Finland to participate in the UN mission in Chad and in support measures for the ISAF mission to secure elections in Afghanistan
Press Release 78/2009
13 March, 2009
The President of the Republic has today, 13 March, decided on Finland’s participation in the UN operation in Chad and on support measues for the ISAF mission to secure the arrangement of elections in Afghanistan.
Finland will take part in the military component of the UN mission in Chad and the Central African Republic by deploying about 80 soldiers. The Finnish detachment will be situated in the southern operational area in Chad, in connection with the Irish battalion. The Finnish company’s tasks will include patrolling, the protection of civilians, crime prevention, contacts with aid organisations and the creation of a safe operational environment.
Finland has participated in the EU military crisis management mission in Chad by deploying about 60 military personnel, who have been located at the mission headquarters in Abéché. The final stage of the EU mission is being launched as planned on 15 March, when responsibility will be transferred to the UN.
Finland will take part in support measues for the ISAF mission to secure the arrangement of presidential and provincial elections in Afghanistan on 20 August. The country’s own security authorities bear primary responsibility for ensuring the security of the elections. Temporary election forces to support the activities of local security authorities are being assembled in response to the request for support in UN Security Council Resolution 1833. The success of the elections is of central importance to the country’s democratic development and stability.
Finland will participate by sending a detachment of 100 soldiers to the northern command area of Afghanistan for a period of four to five months. The Finnish forces will be formed of civilian and military joint action groups, protection forces and a national support component. The main function of the civilian and military joint action groups will be to maintain contacts with local-level authorities and the population and to collect and disseminate up-to-date, accurate information. In their activities, the protection forces will focus on reservist tasks supporting Afghanistan’s own security forces.
Additional information: Timo Kantola, Head of the Unit for Security Policy and Crisis Management, tel. +358 9 1605 5480