Finland ponders civilian crisis management involvement in Iraq

Government Press Release 181/2003 13 June 2003

On Friday, 13 June, the meeting between the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Iraq and, in particular, Finland's participation in the stabilisation of Iraq in the aftermath of the war.

A broad-based international cooperation is being launched to begin the reconstruction of Iraq and improve the security situation in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1483. Finland will continue to gather information on the post-war stability operation and on its organisation.

The meeting made a decision that efforts will be continued to examine the kind of civil crisis management tasks that could be initiated in Iraq. In the same context, it will be examined whether Finland could contribute to the process by sending, e.g., coroners to Iraq or by providing experts for the staff of a possible EU police project. Finland has assigned three rescue service experts to field operations in Iraq.

In addition, a decision was made to examine the possibilities of contributing financially to the reconstruction of Iraq on the basis of a request from the UN or its special organisation.

Finland has hitherto allocated and paid 4.8 million euros to humanitarian aid through international organisations.

For further information please contact: Markus Lyra, Director-General, Political Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. + 358 9 160 55032