860D.00/4–2545: Telegram
The United States Representative in Finland (Hamilton) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 26—11:09 p.m.]
183. The program presented to the Diet by Prime Minister Paasikivi41 on April 19 reported in Stockholm’s 1471 of April 20,42 is a succinct and skillful statement conducive to enlisting general support, of principal problems confronting Finland. Close contact and understanding with the Diet is first emphasized. The new Diet composition is affirmed to reflect clear democratic trend and desire for divorcement from wartime politics.
In foreign policy, the program strikes a popular note by starting from the sovereign independence of Finland. The Government pledges itself to follow what the United Nations have outlined at the Yalta and other conferences. Among forefront of Government objectives is promotion of relations with Soviet Union on basis of mutual confidence and respect. There is healthy realism in emphasis given to fulfillment of armistice terms. The Government uses quite general terms to state that logical conclusions must be drawn from investigation of war responsibility and that decision as to appropriate measures must be taken “in accordance with existing law”. The quoted statement appeals to traditional Finnish concepts of jurisprudence and accords with Paasikivi’s previously-expressed attitude. It may constitute a bone of contention with Leftist elements clamoring for people’s courts.
The program contains statement conforming to tradition on desirability of friendly relations with other Scandinavian countries. [Page 613] A new note is sounded in expression of hope for reestablishment of normal relations with the various United Nations.
Passing to domestic policy, the program contains significant statements calling for elimination of all vestiges of wartime politics and for purging from cultural life of chauvinistic and undemocratic trends. This statement, and those referring to war responsibility investigation, the Yalta conference and reflection of clear democratic trend, fit in with statements in Soviet press and in local Leftist press that all Fascist elements need to be eliminated.
[Here follow details of the Government’s proposed domestic policy.]
The Government’s program is clear-cut, with the important exception of statements bearing on question of war responsibilities and further democratization of Finland. On these points the program is couched in sufficiently broad terms to command general support. There will continue the struggle between the more and the less extreme groups to bring about interpretation which each desires to place on these general terms.