Mikser: Estonia Can't Be Global Policeman
Social Democrat leader Sven Mikser says Estonia is rushing to send troops to a mission in the Central Africa Republic and overstepping its international role.
"Estonia doesn't have the capacity to be a global policeman. This is a role and possibility for much bigger countries. So this is extraordinary haste," Mikser told uudised.err.ee.
"Estonia is, as we know, one of only very few countries that have declared an intention to take part in the Central African Republic mission," he said.
Mikser rapped Defense Minister Urmas Reinsalu for contacting the media before consulting with Parliamentary committee members on the matter.
Mikser's concerns included funding, the nature of Estonia's security interests in central Africa and risks potentially faced by troops. He also said the legal footing for the mission under international law was unclear.
Mikser said previous Defense Forces missions have been planned for a much longer period in advance and had a clearer tie-in with national security interests.
Last week, the Cabinet decided to ask Parliament for support to send up to 55 Estonian troops on a four-month-long EU mission in the Central African Republic. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has called a meeting today at 11:00 to discuss the matter with the National Defense Council, consisting of top Cabinet and Parliamentary leaders.