Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I support Derek Shearer and urge the Senate to give its advice and consent to his nomination to be Ambassador to Finland at this important period in the relations between our two countries. Over the past several years, Finland has moved to balance its historically close ties to the East with stronger ties to the West. It has replaced the elements of its 1947 Friendship Treaty with the U.S.S.R. which had put Finland in a subsidiary role. In 1992, Finland became an observer in the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, and in February of 1994, Finland completed European Union accession negotiations with the hope of becoming a member in 1995. Recently, the Finnish Government signed the Partnership for Peace Framework Document in Brussels. As leaders in international peacekeeping, the Finns have much to offer NATO in this area. As Finland moves toward closer association with Western European structures, there is a historic opportunity for the United States to strengthen its ties to Finland as well. In 1992, Finland selected United States-made F/A-18 aircraft to replace its aging fleet of Soviet MiGs and Swedish Drakens.”