS BU BD BK BL BE BO BTIO BH BM BAIO BRPA BUSH BILAT BF BX BC BOL BMGT BP BIDEN BBG BBSR BT BWC BEXPC BN BTIU
CPAS CA CASC CS CBW CIDA CO CODEL CI CROS CU CH CWC CMGT CVIS CDG CG CF CHIEF CJAN CBSA CE CY CW CM CB CDC CONS CHR CD CT CR CAMBODIA CN COUNTRY CONDOLEEZZA CZ CARICOM COM CICTE CYPRUS CBE CACS COE CIVS CFED CTR CARSON COPUOS COUNTER CV CAPC CITES CKGR CVR CLINTON COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CLEARANCE CSW CIC CITT CARIB CAFTA CACM CDB CJUS CTM CAN CAJC CONSULAR CLMT CBC CIA CNARC CIS CEUDA CHINA CAC CL
DR DJ DB DHS DAO DCM DO DEFENSE DA DE DK DOMESTIC DISENGAGEMENT DOD DOT DPRK DEPT DEA DOE DTRA DS DEAX
ECON ETTC EFIS ETRD EC EMIN EAGR EAID EU EFIN EUN ECIN EG EWWT EINV ENRG ELAB EPET EN EAIR EUMEM ECPS ELTN EIND EZ EI ER ET EINT ECONOMIC ENIV EFTA ES ECONOMY ENV EAG EET ELECTIONS ESTH ETRO ECIP EXIM EPEC ENERG EREL EK EDEV ENGY ERNG EPA ETRAD ELTNSNAR ENGR ETRC ELAP EUREM EEB EETC ENVI EXTERNAL ELN ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EAIDS ECOSOC EDU EPREL ECA EINVEFIN EFINECONCS EIDN EINVKSCA ETC ENVR EAP EINN EXBS ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EFIM EINVETC ECONCS EDRC ENRD EBRD ETRA ESA EAIG EUR EUC ERD ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ECINECONCS ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN
FI FR FOREIGN FREEDOM FARC FAS FBI FINANCE FAO FTAA FCS FAA FJ FTA FK FT FAC FDA FINR FM FOR FOI FO FMLN FISO
GM GERARD GT GA GG GR GTIP GE GY GH GB GLOBAL GEORGE GCC GV GC GAZA GL GOV GOI GF GANGS GTMO GAERC GZ GUILLERMO GASPAR
HR HA HYMPSK HO HK HUMAN HN HUD HU HURI HILLARY HI HUM HSTC HEBRON HUMOR
IZ IN IAEA IS IMO ILO IR IC IT ITU IV IMF IBRD IWC IPR IRAQI IDB ISRAELI ITALY ITPGOV ITALIAN IADB ID ICAO ICRC INR IFAD ICJ IO IRAQ INL INMARSAT INRA INTERNAL INTELSAT ILC INDO IRS IIP IQ ISCON ITRA IAHRC IEFIN ICTY IA INTERPOL IEA INRB ISRAEL IZPREL IRAJ IF ITPHUM IL IACI IDA ISLAMISTS IGAD ITF INRO IBET IDP ICTR IRC
JA JO JM JP JOHN JUS JAMES JOHNNIE JOSEPH JML JIMENEZ
KNNP KFLO KDEM KOMC KSUM KIPR KFLU KPAO KE KCRM KJUS KAWC KZ KSCA KDRG KCOR KGHG KPAL KTIP KMCA KCRS KPKO KOLY KRVC KVPR KG KWBG KMDR KTER KSPR KV KTFN KWMN KFRD KSTH KS KN KISL KGIC KSEP KFIN KTEX KTIA KUNR KCMR KMOC KCIP KTDB KBIO KSAF KU KHIV KSTC KNUP KIRF KIRC KHLS KMPI KIDE KSEO KSCS KGLB KNNNP KICC KCFE KNUC KIVP KPWR KTDD KR KCOM KESS KWN KCSY KRFD KBCT KREC KREL KICCPUR KGIT KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KOCI KMCC KPRP KPRV KVIR KPAOPREL KAUST KIRP KLAB KCRIM KPAONZ KCRCM KHDP KNAR KHSA KICA KGHA KINR KTRD KTAO KPAOY KJUST KWAC KSCI KNPP KMRS KTBT KHUM KNNPMNUC KBTS KACT KERG KAWK KPIR KTLA KFSC KO KX KMFO KNDP KAID KVRP KPOA KENV KRCM KCFC KNEI KCHG KPLS KFTFN KTFM KLIG KDEMAF KRAD KBTR KGCC KSEC KPIN KDEV KWWMN KOM KWNM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRGY KIFR KSAC KWMNCS KPAK KOMS KFPC KRIM KDDG KCGC KPAI KID KMIG KNSD KWMM
