(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 today’s 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.

Finland’s 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 nation’s 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.