Cablegate: Georgia Demarche Delivered

VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHE #0451 2810822
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 070822Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4581

UNCLAS HELSINKI 000451

SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA AND EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EFIN EINV KCRS KMCA EUMEM PREL GG FI
SUBJECT: GEORGIA DEMARCHE DELIVERED

REF: STATE 100093

1. Econ Assistant delivered reftel points regarding the
upcoming International Georgia Reconstruction Donors
Conference in Brussels to Mr Jaakko Lehtovirta, Georgia
Desk Officer at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA). The MFA is working to determine how much room
there is in Finland's budget to make a donation for the
post-war reconstruction and economic recovery of
Georgia, but no final decision has yet been made on how
much support will be provided.

2. Lehtovirta also stated that Finland is committed to
provide support for humanitarian assistance of civilian
victims of the crisis in Georgia up to the amount of
EUR 1 million. At this stage the plan is to channel the
assistance primarily through the international
Committee of the Red Cross ICRC, the Finnish Red Cross
and the UN relief agencies (WFP). The overall amount of
this assistance granted to date by the Finnish
government stands at EUR 600 000.

BARRETT

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