Cablegate: Finland: Iran's Clandestine Enrichment Facility

VZCZCXRO6808
RR RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHHE #0374 2821443
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 091443Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5206
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000374

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN/RA/RNEPHEW

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2019
TAGS: PARM KNNP MNUC IR FI PHUM
SUBJECT: FINLAND: IRAN'S CLANDESTINE ENRICHMENT FACILITY

REF: A. STATE 100153
B. STATE 103218

Classified By: DCM Michael A. Butler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1. (C/REL FRANCE/UK) On October 8 DCM delivered REFTEL
points to MFA Political Director Teemu Tanner, accompanied by
French DCM Frederic Joureau and British DCM Philip Malone.
Joureau and Malone reinforced DCM's points: Joureau raised
specific concerns about the clandestine uranium enrichment
facility located near Qom, in particular by citing the need
to maintain pressure on Iran regarding an IAEA inspection;
Malone welcomed the talks as a good first step but emphasized
the importance of additional confidence-building measures
from the Iranian side.

2. (C/REL FRANCE/UK) Tanner expressed appreciation for the
three governments' willingness to share information about the
talks, and welcomed the Administration,s direct engagement
with Iran. He pointed out that the Finnish government (GoF)
had long supported the P5 1 process, and stated that the
GoF's "unwavering support" continues. Tanner said the Finns
know full well that the only measure of success will be
&concrete results8 and that the international community
must see such results by the end of the year. He agreed that
the international community must consider sanctions if the
current dialogue does not result in concrete Iranian actions.
The GoF supports the EU's decision to examine possible
additional sanctions. It prefers sanctions via the UN
Security Council, but is fully prepared to consider
"autonomous sanctions" from the EU and US, with as wide
support as possible. Tanner also expressed interest in the
points the Iranians raised, as well as the level of support
and engagement exhibited by the Russian and Chinese
participants.

3. (C/REL FRANCE/UK) In addressing Finland's support for
efforts to press Iran to keep to commitments made at Geneva,
Tanner said that the GoF presses Iran on nonproliferation and
human rights matters at every opportunity (the most recent
being a bilateral meeting between Foreign Ministers last
month on the margins of UNGA). Tanner promised to discuss
with Foreign Minister Stubb the possibility of a public
statement pressing Iran to keep to its commitments and
supporting the dual track strategy. (NOTE: Post coordinated
this message with British and French DCMs. END NOTE.)

ORECK

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