The Finnish Security Police (SUPO) are launching a training programme for Finns being deployed in crisis areas to help them deal with possible attempts of recruitment by foreign intelligence services.
A decision to start the training was made on Monday by SUPO and the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) Finland, after Helsingin Sanomat had published a story on attempts at recruitment of Finns on missions abroad.
The training will consist of a lecture by SUPO, which is to be included in the orientation training for civilians being sent to crisis areas for various missions. Other topics of the two-week training period include questions such as civilian crisis management operations, cultural differences, land mine safety, and negotiation and reporting skills.
The training takes place at CMC in Kuopio. CMC director Ari Kerkkänen says that the first SUPO lectures will be held already in January.
The Crisis Management Centre, which operates under the authority of the Ministry of the Interior, sends about 150 Finns each year to crisis areas around the world.
On Monday Helsingin Sanomat reported that Finnish UN employees - including military observers and civilian personnel - had repeatedly been approached by foreign intelligence agents in attempts to enlist their services.
Recruiters included military and diplomatic personnel as well as workers of international aid organisations and peace groups.
