Kaskeala: no increase needed in Finnish force in Afghanistan for at least a year

"Difference in philosophy" between Finnish and Swedish forces in Afghanistan.

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Finland is under no pressure to increase the number of peacekeeping soldiers it has in Aghanistan, says Finland's Chief of Defence, Admiral Juhani Kaskeala.
      In Admiral Kaskeala's view, Finland does not need to make any great changes in its peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan for at least a year. Before that, he says that the Finns need to see how the new system, which was implemented at the beginning of August, is working.
     
Finland concentrated its peacekeepers operating in the north of Afghanistan into one place - Mazar-i-Sharif in the crisis management area under Swedish command. Kaskeala says that Finland should gather experiences from the new situation before implementing anything new.
      A report is being drawn up for Parliament on Finnish participation in the NATO-led Afghanistan operation. According to Kaskeala, the Defence Forces have been saying all along that "we will stay there with the current numbers". There are 100 Finns taking part in the operation.
      As Kaskeala sees it, it might be useful for Finland to take responsibility for "one slice" of Afghanistan out of Sweden's extensive crisis management area, because of the slight differences in the philosophy of operations of the Finns and the Swedes.
     
The commander of the Finnish force has direct access to funds provided by the European Union and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, which can be used for rapid aid for local residents, for fixing a roof, or buying school books, for instance. The aid enhances the security of the force.
      The Swedes work differently, concentrating all of the aid they provide to the central government in Kabul. "The different philosophy is a bit of a hindrance", Kaskeala says, adding that it is one reason why the Finns should have their own area of operations.
      However, this could require the doubling of the force. "We must consider if this is worth it", Kaskeala says.
     
Kaskeala is to attend a meeting of Nordic defence force commanders, which will be held in Norway at the end of this week. Afghanistan is to be discussed at the meeting.
      Also on the agenda will be the planned EU operation in Darfur and neighbouring Chad. An EU battle group led by Sweden or France, or both, might be sent to Chad to protect refugee camps and assure the safe delivery of aid.
      Kaskeala feels that these are the right kinds of missions for the EU rapid deployment forces. The Swedish-led battle group includes 221 Finns.
     
Kaskeala does not feel that a Finnish rifle battalion should be sent to Darfur: the African Union and the large peacekeeping countries have enough such battalions already. Special missions are seen as more appropriate for Finland.
      One example is a Finnish positioning information unit, which is able to turn digital files into a variety of maps, or a signal surveillance unit. "A group of ten men is the equivalent of three battalions", Kaskeala says, praising the special knowledge of his forces.
      The Chief of Defence says that there are plenty of voluntary reservists and professional soldiers for the crisis management operation. Consequently, nobody needs to be compelled to take part.
     
Some politicians have called for a decision on Finnish participation in the NATO Reaction Force (NRF) by November, because Denmark is compiling an NRF unit appropriate for Finland. It's turn to be on stand-by would be in 2010.
      Kaskeala says that there is no reason to hurry. "I do not feel that there is any need to decide on participation this autumn. The matter can be considered calmly in connection with the Defence Report next year."
      The extra time is allowed by the fact that NATO is not making its rapid response forces dependent on the Partnership for Peace countries.
      Finnish and Swedish soldiers would merely supplement NRF, and they would not be needed in exercises until 2009.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President says not enough peacekeepers for Darfur operation (15.8.2007)
  Finnish rapid deployment forces could go to Chad under Swedish command (14.8.2007)
  Taleban claims responsibility for explosion that killed Finnish peacekeeper (25.5.2007)
  Finnish forces in Afghanistan face vicious opponents (21.4.2007)

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