199. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Finland0
167. Ambassador requested deliver message below from President Kennedy to President Kekkonen soonest. Message should be conveyed orally and written communication not left. Approach should be made inconspicuously. We wish to avoid public knowledge that American Ambassador saw President immediately before his departure to meet Khrushchev. Should press learn of your meeting suggest you say only that you called to obtain President Kekkonen’s views. You should agree with Kekkonen beforehand on this line to be followed with press in case of queries or leaks.
“On the eve of your departure for Novosibirsk I am sending you this private message so that you may not be in doubt of the position of [Page 420] the United States. It will receive no publicity whatever in my country, for I am mindful of your desire not to be embarrassed by public comments from others which might be misconstrued as infringements on Finnish neutrality.
In our joint communique of October 16 in Washington I expressed American understanding for Finland’s policy of neutrality, our firm intention scrupulously to respect that chosen course, and the necessity for all nations to avoid interference in the affairs of Finland. This remains the basis of the relations between the United States and your country.
You will appreciate that our concern in this matter derives not alone from our great interest in the welfare of your country. My Government, and other Western Governments, have accepted Finnish neutrality in all good faith. We have placed on ourselves a solemn obligation to respect that neutrality at all times and in all ways. In our own national interest we have to expect that in turn Finland will in fact be truly neutral.
I realize the doubts and anxieties which you and the Finnish people are now suffering as the memories of 1939 return to you. However, today peace prevails and we have in the United Nations a forum where the strength of world opinion is brought to bear against the employment of force. Furthermore given the close interrelationship of all elements in the present world situation, the overwhelming deterrent power of the Free World, of which the Soviet Union is well aware, provides all nations assurance against resort to arms.
I want to assure you of the readiness of my country to give Finland our political and economic support. We stand ready to extend commercial and economic assistance in the event of economic pressure against Finland designed to secure political compliance. We are prepared, when opportune, to speak out firmly in behalf of Finland’s security and independence. We would be willing to carry to the United Nations actions seeming to threaten your country’s independence, depriving you of the right to follow your chosen course of neutrality.
I am sure that the unity of all patriotic Finns, irrespective of party, when their country is threatened is a great source of strength underlying Finland’s resolve to determine its own destiny.”
Report date, hour of delivery. Further instructions follow on US policy.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 660E.61/11–2061. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution; Verbatim Text. Drafted by Burdett and cleared by Rusk and Bundy. Repeated to London and Moscow.↩