GLOBAL NEWS FLASHES EXCERPT (w/c: 25MAY21)
SOURCED BY: The Associated Press
Non-essential personnel to leave U.S. embassy in Finland
Growing concerns over tensions between Finland and Russia motivated a recent decision by the U.S. government to evacuate all non-essential personnel from its embassy in Finland. U.S. officials have indicated they will begin relocating embassy staff in the coming days, and strongly suggest U.S. citizens leave Finland as soon as possible.
Violent protests over the presence of Russian security forces in Finland have continued to rage across the country and at least one incident of U.S. citizens being injured has been reported. According to the report, a couple who are U.S. citizens but reside in Finland were misidentified as having thrown bricks at Russian security contractors after they were caught up in a protest in Virolahti. The men were injured during their arrest by Russian contractors and were later released to the care of the Police of Finland.
In addition to the growing violence, the occurrence of protests has also led to fears that Finland could see a surge in COVID-19 cases soon.
The Finnish-Russian Economic Revitalization Treaty of 2021 (FRERT), signed between Finland and Russia in late April was meant to boost the Finnish government’s ability to purchase more COVID-19 vaccines, save the country’s failing industrial sector and revitalize its economy. In return, the Russian government was given the right to drill for natural gas within the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone (FEEZ).
Instead, tensions have grown over a section of the treaty which authorizes Russian security forces (from both the government and those contracted by independent Russian firms) to be present in Finland to protect drilling operations. Some international law experts believe the treaty may give diplomatic immunity to Russians operating in the country to explore and drill for natural gas in the FEEZ, and to secure supply routes along the Finnish coastal highway.
Protestors have called for the removal of the Russians as well as the resignation of Finnish President Laina Virtanen and have become more violent as both parties refuse to acquiesce to their demands. Though Virtanen and the Finnish government have repeatedly called for the Russians to exit Finland, the Russians have refused, insisting they are operating legally under the FRERT.
Following last week's destruction of a pair of drones operated by NATO and the U.S. Navy, a spokesperson from SafeAsia, the largest private security firm operating within Finland, cited what he alleged is a "growing number of sophisticated drone attacks by anti-Russian Finnish terrorists" in justifying the group's need to protect its employees. According to the firm, the high cost and relative infancy of anti-drone technology has forced the organization to resort to military-style anti-air weaponry to counter the drones.
Further complicating the situation are claims made by Finnish citizens and the government that Russian security forces, including contracted private security firms, have committed human rights violations. The Russians cite ongoing attacks against their personnel and equipment by opposition groups as justification for what the Finnish government has called “heavy-handed tactics.”
This published news excerpt is the fictional work of the S-2 Intelligence Team of the 506th IRRU.