LY LE LABOR LO LH LAB LI LTTE LU LA LVPR LT LG LOG
MARR MX MASS MOPS MNUC MCAP MTCRE MRCRE MTRE MASC MY MK MCC MO MCA MAS MZ MIL MU ML MTCR MEPP MG MI MINUSTAH MP MA MD MAPP MAR MR MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPN MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MT MIK MN MAPS MV MILITARY MARAD MDC MACEDONIA MASSMNUC MUCN MEDIA MQADHAFI MPOS MPS MC
NZ NI NATO NO NU NG NL NPT NS NSF NA NP NATIONAL NASA NC NDP NIH NIPP NSSP NK NEGROPONTE NGO NE NAS NATOIRAQ NR NAR NZUS NARC NH NSG NAFTA NEW NRR NT NOVO NATOPREL NEA NSC NV NPA NSFO NW NORAD NPG NOAA
OTRA OECD OVIP OREP OPRC ODC OIIP OPDC OAS OSCE OPIC OMS OEXC OPCW OSCI OPAD OIE ODIP OM OFFICIALS OEXP OPEC OFDP ODPC OVIPPRELUNGANU OSHA OHUM OSIC OTR OMIG OSAC OBSP OFDA OVP ON OCII OES OCS OIC
PGOV PREL PARM PINR PHUM PM PREF PTER PK PINS PBIO PHSA PE PBTS PL POL PAK POV POLITICS POLICY PA PCI PNAT PAS PALESTINIAN PO PROV PRELBR PH PROP PERM PETR PJUS POLITICAL PREZ PAO PRELPK PAIGH PROG PMAR PU PG PDOV PTE PGOVSOCI PGOR PY PMIL PBTSRU PGOF PRAM PTERE PREO PPA PINO PARMS PERL PSI PRGOV PORG PP PS PKFK PSOE PEPR PDEM PINT PRELP PREFA PNG PTBS PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PLN PHUH PEDRO PF PHUS PETER PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PINL PBT PINF PRL PSEPC POSTS PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOC PNR
QA
RS RP RU RW RFE RCMP RIGHTSPOLMIL RO ROBERT RM RICE REGION ROOD RELAM RSP RF RELATIONS RIGHTS RUPREL REMON RPEL REACTION REPORT RSO
SZ SENV SOCI SNAR SY SO SP SU SI SMIG SYR SA SCUL SW SR SYRIA SNARM SPECIALIST SG SENS SF SENVQGR SEN SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR SN SC SNA SK SL SMIL SCRM SENVSXE SAARC STEINBERG SARS SWE SNARIZ SCRS SAN ST SIPDIS SSA SPCVIS SOFA SENVKGHG SANC SHI SEVN SHUM SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SIPRS
TRGY TBIO TSPA TU TPHY TI TX TH TIP TSPL TNGD TS TW TRSY TZ TP TN TINT TC TR TIO TF TK TRAD TT TWI TD TL TV TERRORISM TO TURKEY TSPAM TREL TRT TFIN TAGS THPY TBID
UNSC UK UNGA UN US UZ USEU UG UP UNAUS UNMIK USTR UY UNRCR UNESCO UNICEF USPS UNSCR UNHCR UNHRC UNFICYP UNCSD UNEP USAID UV UNDP UNTAC USUN USDA UNMIC UNCHR UNCTAD UR USGS USOAS USNC UA UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNODC UNCHS UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNDC UNCHC UNFCYP UNIDROIT UNCND
VE VM VT VZ VEPREL VN VTEG VTIZ VTPREL VISIT VENZ VAT VC VI
WHTI WIPO WTRO WTO WHO WFP WS WA WZ WI WMD WBG WWARD WHA WITH WTRQ WEU WMO WB
XA XW XX XK XL XM XS XF XY XR XG XT XC XH XD XE XV XB XU XZ XQ XI XTAG
YI YM YE YL YMCS
ZU ZI ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZO ZK ZF ZL ZB ZN ZH ZT ZJ ZEALAND ZA ZANU

