NEWS ANALYSIS: Muttering about security does not constitute NATO debate

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By Jouni Mölsä
     
      Finland has not been a neutral country since joining the European Union. Nevertheless, it is not a part of any military alliance.
      Finland's Chief of Defence, General Ari Puheloinen, noted in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat on Wednesday that joining an alliance is more than just a military question. “It is foreign policy, security policy, economic, and a comprehensive social question. One must see things in their entirety and then draw conclusions”, he said.
     
As a foreign policy question, debate over NATO membership has been pushed to the next Parliamentary term, at least. There is not sufficient understanding on the matter that would make it feasible for the government to start promoting membership, if it wanted to.
      Furthermore, the attention of Finnish decision-makers is focussed on more topical issues, such as nuclear energy and controlling economic pressures.
      As a security policy issue, the NATO debate has recently been spurred primarily by peacekeeping. The Partnership for Peace has brought Finland into the Afghan peacekeeping operation right alongside full members of NATO.
     
Supporters of the operation note that through its active peacekeeping, Finland is buying the right to speak at tables where international conflict resolution is discussed. Opponents feel that Finland has become a country at war, which is not appropriate for a country that is not in a military alliance.
      Officially, Finland takes pride in its current system involving a reservist army that can be convened from among the people, which has a very small group of permanent personnel. It is seen as a manifestation of sorts of single-mindedness and a commitment to national defence.
     
There has been much talk about whether or not joining NATO would require a transition to an all-volunteer army. General Puheloinen feels that Finland could retain its conscription system even as a member of a military alliance.
      “These issues are perfectly compatible, they are not at odds with one another in any way”, he told Helsingin Sanomat. He feels that this is a good thing, because as a by-product of universal conscription, the Defence Forces get inexpensive access to the knowledge and skills acquired by conscripts and reservists in civilian life.
      In his interview, the Chief of Defence emphasised that when a conscript or reservist returns home, he needs to have the feeling that he was doing the right thing.
     
Under the Finnish constitution, “every Finnish citizen is obligated to take part in the defence of the country, or to assist in it as the law requires”. In connection with possible NATO membership, consideration should be given to whether or not the obligation can be expanded to cover NATO’s common defence.
      If the constitution needs to be amended, the new formulation should involve extensive consensus in Parliament. Achieving this will not be easy.
      What would happen if Finland were wedged into NATO in a manner that many Finns would feel was forced?
     
Judging from the Puheloinen interview, there is good reason to suspect that this would probably reduce the number of people who feel that they are doing the “right thing” that he feels is important. This, in turn, would weaken the popularity of military service, which is the foundation of the defence structure.
      Puheloinen expressed his feelings on who he felt that the Finnish military is working for.
      “We are accountable to Finnish taxpayers”, he said.
      So are the politicians.
      The NATO debate requires the leadership of politicians with understandable arguments. Muttering about security is not enough.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 21.5.2010


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Chief of Defence Ari Puheloinen ready to compromise on current strength of 350,000 reservists, but compulsory military service will remain - even if Finland joins NATO (19.5.2010)
  Finns involved in major NATO operation in Afghanistan (16.4.2010)
  Poll: Anti-NATO sentiment eases somewhat (6.4.2010)

JOUNI MÖLSÄ / Helsingin Sanomat
jouni.molsa@hs.fi