It has been reported that a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Finland and the United States could be ready for signing at the civil servant level as early as this week. Under its terms, it would, for example, allow for the construction of US military infrastructure in Finland, advance storage of materials, and for US soldiers to arrive at shorter notice for training and exercises in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat reported that Jussi Saramo, the chair of the parliamentary group of the Left Alliance, and a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, says his party is not yet ready to support the agreement on the basis of the information it currently has.
"We don't know anything about it, as far as what is being concretely agreed upon," Saramo said, referring, for example, to the areas that will be made available for use by US troops in Finland.
According to Saramo, the Left Alliance is also interested in information about the weapon systems that could be placed in Finland. He told the paper that weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons should be banned in the text, even though Finnish law already prohibits bringing nuclear weapons into the country.
"I am most pessimistic about legal jurisdiction on Finnish soil. In any case, we are going to give up some of our sovereignty regarding US [military] people who are here," Saramo stated.
The Left Alliance was in government when the DCA agreement negotiations began last year.
Saramo added that he does not oppose or support the agreement.
"Of course, since we're in Nato it's good that we created structures with which Nato's undisputed largest military power can more smoothly help us if necessary, and we can train together here," Saramo said.
It has been speculated that many of the US forces that will train in Finland under the terms of the DCA will be stationed in the far north of the country.
Helsingin Sanomat interviewed locals in Rovaniemi to find out how they feel about the prospect of a regular American military presence in the area.
The paper summed up the responses by writing, "US soldiers are welcome in the north just like other foreigners. Local businesses will get more customers at the same time, but they'll have to know how to behave themselves when enjoying the nightlife."
Covid risks
The Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) has recommended a new coronavirus booster for anyone over the age of 65, people 18 and over who belong to medical risk groups, and anyone over the age of 12 who is severely immunocompromised.
Aamulehti writes that the latest booster became available in the Pirkanmaa region on Monday. Tero Harjuntausta, the assistant chief physician of the Pirkanmaa welfare county, told the paper that hundreds of shots are being given daily, but that there may be a wait of several weeks to get an appointment, and in some locales the next free slots for a booking are not until December.
Harjuntausta, said that everyone in recommended groups should now book an appointment for a booster vaccination. "Now we are at the point where the number of coronavirus infections has started to rise," he pointed out.
On Monday, there were 39 patients with Covid in specialised hospital care in the Pirkanmaa region, with some in intensive care.
Harjuntausta noted that for the average person, a coronavirus infection is much like a regular bout of flu. Vaccinations are primarily intended to protect risk groups.
Migri hiring more staff
The Finnish Immigration Service Migri will be expanding staff by about 150 next year, the Uutissuomalainen news group reported.
According to Migri Director General Ilkka Haahtela, the additional resources will be allocated to speeding up permit processing, primarily for international protection, students and employees.
In addition to that, more resources are to be channelled into supervision and removal from the country.
Haahtela also said that Migri is undertaking an efficiency programme and organizational reform.
"We definitely need to make our own operations more efficient. The permits that are granted should be handled quickly, reliably and securely. If a person receives a negative permit decision or a permit is revoked, then the return from Finland should take place quickly," he said.
Waste and pay
Ilta-Sanomat tells readers that Suan Aahaan, a Thai restaurant in Sipoo, is battling food waste with a nearly 12-euro surcharge levied on customers who throw away food they take from the buffet table.
"I have signs everywhere in the restaurant that I show them before they pay. If they don't like it, they can leave," says restaurant owner and chef Vaw Myllynen.
Regular customers are already familiar with the practice, and Myllynen makes sure the policy is quite clear to first-time diners in the restaurant, as well.
"In addition, I explain the problem very loudly to those who look intent on wasting food. When I talk to them loudly, they start to feel embarrassed when the other customers look at them," Myllynen explained.
Myllynen said that the amount of waste from the buffet has clearly decreased and in practice the extra charge has only been imposed two or three times.
Ilta-Sanomat added that a few other restaurants in Helsinki have started the same practice, as has at least one in Tampere where diners may end up paying as much as 30 euros extra for a meal if they waste food from the buffet.
Myllynen thinks that many buffet restaurants may be afraid of bad reviews or comments online if they start charging customers for wasted food.
"It doesn't worry me. I would say that 95 percent of our customers have been satisfied and understand it."
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