NATO commander would like more Finnish soldiers in Afghanistan
General Gerhard Back on visit to Finland
Gerhard W. Back, a German general who commands the NATO-led ISAF forces in Afghanistan, says that he hopes that Finland would send more peacekeeping soldiers to that country.
He says that one reason why more soldiers are needed is that troops under NATO command will have to take responsibility also for Southern Afghanistan, where US-led forces now operate.
"I would be pleased if Finland could increase its forces in Afghanistan. We are expanding our activities, for which reason we rely heavily on those participant countries with much experience", Back said in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat and the Finnish News Agency STT.
Finland currently has about 80 peacekeepers in Afghanistan. The ISAF forces have more than 8,000 peacekeepers from 36 different countries.
However, Finland’s Ministry of Defence says that Finland has no plans to increase the number of its peacekeepers in the country. Much of Finland’s peacekeeping capacity is currently tied down in the EU crisis management operation in Bosnia, as well as in the establishment of EU battle groups.
Nevertheless, Back, who is currently on a visit to Finland, plans to discuss the issue with Defence Minister Seppo Kääriäinen.
General Back had high praise for the Finnish contribution in Afghanistan, saying that he has met them, and that they are doing a good job.
Back would not comment on the question of whether or not Finland should join NATO, saying that the decision was a purely national one. However, he said that he had noticed that Finland has made progress in standardising its military systems with those of the alliance.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 1.3.2005 - TODAY |
 NATO commander would like more Finnish soldiers in Afghanistan |
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