Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the Iraq situation
Government Information Office
The meeting of the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy on Friday, 7 March 2003, considered the current situation vis-à-vis Iraq.
The extraordinary European Council meeting, held on 17 February 2003, reached a common stand on the Iraq question, which Finland considers of great importance. This unison must be maintained.
The Government of Finland continues to give its full support to the efforts of the UN Security Council and hopes that the role of the Council will remain central in the process. Finland hopes that the crisis can be resolved in a peaceful manner.
The crisis can be brought to a peaceful conclusion provided that Iraq fulfils its obligations regarding disarmament and fully collaborates with the UN weapons inspectors and that all countries commit themselves not to act without UN authorization. The time, as well as the human and technical resources used for the arms inspections, can be increased in consultation with the inspection leadership and in accordance with the Security Council's decisions. The inspections cannot, however, be continued endlessly if Iraq fails to fully cooperate and, consequently, the possibility of using military force cannot be ruled out entirely.
Any use of military force will require the authorization of the UN Security Council and all unauthorized use of military force is unacceptable.
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The meeting also discussed Finland's preparations for the EU-Russia Summit to be held in St Petersburg at the end of May.
Finland's participation in the UN crisis management operation in Macedonia (FYROM)
The meeting favoured Finland's participation in the EU's first crisis management operation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM. The operation is being transferred to the EU from NATO. The mission is in line with the UN Resolution issued in 2001 in which the UN gave its determined support to establishing the presence of a multinational peacekeeping force in Macedonia.
The operation is to contribute to the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement that is vital to the stability of the region.
Finland's participation in the operation in Macedonia is a natural continuation to Finland's commitment to the stabilization and development of the Western Balkans, one of the EU's neighbouring regions. Moreover, Finland can support EU crisis management in the latter's first military operation by participating in the mission. Finland would provide a maximum of ten peacekeepers for the operation.
Further information: Markus Lyra, Director-General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 160 55032