200. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Finland0
171. Addressee action posts requested speak to Foreign Office at high level about Finnish situation on following lines modified at posts’ discretion to meet local circumstances.
In US view Soviet objectives in exerting pressures on Finland appear to fall in three general spheres: 1) to assure effective control of major internal Finnish policies and actions; 2) to weaken determination Scandinavian countries stand up to Soviets, in particular to reinforce neutral and pacifist sentiments and to increase anti-German feeling and acceptance of belief that FRG is becoming threat to status quo in Scandinavia; 3) to weaken free world resolve and generate increased pressure for negotiations on Berlin by continuation policy of intimidation.
To accomplish its objectives in Finland Soviets are likely use variety of pressures similar to those applied in 1958 “Frosty Nights.”1
These include propaganda, diplomatic moves, economic pressure, play upon divisions between anti-Soviet political parties and in labor movement, and internal agitation and subversion by Finnish Communist Party. One apparent objective is inclusion Communists in Finnish Government. We doubt Soviets would be prepared to use military force in Finnish context alone.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 660E.61/11–2161. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Burdett and Christensen, cleared by Davis, and approved by Johnson. Also sent to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, and London and repeated to Moscow, Paris, Bonn, and Ottawa.↩
- Reference is to the Soviet policy of cutting back its trade with Finland.↩