Monday, April 16, 2018

Norway Invades Finland

Reminiscent of the time Switzerland invaded Liechtenstein.*

From the Barents Observer, April 11:

Norwegian soldiers crossed border to Finland 
While the Finnish Border Guard has launched serious investigation, other Finns make social media jokes suggesting unconditionally surrender to get access to Norway’s oil money and know-how on asthma medication.

The incident took place in the northern part of Enontekiö municipality, where Finland borders northern Norway, the Finnish Border Guard informs. A short note tells that the soldiers unauthorized border crossings took place last Thursday, but was made public a week later.
The snowmobile ride on the Finnish side of the border lasted for about a kilometre and the soldiers were at a maximum of 400 meters into the territory of their eastern neighbour.

Norwegian and Finnish authorities are now investigating the case, which first was informed to the Finns by Norwegian military officials. The two countries share a 736 kilometres long border in the north.

Spokesperson Major Brynjar Stordal with the Norwegian Joint Headquarters confirms the soldiers border crossing.

“A Norwegian patrol on snowmobiles was on the wrong navigation path last Thursday, so they entered the Finnish side of the border by a few hundred metres,” Stordal tells to the Barents Observer.
He says the patrol reported the incident to the Headquarters, who again informed Finnish authorities via diplomatic channels.

Stordal underlines that Norway and Finland have a well known good relationship, including military joint trainings....

...MORE

*As noted in 2015's "A Comment on the Swiss":
A few years ago they invaded a neighboring country*, then they broke all the rules of high society** and now the central bank goes and does this.***
It brings to mind Senator Levin's informed critique:
-Senator Carl Levin
March 3, 2009
*"Swiss in Liechtenstein 'invasion'"
The Liechtensteiner and Liechtensteinerinnen locals gave the troops cookies and cocoa.
The Swiss soldiers were a bit embarrassed about all the attention but ate the cookies.