ProKarelia is a Finnish irredentist group that works for the return to Finland of Finnish Karelia, Petsamo, Salla and some islands in Gulf of Finland ceded to the Soviet Union in past treaties in Moscow and Paris (See Karelian question in Finnish politics).[1] As a preliminary goal the group hopes to overturn the articles of the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 and remove Finnish responsibility in starting the Continuation War.[1]
ProKarelia strives to make the Karelian question better known. According to the organization itself, ProKarelia's ideas do not include aggressive actions, nor do the association participate in demonstrations.
ProKarelia publishes Internet pages in eight languages. It mails articles to decision-makers all over the world. ProKarelia also publishes the Karelia Klubi journal four times a year.
ProKarelia's spokespersons are Heikki A. Reenpää and Antero Siljola. Supporters include many professors, generals and researchers.
Nord Stream
In 2009 the activists of ProKarelia tried to block the building of the Nord Stream operated gas pipeline between Russia and Western Europe. Making a large mining claim of the sea floor between Finland and Estonia, the actual purpose was to gain a bargaining chip to require the return of the Russian territories lost to Soviet Union during the Second World War. The mining estate was never granted, but the bad faith operation was widely reported in the media.[2][3]
References
- ^ a b Ilkka Lappalainen (12 October 2009). "Karjalasta kajahtaa kohta". Kaleva (in Finnish). Retrieved 2012-03-16.
- ^ Kustaa Hulkko (September 2009). "Päätös Nord Streamia kampittavasta kaivosvaltauksesta tänä syksynä" (in Finnish). Suomen Kuvalehti. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
- ^ YLE Uutiset (August 2009). "Ahtisaari torjuu liikemiesten Karjala-neuvottelut" (in Finnish). YLE. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
External links
Related organizations