Head of Security Police: Intelligence activity to increase in Baltic region

Seppo Nevala

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The head of Finland's Security Police (SUPO) Seppo Nevala estimates that Finland's upcoming EU Presidency (from July 1st 2006) will be a real test for SUPO, bringing on more work than the country's previous term at the Union's helm in 1999.
      "SUPO will be heading the anti-terrorism working group of the European security services that was established after the events in 2001", Nevala explains in SUPO's annual report for 2005.
     
Nevala predicts an increase in activity by intelligence services in the Baltic Sea region. This will be prompted by the enlargements of both the European Union and NATO, plus the increased economic significance of the Gulf of Finland.
      Today, some 40 percent of the trading between Russia and the EU takes place through the Baltic Sea, and a new gas pipeline between Germany and Russia will result in an increase in the transmission of energy via the Gulf of Finland.
     
Intelligence operations by foreign powers continued last year in a familiar way. Undercover agents with fabricated diplomatic posts operated from various foreign embassies in Helsinki. SUPO has observed that the level of activity in Finland has gradually increased as the post-Cold War political competition has once again gathered momentum.
      The agents were particularly interested in Finland's possible NATO membership and the country's activities within the EU, and on influencing decision-making and public opinion. SUPO also reports "the systematic use of illegal means" in acquiring information on the Union's interests and actions. Other topics of interest to the member's of the world's second oldest profession include relations with Russia, high-level state visits, the parliamentary handling of the legislation on peacekeepers, counter-terrorism readiness, and the presidential elections.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Security Police running the gauntlet (12.4.2005)
  Appeals court acquits top Security Police figures in telephone privacy case (31.3.2005)

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Helsingin Sanomat