Press Release/Commentary by DCC posted on June 16, 2004 at 12:13:05: EST (-5 GMT)

PR: Finland ready to participate in UN peacekeeping operation in Sudan

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Department for Communication and Culture
16.6.2004

Finland is prepared to send four staff officers to a United Nations' peacekeeping operation in Sudan and a military observer as part of a European Union observer group to monitor the local ceasefire treaty.

The UN has been preparing a United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMISUD) peacekeeping operation, set to be swung into operation if the peace talks are brought to a close.

Sending Finnish peacekeepers to Sudan is expected to cost a good 600,000 euros annually. The decision of Finland's readiness was confirmed at the Council of State Wednesday.