Finnish soldiers could be deployed for EU duties already in 2007

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Finnish soldiers slated for duty in military operations of the European Union could be subject to deployment in just over two years when the first planned Finnish battle group is to be in readiness for crisis situations.
      Defence ministers of the EU member states are to announce today, Monday, that the French and British will be the first in line when the battle groups begin operations from early next year.
      A battle group of 1,500 soldiers, comprising Finns, Germans, and Dutch, are to be on alert for possible deployment in the fist half of 2007.
      In the first half of the following year, another battle group involving Finns will also be on stand-by - the one comprising Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian soldiers.
     
The new status means that if the EU decides to send forces to prevent a genocide in Africa, for instance, the soldiers of the units on standby would be expected to be on the spot within ten days.
      Finnish participation in the force would require changes to the law on peacekeeping; under present legislation, Finnish soldiers can be sent to crisis areas only on the basis of a mandate of the United Nations or the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe.
     
EU countries have been quite eager to develop their rapid deployment forces. Original plans called for 7 - 9 battle groups of 1,500 soldiers each, which would take turns on standby status. Now there are at least 12 groups being formed.
      One indication of the positive reception received by the idea is that only Denmark and Malta appear to be opting out of participation. The militarily non-aligned Austria and Ireland, as well as NATO-member Estonia are not yet sure if they will participate.
     
NATO is also setting up rapid deployment forces of its own. This has raised some questions of the sense of having parallel systems. In several EU member states which are part of NATO, the same forces could be earmarked for both EU and NATO duties.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland to recruit professional soldiers for rapid deployment special force (10.11.2004)

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