232. Telegram From the Embassy in Finland to the Department of State0
105. Called yesterday afternoon on President Kekkonen accompanied by Friberg as interpreter to present him with album of his visit to United States. Also presented framed colored picture sent to US earlier for delivery to him. Kekkonen appeared genuinely pleased, expressed his gratitude and said he would write personal letter to President Kennedy.
After usual amenities about summer activities, I asked President what he thought of present world situation. “It doesn’t look too good”, he replied, “and Berlin is particularly bad.” He then mentioned his plans visit Soviet Union with nothing in mind of a political nature “for vacation” in October, prior to his visit to France. He remarked that right after De Gaulle had extended French invitation, Khrushchev had written him letter dated April 4, renewing earlier oral invitation. Khru-shchev’s letter was couched in such terms that Kekkonen assumes he will have chance meet and talk with him. This he believes will be particularly interesting since he will be able pass to de Gaulle his impressions of Khrushchev’s current attitudes.
Returning to German question, I remarked that “Berlin crisis” had been created solely by Soviet Union which could turn it on and off at will and that it was therefore not genuine crisis. I strongly expressed hope that Finland would not change its policy toward Germany or in any way modify its present relationship toward Germany by signing peace treaty with Pankow regime or changing status Finnish relationship with it. I added that present relationship is consistent with Finnish neutrality. President said that he had heard rumors of Soviet pressure on Finland to recognize East Germany. They were simply not true, he affirmed. He added, “We have done fairly well so far and I hope it will continue. I don’t have any reason to doubt that we won’t come out all right.”
I next took up with President matter Finnish participation in San Juan conference (Embassy telegram 93)1 on middle level manpower. I told him that attendance by Minister Pohjala or some other Cabinet member concerned with such matters would be welcomed. I explained that I had discussed the matter with Foreign Office and had provided [Page 478] papers pertinent to conference. The President replied that Foreign Minister Merikoski had spoken to him about conference although he had seen no papers. President promised study matter and talk to his Ministers about it.
President raised topic of Finnish trade and said that besides German situation, Finland faces serious difficulties in years ahead on matters of trade but he had noticed that solutions arrived at by Finns had received the support of West. He hoped that support and understanding would continue. I asked whether he was concerned about enlargement of EEC. He said no, Finland was “following the situation from afar”; Finland will wait see how England, Switzerland, Austria and Sweden make out first. He said that representatives from “West” had given him to understand that “our action is only right one” and that policy of wait-and-see is, under the circumstances, wisest. This, he added, is also attitude of industrialists in Finland. He went on say that Finnish industrial expansion was going on rapidly and would continue to increase until 1965. For this reason it is all the more important that Finland assure itself of markets in West. Finland can arrange to build factories itself but needs support of West to insure continuing high level of trade to keep factories operating. He said this with obvious intent underscore that what Finland needs is trade, not just help in building industrial capacity.
When we were discussing summer activities, I mentioned among other trips taken in Finland three day visit to Seppalas Island. President said that he had been ill this summer again with his old trouble, otherwise he had expected visit Seppalas same week-end. He felt illness was his gall bladder although the doctors have not been able to make definite diagnosis. He has been operated on twice but operations do not seem to have helped. He said he was just getting over the effects of his illness. I have heard from another well informed source outside government that he suffers from diabetes and for that reason always travels with physician in attendance. This source said that Kekkonen always suffers health troubles when subjected to strain or worry. Yesterday afternoon he appeared be in fairly good health although he showed his age more than when I last saw him.
On taking leave, I thanked President for receiving me and told him I should like to see him again before long and would especially like see him after his visits to Soviet Union and France. He replied that he would be glad to see me then and added that if at any time I had anything on my mind I could call him. He said that he had hoped to have me at his summer place in Naantali but weather had been so bad that he was afraid to have anyone there this summer. “Next summer will have to be better”, he added jokingly.
[Page 479]Throughout our entire conversation he was most friendly and relaxed and did not even hint at any controversial matters.