Editorial Note
Sweden’s policy regarding diplomatic neutrality during 1951 was reviewed by Ambassador W. Walton Butterworth in despatch 497 from Stockholm, December 20. The despatch traced the policy through two distinct phases in the early and late months of the year and closed with these words: “During 1951, Sweden appears, largely as the consequence of a vast US rearmament program extending to the military build-up of Western Europe, to have adopted an increasingly confident tone in official statements concerning Sweden’s will and ability to defend herself. Notwithstanding the somewhat offensive posturing accompanying this change of tone, the fact remains that Sweden’s will to resist attacks or intimidations was increased and Sweden’s anti-Communism assumed more material forms.… On the debit side of the ledger, it is believed that the very affirmative character of recent official statements, suggesting entire satisfaction with current policy and calling for the strict preservation of neutrality, could have less fortunate implications for Sweden’s western neighbors. Of late, these implications have been discussed in unusual detail in the Swedish press—which may have the effect of forcing increased attention on this critical issue, although typical Swedish languor in foreign policy affairs forbids indulgent speculations. Meanwhile Sweden’s spirit of independence implies a disposition to continue its cooperation on an even more covert basis with the West on matters of politico-strategic interest.
“One must conclude on a note of caution: the trends discernible during 1951 may well be short-lived since it may be confidently surmised that the color of Sweden’s neutrality will be assumed, chameleon-like, from the unpredictable events of the outer world.” (758.00/12–2051)
The Special ECA Mission in Sweden was terminated in November on Sweden’s decision not to request conditional economic assistance from the United States in fiscal year 1951–1952. Formal notification of this action was given to Swedish Foreign Minister Osten Unden in a letter dated July 30 from William C. Foster, Administrator of the Economic Cooperation Administration. The letter and [Page 873] related documentation on the ECA program in Sweden and arrangements for the termination of the Special Mission are in file 103– ECA.
Further documentation on Sweden is printed in various regional compilations. For documentation on Sweden’s attitude toward the political and economic integration of Western Europe, see Documents 1 ff. For documentation on the attempts of the United States in 1951 to convince Sweden to adopt parallel policies regarding trade with Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, see volume I, pages 993 ff.