War of words heats up between Frontier Guard and Border Guards' Union

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Arguments over the ongoing labour dispute between the Finnish Frontier Guard and the Guards' Union are hotting up. According to the union, controlling of border crossings during the strike has been insufficient.
      While admitting that there have been attempts to take advantage of the situation, the Frontier Guard believes that illegal actions are focusing on the outgoing traffic.
     
"A group of seven Georgians arriving from Russia crossed the border without any proper inspection at Vainikkala on Tuesday", claimed strike chief Kari Toivanen.
      Lieutenant-Colonel Pasi Tolvanen, the commander of the Southeast Finland Frontier Guard District, denies the allegation. "In the course of the strike, tens of thousands of travellers have come to Finland - decent citizens including even Georgians. No dramatic events have been involved", Tolvanen argues.
     
The inspection of passports has been limited to those travellers arriving in Finland from outside the EU and EEA. The personnel resources have been focused on making sure that the travellers do not present any threat to the life, health, or property of the citizens. There have been no inspections on the Finnish side for those leaving Finland at the Vaalimaa and Nuijamaa border crossings.
      Pasi Tolvanen issues the assurance that the statutory border security duties are being carried out even under the current circumstances, and using the resources that are available.
     
"The Russian Frontier Guard is aware of the situation with all its implications", says Tolvanen.
      "The Russians can verify the authenticity of travel documents, but they do not know whether or not a traveller has received a Schengen ban", argues the union's Kari Toivanen.
     
"Currently there is no risk that the situation could be taken advantage of", says Director General Eero Laine of the Police Department of Finland's Ministry of the Interior.
      No concerns have been expressed over the Finnish labour dispute in Sweden, either. "We have no reason to suspect Finland's ability to handle the border checks properly", commented Kjell-Åke Karlsson of Sweden's border control unit in Stockholm.
      The parties to the ongoing strike are to resume the negotiations on Wednesday of next week. The current stoppage will end on Saturday, but the Border Guards' Union has already outlined its plans for an extension to the strike action, including ultimately the country's seaports and Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland's Minister of the Interior appeals to Frontier Guard strikers (9.6.2005)

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