860D.6359 International Nickel Company/30: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:15 p.m.]
109. President Ryti informed me today that the Soviet Government had expressed readiness to continue Petsamo nickel negotiations in Helsinki through the new Soviet Minister, Orlov, who presented credentials April 24. Orlov was described by the President as more amenable than his predecessor63 and the Finns seem hopeful that progress can be made with the new Minister.
Ryti said Finnish Government was withholding latest memorandum which had been sent to its Legation at Moscow on nickel question pending result of proposed conversations here. Finnish Government, he said, stands on refusal to turn management and operation of the mine to Russians but, as I gathered, remains disposed to grant participation and perhaps control in suggested holding company leaving operating company in position to turn over product to Russians and Germans more or less in proportions previously contemplated.
Copy to Moscow.
- P. G. Orlov had succeeded Ivan S. Zotov.↩