Lipponen sees increased consensus on foreign policy

Parliamentary speaker says non-allied status "lacks functional value"

Paavo Lipponen

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Parliamentary Speaker Paavo Lipponen (SDP) feels that recent debate on foreign and security policy has not eroded Finnish consensus in issues concerning foreign affairs.
      A number of issues, including policy on land mines, possible NATO membership, legislation on participation in international peacekeeping, and most recently, the powers of the President, have been topics of heated debate since the autumn.
      Nevertheless, Lipponen feels that the debate has actually strengthened national consensus in the matter.
      Lipponen was speaking in Helsinki on Monday at a meeting of the UKK-perinneyhdistys, an association dedicated to nurturing the legacy of former Finnish President Urho Kaleva Kekkonen.
     
Lipponen gave three reasons for his views.
      "First of all, the consensus on the basic pillar, that of national defence, is nearly 100 percent. There may be some debate on the spending of a few euros, but all men and women in that house next door are in favour of developing national defence", Lipponen said, motioning toward the nearby House of Parliament.
      "Another basic element is participation in EU defence cooperation. There has been a clear political evolution during the present government, now that the Centre Party is clearly involved in the idea that Finland should participate in EU defence cooperation without reservations."
      "The third pillar is the relationship with NATO. What is significant is that no party is calling for joining NATO", Lipponen said.
      "Now, especially with reference to how the law on peacekeeping is to be amended, one might ask who is not a part of this consensus. I don’t want to point to any groups. Everyone understands where the problems are."
     
It was generally understood that Lipponen was referring to the opposition National Coalition Party, which has called for dropping the references to Finland's militarily non-allied status.
      In Lipponen’s view, there is no reason for Finland to rush into NATO. However, he also said that there is no point in raising a clamour about being militarily non-allied. "It does not have much functional value."


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Clear majority of Finns still opposed to NATO membership (28.2.2005)
  Expert forum expects Finland to join NATO in ten years (2.2.2005)
  Intervention by President topples conservative NATO operation (20.12.2004)

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