### 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 05HELSINKI475, APRIL 25-26 GAERC: FINLAND'S RESPONSE

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. #05HELSINKI475.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05HELSINKI475 | 2005-04-25 14:54 | 2011-04-24 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Helsinki

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

` `

    C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 000475

    SIPDIS

    STATE FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/NB

    E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2015
    TAGS: PREL KPAL EAIR XF IZ SU LE CG ZI RS FI EUN EU GAERC
    SUBJECT: APRIL 25-26 GAERC: FINLAND'S RESPONSE

    REF: STATE 72185

    Classified By: Ambassador Earle I. Mack, per Sections 1.4(B) and (D)

    ¶1. (C) On April 22 we met with Jarno Syrjala, Finnish MFA's
    new European Correspondent, to review the agenda for the
    April GAERC meeting (Reftel).  Finnish views follow, by
    subject.  See below for bio information on Syrjala, who has
    just taken over this position.

    ¶2. (C) Iraq: Syrjala said he expected the conclusions on Iraq
    to be "routine"; the GoF believes a more consequential
    discussion will take place in the May GAERC.

    ¶3. (C) Middle East Peace Process: Syrjala predicted that the
    Ministers' statement will welcome the appointment of James
    Wolfensohn as Special Envoy for Gaza Disengagement.  He
    expressed some concern over the latest developments in
    Israeli settlement policy, particularly the construction of
    new West Bank housing units.  The Finns assume that the
    announcement of this construction was withheld until after PM
    Sharon's latest meeting with the President so that it would
    not spark contention at the meeting; they also assume the new
    construction decision is dictated by Sharon's domestic
    political need to "balance" the Gaza withdrawal.  But during
    FM Tuomioja's recent visit to the region, accompanied by
    Syrjala, the Finns "got a strong feeling from the
    Palestinians, and also some unofficial Israelis" that they
    fear an "Intifada III" -- one that focuses on the West Bank
    and Jerusalem in particular -- could be sparked by GoI
    settlement action.

    ¶4. (C) Lebanon: Syrjala said it would be ideal for the
    elections to happen before the end of May, and the Finns are
    encouraging the Lebanese to hold to the schedule.  That
    doesn't leave much time, however, and he felt that a "brief
    delay shouldn't bother the U.S. or the EU."  He said the GoF
    has had some contact with the Lebanese government regarding
    election monitors, which the Finns are ready to provide upon
    Lebanon's request.

    ¶5. (C) Sudan: The Finns expect that the Ministerial
    discussion will be a largely technical one, concentrating on
    the details of sanctions implementation.  In a separate
    conversation April 21, MFA Director General for Africa and
    the Middle East Aapo Polho told us the GoF is very pleased
    with the results of the Oslo meeting, especially the extent
    of aid pledged.  Polho said Oslo has demonstrated that the
    international community is able to take action on Darfur
    without losing sight of what has been achieved in bringing
    peace to the north-south conflict.

    ¶6. (C) Zimbabwe: Regarding the election, Syrjala said that
    "our opinion is perhaps not so strongly worded as yours," but
    the GoF certainly agrees with the USG assessment of the
    status of democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.  He
    believes Ministers will conclude that there is no
    justification for changing EU policy with regard to Zimbabwe.
     Certainly the Finns do not support expanding contacts with
    Mugabe.

    ¶7. (C) Great Lakes: It seems that the U.S. and EU are in
    close agreement, said Syrjala.  The Ministers are likely to
    report some very general conclusions, calling on the
    international community to remain united in pursuit of free
    elections, disarmament of rebels, and reform of the security
    sector.

    ¶8. (SBU) Tsunami follow-up: Syrjala said the Ministers will
    review several documents -- two from the Commission and one
    from Solana -- regarding the Indian Ocean tragedy and lessons
    learned regarding civil crisis management.  The GoF believes
    the documents and discussion would remain just as valuable if
    the word "tsunami" were dropped, since the issue is how to
    prepare different sectors and ministries to cooperate to meet
    a civil crisis of any kind.

    ¶9. (C) EU/Russia: The Ministers will review preparations for
    the upcoming summit.  As to substance, there are two issues
    that particularly matter to the Finns:

    -- Russia is collecting "quite substantial" fees from
    commercial airlines that overfly Siberia en route to Asia.
    Shifting to a southern route, however, would cost even more,
    so the GoF is hoping for united EU pressure on the Russians
    to reduce the fees.

    -- The Finns also are anxious to see a visa facilitation
    agreement signed between the EU and Russia.  Current Russian
    visa policy can vary from EU member to member, and is a
    function of the bilateral relationship with each country.

    Bio Note
    --------
    ¶10. (C) A number of Department bureaus will be familiar with
    Jarno Syrjala, who was Political Counselor at the Finnish
    Embassy in Washington 2000-2003.  Two years ago he returned
    to Helsinki to be the MFA's "Regional Manager" for Israel,
    the PA, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Middle East Peace
    Process.  It seemed to us at the time that in career terms
    this position was basically a lateral move.  With his new
    job, he seems to have resumed his rise through the MFA ranks.
     Syrjala tells us he did not bid on the job when it came
    open, but was asked to take it by "the Political Department
    and the Minister's staff" -- which we interpret as meaning FM
    Tuomioja and Political Director Pilvi-Sisko
    Vierros-Villeneuve.

    ¶11. (C) Syrjala has been an excellent contact and a close
    friend of the United States, although he has not always
    agreed with us -- especially on Middle East policy, his
    strong support for the road map notwithstanding.  Before his
    Washington tour, Syrjala was GoF representative to the
    Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, operating out of East
    Jerusalem.  In his new position he is likely to retain his
    passionate interest in the Peace Process.  In informing us of
    Syrjala's new appointment, Vierros-Villeneuve said that it
    was done with Finland's upcoming (July-December 2006) EU
    presidency very much in mind.  Syrjala is well aware of the
    significance of that.  The Finns see these presidencies as a
    rare opportunity for the small EU nations to make a
    difference, and want to make the most of the opportunity.
    Moreover, if the Constitution Treaty takes effect in November
    2006 as scheduled (admittedly a big "if"), Finland will
    preside over the European Union's shift to its new structure.
     And finally, there is a growing sense in the GoF that the
    Finns may inherit several major unresolved issues.  Syrjala
    told us that for FSOs of his generation, this EU presidency
    could be the pivotal event of their careers.
    MACK

`