Army missiles could be deployed in anti-terrorism measures
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Proposals for tough military response to be included in amended law on support for civilian authorities The government is to present to Parliament an additional clause in amendments to legislation on support for civilian authorities that would justify the use of military action in the case of possible terrorist attacks.
For example if a suicide air-hijacking were to be directed towards the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant or the centre of Helsinki, or in the case of some other major terror attack, it would be possible in future to try to ward off the danger using the heavyweight resources at the disposal of the Finnish Defence Forces. In practice this could mean the arsenal might include missiles carried by F-18 Hornet interceptors or in anti-aircraft batteries, or shells fired from tanks or warships, or rocket-launchers.
The draft proposal for the new law notes that the use of military force in such cases would be "very unlikely" and that it would be directed "only against individuals carrying out crimes of extreme gravity".
The proposals for amendments to the existing legislation on support for civil authorities will go before Parliament today, Friday. In the background to the planned changes are of course the strikes on New York and Washington from September 2001, in which passenger jets were used as a terror weapon.
According to the government proposal, the use of the army or air force in anti-terrorism responses would be classified as support for the civilian authorities. The decision on such assistance would be taken at a higher level than in normal military back-up operations (for example helping the police in missing persons searches, or in cordoning off areas after a major accident), where the sending of a support detachment could be decided by the local commander on the ground.
The legislation in this area has hitherto been mainly applied in just such cases as those noted immediately above, where sheer numbers of men are required, and in traffic control, bomb disposal operations, security arrangements for international conferences, or hijackings. Army armoured personnel carriers have sometimes been deployed in siege situations to provide cover for police officers.
If the police and civilian authorities were to require the use of serious military firepower, the request would be channelled to the Defence Ministry through the Ministry of the Interior and any decision would be taken in a joint session of the government.
In fast-breaking situations, however, the police leadership would be able to seek assistance directly from the Finnish Defence Forces’ general staff, which would decide on giving assistance.
Information would then have to be passed directly to the government, which could either sanction the chosen response or call it off.
In the past, a government decision has only been required on the use of the army to assist police in quelling an insurrection or revolt. This clause has never needed to be applied.
Helsingin Sanomat
