Foreign Ministry urges Finnish embassies to be especially vigilant
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Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Friday urged Finnish embassies abroad to be especially vigilant, and to pay close heed to security, even though there were no direct threats aimed specifically against Finland in connection with the uproar over the Danish cartoons that have caused offence among Muslims.
The focus of anger over the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad has been against Denmark and Norway.
Finland shares diplomatic premises with other Nordic Countries in Ramallah, in the Palestinian Territories, and in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, which has been the target of demonstrations. In Berlin, the embassies of all five Nordic Countries are in the same building.
Erkki Väätäinen, head of security for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, said that Finns could "accidentally" become targets of intimidation, and urged Finnish citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to areas where there has been unrest.
The Foreign Ministry advised caution when travelling to Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Oman, Kuwait, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. The warning also applies to those travelling to Israel.
Finns were also advised to follow events closely in the media.
The Finnish Security Police (SUPO) have not initiated any special measures in light of recent events, nor has the cartoon controversy led to any changes in monitoring Finnish borders.
"All suspects from third countries with terrorist connections can be apprehended while normal measures are in place. Our borders are well taken care of", said Commodore Isto Mattila of the Finnish Border Guard.
Finnish tour operators emphasise that their destinations in Arab countries are safe. Finntours is flying 12,000 Finns to Egypt, Morocco, and the UAE on package tours this winter.
"The Foreign Ministry has not set travel restrictions for these countries", says Jukka Mustila of Finntours. Similar assurances were given by Arja Pucilowski of Tjäreborg.
A number of Finnish companies, including Nokia and Kone, have operations on the Arabian Peninsula.
Kone information officer Heli Aalto said that the company has five Finnish employees in Dubai and one in Qatar. "The uproar has not affected business activities in any way, nor has it affected the everyday lives of our employees."
Nokia said that the company has not set any travel restrictions to Muslim countries because of the unrest.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 6.2.2006 - TODAY |
 Foreign Ministry urges Finnish embassies to be especially vigilant |
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