President says not enough peacekeepers for Darfur operation

Halonen inspects naval unit in Turku

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President Tarja Halonen feels that Finland does not currently have the capacity to take part in the planned United Nations Darfur peacekeeping operation in Sudan.
      "When Finland quickly took greater responsibility than usual for peacekeeping in Lebanon, I said already then that we are taking a more cautious view of Darfur - focusing on Lebanon, as well as the existing missions in the Balkans and Afghanistan", Halonen said in Turku on Tuesday.
      The possible use of the Nordic Battle Group of the European Union's rapid response forces in Sudan's neighbour Chad will be decided according to the need at the appropriate time. The Nordic Battle Group (NBG) is to be in readiness from the beginning of next year.
      At her press conference, Halonen also indicated that she continues to oppose donating a consignment of assault rifles to Afghanistan.
     
In her capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, Halonen inspected a Naval unit at the Archipelago Sea naval defence area in Turku.
      Halonen arrived by boat from her nearby summer residence of Kultaranta, and boarded the naval mine vessel Hämeenmaa.
      At sea, the President was given a demonstration of fighting oil spills and sweeping mines. After that, she arrived at the Pansio naval base in Turku.
      In Pansio, forces of the Uusimaa Brigade trained for international operations put on a display of protecting civilians facing a hazardous situation.
     
In spite of the heat, the soldiers were in full battledress. One speciality were the floating flak-jackets that they wore in addition to their life-jackets. "The president grinned and asked if we didn't have anything warmer", said Under-Sgt Alexander Hämäläinen as beads of perspiration dripped down his nose. A Finn living in Sweden, he had come from Stockholm to do his military service, and admitted that he was slightly nervous about meeting the President.
     
At the press conference, Halonen emphasised the importance of the Navy in a country like Finland that is so heavily dependent on shipping. She also mentioned its role in fighting environmental disasters.
      Halonen also said that Finland has no reason to take a negative attitude toward the planned gas pipeline through the Baltic, but the environmental impact assay must be conducted well.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish rapid deployment forces could go to Chad under Swedish command (14.8.2007)
  Haavisto: Afghan and Darfur operations do not rule each other out (10.8.2007)

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