ASEM
SATURDAY 9.9. Finland institutes Schengen internal border checks as ASEM security measure
Dozens turned away; thousands undergo security background checks
Dozens of people entering Finland from other Schengen countries have been refused entry during the slightly more than two weeks that Finland has been temporarily implementing identity checks for those arriving from other countries in the Schengen zone.
The main reason for the inspections is the ASEM summit, which officially begins on Sunday.
Major Jussi Sainio of the Finnish Border Guard says that the exact number of those turned away from Finland is "in the tens". He would not give out a precise figure, or the reasons why some have been refused entry.
Lieutenant-Colonel Olli Lampinen of the Border Security Unit of the Border Guard says that no special security threats have emerged at the borders.
Internal border inspections were previously in use during the World Championships in Athletics held in Helsinki last year. At that time, about 100 people were refused entry during a period of about three weeks - mainly for missing identity documents.
The inspections have not slowed the entry process, says Janne Piironen, head of the Helsinki Border Inspection Unit.
Some of the inspections involve passengers chosen at random. Groups and individuals whom officials have reason to believe could constitute a security threat are also subject to closer scrutiny.
Piironen says that some crimes have also come to light during the inspections. "Cases that are normally found in external border traffic. For instance, arranging illegal entry."
The meetings connected with the Finnish EU Presidency have also prompted background checks on large numbers of people. The Ministry of the Interior estimates that thousands of people have undergone a security check, according to Martti Kunnasvuori of the Police Department of the Ministry of the interior.
People subject to background vetting include journalists, hotel employees, and service personnel who have access to restricted areas.
Kunnasvuori says that only very few people have failed their background checks.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 8.9.2006 - TODAY |
 SATURDAY 9.9. Finland institutes Schengen internal border checks as ASEM security measure |
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