Cablegate: Finland Acknowledges Importance of U.S. Icao

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DE RUEHHE #0657 2421106
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301106Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHMT/AMCONSUL MONTREAL 0101
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3702

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000657

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/T: LAURA LUFTIG AND EB/TRA/OTP: MEGAN
WALKLET-TIGHE
USICAO MONTREAL: LAURA FAUX-GABLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAIR AORC ICAO FI
SUBJECT: FINLAND ACKNOWLEDGES IMPORTANCE OF U.S. ICAO
CANDIDACY

REF: STATE 115443

1. (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche on the U.S.
candidacy to the Council of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) to Mr. Matti Tupamaki, Director of Air
Transport at the Finnish Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Although Tupamkaki did not explicitly say it, it was clear
that, barring a major about face by the EU, Finland would
support the U.S. candidacy. Acknowledging they were not
seeking to trade votes, Tupamaki then asked for U.S. support
of the Nordic Delegation,s candidate from Iceland.

2. (SBU) Tupamaki, who will represent Finland as a Delegate
in Montreal, acknowledged the crucial importance of the U.S.
in international aviation matters; however, he stopped short
of voicing unconditional support for the U.S., stating that
Finnish policy prohibits revealing support for candidates in
advance. However, Tupamaki said in order for ICAO to
"function" the U.S. must be involved, and that Finland would
give the U.S. candidacy their "most serious consideration."
Tupamaki expressed surprise that candidacy questions were not
discussed at all during the recent European Civil Aviation
Conference meeting.

3. (SBU) The Finnish delegation to the ICAO Assembly will be
led by Mr. Kim Salonen, Director of CAA. Salonen previously
served as a technical specialist in Montreal within the
Nordic Delegation to ICAO. Other Finnish participants at the
Assembly include:
Mr. Lars Lovkvist, Representative of Finland on the Council
of ICAO (Alternative Chief Delegate)
Mr. Reijo Lamberg, Director, Flight Operations and Licensing
at CAA (Delegate)
Mr. Matti Tupamaki, Director, Air Transport at CAA (Delegate)
Mr. Johan Skjal, Head of Unit, Air Transport Policy (Delegate)
HYATT

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