(Translation)
SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
AT A PROMOTION AND COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
FOR CADETS ON 1.6.1999
Cadets!
I congratulate you on your success in the examination that you
have taken to become officers. I hereby promote you to the rank
of First Lieutenant and award you commissions in the Defence
Forces and Frontier Guard.
Young Officers!
During her history as an independent state, Finland has
experienced enough battles and tragedy. Our participation in
todays wars is mainly through the news media only. Most of
the thanks for this is, naturally, due to our veterans. Their
legacy has been passed on to younger generations. The Finns
will to defend their country is second to none. Over 80 per cent
of men do their national service. Our Defence Forces enjoy the
esteem of the nation. There is satisfaction in all quarters with
the decisions that we have taken in the field of defence policy.
All of this has made it possible for our country to make its own
choices as the situation with regard to security policy has
evolved.
The structure of our defence and our forces are being developed
in the manner approved by Parliament to ensure that they
correspond better to changed circumstances and assessments of the
future. The State and the people consider it vitally important to
maintain the capability of our Defence Forces and develop it also
in the future. The atmosphere in which you are commencing your
work is positive all round.
Finlands international military interoperability and
preparedness to participate in crisis management are part of the
credibility of our defence. Within our resources we must shoulder
our share of international responsibility. The NATO Partnership
for Peace programme offers one instrument for this, in addition
to traditional UN peacekeeping operations. Thus participating in
international cooperation can be part of the careers as officers
on which you have just embarked.
Although international crisis-management tasks are increasing,
our forces must concentrate on what is most essential: being
responsible for national defence. Your most important task is to
maintain and develop the ability of Finland and the Finns to
defend themselves.
From the perspective of the nations will to defend itself,
correctly conducted training for national servicemen as well as
refresher courses for reservists have a key role. As future
trainers and educators, you will be assuming a demanding task.
Our revised system of conscript training has gotten off to a good
start in practice. Your biggest challenge will be to train
competent leaders, who together with well-trained subordinates
will be capable of action in extremely difficult circumstances.
An increase in the number of refresher training courses, which
are important for a credible defence capability, will demand
extra efforts on your part from next year onwards.
I am convinced that you are well able to respond to the
challenges facing you. To help you, you have an
effectively-functioning defence system, the solid support of the
political authorities and citizens as well as motivated and
skilled workers.
Young Officers, I extend to you my best encouragement and wishes
for success in your demanding careers.
Rector of the National Defence College, directors of and teachers
at military institutes!
I thank you for a job well done and wish you success in your
demanding task of training officers.