Strong talk in Finland taking wider role in Afghanistan

[Happy Times]

The director of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, an independent think-tank, believes that Finland should seriously consider expanding its operations in Afghanistan.

Raimo Väyrynen says that at the least, the increasing instability in the region means that the Finnish government needs to set down a clear policy of involvement. This includes a thorough discussion of the risks, justifications, and political reasons for peacekeeping.

"The question is, how ready is Finland to commit to Afghanistan," Väyrynen says. "Is Finland ready to accept responsibility for a whole area in the north? This would definitely require sending more resources, and the risk would increase."

He added that he doesn't see how Finland can decide to pull out, especially since co-operation with other Nordic countries has worked well.

The government is planning to do a thorough re-evaluation of its peacekeeping policy this autumn. The government has already decided to pull out of Lebanon, where Finland has a very small presence to help in de-mining. It?s expected that Finland will increase its presence in Kosovo.

http://www.yle.fi/news/left/id65222.html

Good that this is discussed, its time to start taking some responsibility and stop hiding behind others backs. The foreign minister, defense minister and military have allready proposed this. Now its up to our weak links, prime minister and the president. People seem to be ready, there have been no demands to get out of Afganistan. NATO has offered three possible PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Teams) areas for Finland, Nimroz next to Helmland bordering Pakistan, Deikund and Panshir near Kabul. None of them are in the north, and he knows it very well. I think a few f-18s, SOF and Jäger batallion with Leopards and AMOS would be a good contribution.