President Clarifies on Peacekeeping Operations
Image: YLE
President Tarja Halonen says neither the President or Foreign Minister should be involved in the technical details concerning peacekeeping operations. Meanwhile the exact date for the return of Finnish peacekeepers from Afghanistan remains unclear. Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies says thought was given last week to keeping them in the country for the second round of presidential elections.
President Halonen's comments came at the end of her visit to the Middle East. Halonen’s visit has been overshadowed by a communications breakdown concerning the homecoming timetable of Finland’s peacekeepers from Afghanistan.
The President visited UN peacekeepers stationed on the Golan Heights in Syria on Friday. Five Finnish peacekeepers are among 6,000 UN troops stationed on the demarcation line between Syria and Israel.
Referring to the communication breakdown over the timetable for withdrawing Finnish peacekeepers from Afghanistan, Halonen said neither the President or Foreign minister could be involved in the technical details. Nonetheless, both parties expected to be kept better informed of future developments, she noted. Halonen said she would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen upon her return home.
For his part, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb stressed no change has taken place in the country’s policy on peacekeeping in Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Jyri Häkämies said possibilities to extend the stay of the additional Finnish peacekeepers were considered last weekend. Thought had also given to despatching additional peacekeepers to assist with the second round of Afghanistan's presidential elections. He added the request had come from the Foreign Ministry.
YLE