United States Assistant Secretary of State A. Elizabeth Jones praised Finland on Monday for its input in calming the situation in Iraq.
Jones arrived in Helsinki on Monday for a two-day visit to brief Finnish leaders on the plans of President George W. Bush for his second term.
On Monday she met with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja (SDP).
Top US foreign policy figures, including Secretary of State Colin Powell, have been recently trying to mend fences with European countries angered by the unilateral decision to go to war against Iraq.
Elizabeth Jones went out of her way to praise Finland for its input in the peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan, and for its help in the reconstruction of Iraq, as well as Finland’s support for UN efforts in Iraq.
Finland has contributed two million euros to help prepare for the planned elections in Iraq, and another two million for the reconstruction of administrative structures and the country’s civic society.
Jones emphasised that the Iraqi elections scheduled for January are very important for the democratic development of Iraq.
Nevertheless, the continued violence in the country has cast doubt on whether or not they can be held.
"The UN and the rest of us are working to make it possible for the Iraqis to use their democratic right to choose their leaders in an election", Jones said.
