 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Non-aligned Finland to join NATO rapid reaction force
Helsinki (AFP) March 7, 2008 Finland said Friday it would take part in NATO's future rapid reaction force, a move criticised by some members of the opposition who see it as a step towards joining the alliance. Finnish President Tarja Halonen and the government had given the green light to the Nordic country's participation in "activities supplementing NATO's Response Force", defence ministry official Mari Etelaepaeae told AFP. Parliament is expected to vote on the issue soon, but the proposal is widely expected to pass as the government has a broad majority. The Conservative Party has pushed for Finland's participation in the NATO force since the government coalition came to power in March 2007 legislative elections. Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva and Defense Minister Jyri Haekaemies, both members of the National Coalition Party, were also strong supporters. Halonen is generally opposed to a Finnish rapprochement with NATO, but the constitution prevents the president from opposing government decisions. However, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen stressed at a press conference Friday that the decision was taken "in good cooperation" with the president. Halonen has previously noted that Finland's troops are already spread thin, with troop deployments in the Balkans, in Afghanistan under NATO command and in Chad, among others. Jaakko Laakso, a member of the Left Alliance and an opponent of NATO, said Friday's decision "objectively brings Finland closer to NATO". He said Helsinki should only have agreed to participate in the force if there were a mandate from the United Nations. "That should be a prerequisite," he told AFP. Related Links Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters A world of storm and tempest When the Earth Quakes
Millions Of Victims, Little Aid For Philippines Disaster Victims
Manila (AFP) March 6, 2008Natural and man-made disasters affect nearly one in 10 people in the Philippines every year but millions of victims are largely left to fend for themselves, the Asian Development Bank said Thursday. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
