Viking hordes between a rock and soft place

By Rein F. Deer

Date: 08/06/06

Professional soldiers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Estonia are busy going through their drills under EU bonnets and cockade, aiming to give a northern dimension to Europe's pacific intentions.

In 2008 this 'Nordic Battle Group' (NBG) will be on alert if and when foreign policy supremo Javier Solana raises the alarm. Within ten days, these peace mercenaries have to present themselves wherever there's a fire, for example Africa.

While NATO takes care of routine heavy-duty stuff like dropping bombs, Europe's rapid reaction forces will carry out humanitarian, rescue and peace-keeping assignments. They might also do a bit of arresting war criminals and such-like and are expected to lend the locals a hand in post-conflict stabilisation.

It's no great wonder that the Nordic people are such good peacekeepers. They know all about peace. Historically, the people who lived up here were tamed when Hägar the Horrible and his Viking troops arrived, spiritual predecessors of the heavy metal band Lordi, which provided Finland with its first-ever Eurovision song contest win, Hard Rock Hallelujah.

What do these countries have in common? There are at least some geo-political similarities and a lot of history, but differences, too.

Estonia was occupied for 50 years by the Red Army, an episode that Vladimir Putin's Russia still insists was an amicable visit welcomed by the locals: Estonia joined NATO as soon as it possibly could.

Finland fought two major wars against the Russians. It was never occupied, but the humiliating word 'Finlandisation' described its mental capitulation during the Cold War. Finland's plight was a warning to the rest of Europe not to be too servile towards Moscow. Even today Finland wants to stay 'neutral'.

Norway was invaded by German troops and occupied for five years. Since the liberation in 1945 the Norwegians have been devoted allies.

Sweden is the Gladstone Gander in the Nordic family. This Social Democratic monarchy had to work hard for peace, in the last war doing favours for both the Allies and the Axis.

It is hard to imagine any other culture that would take pride in 200 years of unbroken peace on such terms. But that's the way they are in Flatpackland and it is the psychological background to explain why the Swedes, like the Finns, are armed to the teeth, but reluctant about joining NATO.

No doubt the NBGs will do a great job in small rogue states. But some may wonder if the EU needs a different kind of rapid reaction force when Gazprom, Yukos, and Lukoil are taking possession of Europe so much more efficiently than the Red Army ever did.

Comment feature on the Nordic Battlegroup, one of the EU's rapid reaction units, which was to involve troops from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Estonia and was expected to be on alert from 2008.

• Primary Source