Finland's Top Officer Opposes Cluster Munitions Ban

Admiral Juhani Kaskeala, the commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, said Monday that Finland should not sign the convention on cluster munitions. Adm Kaskeala added that a ban on cluster munitions would crucially impair Finland's defence capabilities.>> Speaking at the opening of the national defence course, Adm Kaskeala said the impact of destroying cluster munitions would be many times greater than that arising from the ratification of the Ottawa treaty banning antipersonnel landmines.>> The admiral added that Russia and the United States were among countries not planning to sign the convention and that Finland should not give up cluster munitions before its neighbouring countries did.>> "Until such time Finland's cluster munitions pose a threat only to those who attempt to penetrate the country by force of arms," Adm Kaskeala said.>> In 2004, Finland pledged to sign the Ottawa treaty and set about procuring cluster munitions to replace its stockpile of anti-personnel landmines, to be destroyed by 2016.>> -ends->