“The Soviet Union’s Government has examined the Norwegian
Government’s answer of February 1 concerning its declaration in
connection with Norway’s attitude toward the question of an
Atlantic Union.
“As is known, the Soviet Union’s Government in that declaration
requested the Norwegian Government to clarify the Norwegian
Government’s
[Page 92]
attitude
toward the question of an Atlantic Union, particularly
considering the common border between the Soviet Union and
Norway, and likewise to state whether the Norwegian Government
will assume any obligations whatever vis-à-vis the Atlantic
Union in connection with the establishment of air or naval bases
on Norwegian territory.
“From the Norwegian Government’s answer it appears that it is at
the present time considering the question of Norway’s
participation in the Atlantic Union, being of the opinion that
the United Nations is not yet strong enough to maintain peace
and security for all nations. At the same time the Norwegian
Government declares the Atlantic Union must be regarded as one
of the regional agreements which are provided for in the Charter
of the United Nations, whose object it is to prevent
aggression.
“The Soviet Union’s Government does not share the Norwegian
Government’s opinion of the objectives and character of the
Atlantic Union.
“Since the Atlantic Union has been created by a definite group of
Great Powers and does not have as its objective the uniting of
all peace loving nations, but rather aims at lining up one group
of States against other States, it is wholly clear that the
Atlantic Union is a closed grouping of States which in no way is
aimed at strengthening peace and international security.
“Norway’s incorporation in this grouping cannot only not serve to
strengthen Norway’s security, but can on the contrary lead to
Norway’s being drawn into a policy on the part of a particular
group of States which has far-reaching aggressive objects.
“The Soviet Union’s Government cannot agree with the Norwegian
Government’s declaration that the Atlantic Union has been
created in accordance with the United Nations’ objects and
Charter. It is known that the initiators of this Union employ
this kind of argument, but the fact cannot be denied that the
Atlantic Union is in reality being created outside of,
circumvents the United Nations, and serves the interests of
certain great powers’ aggressive policy.
“In its answer, the Norwegian Government vows that Norway will
never participate in a policy which has aggressive objectives
and that it will not permit Norwegian territory to be utilized
in the interests of such a policy.
“The Soviet Union’s Government takes note of this declaration
from the Norwegian Government, but considers it
insufficient.
“The Soviet Union’s Government cannot ignore the circumstance
that the Norwegian Government did not offer any clear answer to
the Soviet Government’s question of whether Norway’s association
with the Atlantic Union would lead to its assuming obligations
with respect
[Page 93]
to the
establishment of air or natal bases on Norway’s territory.
However, it is known that the engagement of small States in this
Union has precisely this object—the taking over of their
territory for the establishment of such bases, something which
in this occasion is of special importance for the Soviet Union,
since Norway and the Soviet Union have a common border.
“In the Norwegian Government’s answer it is said that Norway will
not conclude any agreement with other States making available to
them military bases on Norwegian territory as long as Norway is
not attacked or threatened with attack.
“It follows from such a declaration that it would be sufficient
if there circulated provocatory rumors Or hurriedly concocted
falsifications to the effect that Norway was threatened by
attack for the Norwegian Government, at any time, including the
present period of peace, to make Norway’s territory available
for the military bases and forces of foreign powers.
“In the Norwegian Government’s declaration there can be discerned
an intimation that a threat of attack can emanate from the
Soviet Union. Such an intimation lacks every foundation, since
the Norwegian Government has no reason whatever to doubt the
Soviet Union’s good neighborly-intentions toward Norway,
something which excludes every possibility of attack.
“As the Norwegian Government is aware, the Soviet Union has
always adopted a friendly attitude toward Norway and during the
second world war it contributed its share to Norway’s liberation
from the Fascist aggressors. In addition, the Soviet Union’s
forces were withdrawn from Norway’s territory voluntarily and
even before the Norwegian Government itself desired it.
“But if the Norwegian Government nonetheless doubts the Soviet
Union’s good neighborly-intentions toward Norway, the Soviet
Union’s Government, in order to eliminate all possible doubt
concerning the Soviet Union’s intentions, proposes that the
Norwegian Government enter into a non-aggression pact with the
Soviet Union and thereby put an end to all doubt.”
