195. Telegram From the Embassy in Finland to the Department of State0
248. Saw Hallama this morning. Substance his remarks as follows: He was greatly disturbed by circumstance that Finnish Embassy Moscow leaked to press news of Wuori’s call on Kuznetsov (Embassy’s telegram 245)1 and that information about call had become known to public with bad results even before it reached Finnish Government. Reading from Moscow’s telegraphic report he confirmed information re Kuznetsov remarks given in Embassy telegram 244.2
He added that Kuznetsov had said that Finnish Delegation must be sent Moscow soon to begin consultations. Wuori asked about meaning of “soon”, at what level the delegation should be and whether it should include military members. Kuznetsov replied that Finnish Government should determine how soon it could send delegation and whether delegation should include military. Without specifying level delegation, Kuznetsov left impression it should be headed by Foreign Minister.
[Page 415]Wuori asked if public report about call would be issued. Kuzne-tsov replied that up to Finnish.3
President and Foreign Minister both deeply shocked by latest Soviet action. President apparently fears that calling of elections done too hastily. He had apparently already decided before Soviet note do some such thing and grasped at this already prepared action as possibly beneficial in situation created by note.
Soviets had not given advance commitment to calling elections. Only discussion elections in Gromyko–Karjalainen conversations had been following: Karjalainen had said Finnish Government could give guarantee it would maintain present foreign policy up to time of elections. Gromyko had remarked with two elections coming up in Finland, one probably as late as next summer, Soviet Government felt that it was being asked to wait too long for definitive guarantee. Gromyko indicated in no way any desire, however, for speeding up elections.
Hallama feels latest Soviet action should disprove unfair rumors that have had wide circulation particularly in Helsinki that Kekkonen in any way leagued with Soviets or tied to them by some secret agreements. He believes that it is high time for other parties to rally around Kekkonen and for Honka to withdraw his Presidential candidacy.
Finns are faced with disturbing puzzle presented by enigmatic Soviet statement that “if proper political guarantees are given” military consultations may [be] avoided. As late as yesterday afternoon Hallama made further unsuccessful efforts obtain definition this term from Za-kharov. Zakharov implied that it was up to Finland to define terms and to offer guarantees which Moscow would define as acceptable or unacceptable only after they are offered.
Please protect source.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 660E.61/11–1761. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Also sent to Moscow.↩
- Telegram 245, November 16, reported that the Finnish Ambassador had met with Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Kuznetsov. (Ibid., 660E.61/11–1661)↩
- See footnote 1, Document 194.↩
- A Finnish communique detailing talks with the Soviets was released on November 17. The text of the communique was transmitted to the Department of State in telegram 251 from Helsinki, November 17. (Department of State, Central Files, 760E.00/11–1761)↩