Finland will probably not join the international treaty banning cluster weapons yet, said President Tarja Halonen on Saturday.
Asked about the matter at the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Beijing on Friday, Halonen said that time is running out..
More than 100 countries have agreed on a ban on cluster bombs and shells. The government is scheduled to decide soon on joining the treaty.
Finland had hoped to get an exemption for the use of cluster weapons that do not cause harm to non-combatants. However, no exceptions were added to the treaty.
According to President Halonen, Finland’s goal in the long term is “a credible defence, which follows international treaties”.
In Beijing, the President expressed the hope that representatives of the Defence Forces would study what Finland would have to do in order to become a signatory.
