Finland prepares for decades of aid work in Afghanistan

Foreign Ministry paper calls for “realistic goals”

print this

Finland’s new stabilisation and reconstruction programme for Afghanistan states that Finland and the other countries taking part in attempts to stabilise Afghanistan face a task that could take 20 to 30 years. According to an action plan drawn up at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, conditions will be difficult, and setbacks are to be expected.
      The initial expectation was of a mission of no more than ten years. This now appears to have been wishful thinking.
      Finland nevertheless hopes to promote democracy, human rights, and especially the rights of women in Afghanistan, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) on Wednesday. “But certainly, we concede that this will happen with a delay”, Stubb says.
     
Nearly a month ago the United States published a new Afghanistan strategy in which the main goal was fighting terrorism, not the advancement of democracy as it had been before.
      According to Stubb, Afghanistan is moving to a situation in which the Americans are taking greater responsibility for military security, while building of the society and promoting values is mainly left to others.
     
European countries have voiced their support for the US strategy through the EU and NATO, but there is no agreement yet on how much additional input the Europeans should offer.
      “This is unfortunate, because I believe that the military side can be improved, but stabilising the society is what is decisive”, Stubb said.
      There will be 130 Finnish soldiers in Afghanistan at the end of this year, up from the current 110. In addition, more than 100 soldiers will be sent to Afghanistan to help monitor the Presidential elections in October.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish commander optimistic about progress in Afghanistan (15.10.2008)
  President Halonen: NATO wants more Finns in Afghanistan (4.4.2008)
  Parliament approves additional forces to Afghanistan (9.3.2009)
  New US strategy has Finland reconsidering goals in Afghanistan (6.2.2009)
  Finland to send more troops to Afghanistan next summer (12.12.2008)

Links:
  International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) website

Helsingin Sanomat