President Niinistö's Two-Track Initiative: Towards Stronger Arctic

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

President Niinistö's Two-Track Initiative: Towards Stronger Arctic FIIA APRIL 2021 COMMENT 6 Matti Pesu, Senior Research Fellow, FIIA Henri Vanhanen, Research Fellow, FIIA PRESIDENT NIINISTÖ’S TWO-TRACK INITIATIVE TOWARDS STRONGER ARCTIC DIALOGUE AND REVITALIZATION OF THE HELSINKI SPIRIT? In his recent op-ed, President Sauli Niinist reintroduced the idea of an Arctic summit. Te timing of the meeting could be favourable. As the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act is approaching, Niinist also hoped for a revitalization of the “Spirit of Helsinki”. Te aim is hampered by global tensions, however. In late March, President of Finland governance. Second, he pointed to Finland actually ofered to host Sauli Niinist published an op-ed a potential summit of the perma- a summit during its Arctic Council in Helsingin Sanomat, the largest nent members of the United Na- presidency in 2017–2019. Tis am- Finnish daily. Te piece, outlining tions Security Council as a promis- bition was hampered by the wider future objectives for Finnish for- ing cooperative platform. However, tensions between Russia and the eign policy, expressed concern over his remarks on Arctic cooperation United States. negative trends in great-power and the anniversary of the Confer- The Biden presidency now politics, regretting the lack of seri- ence on Security and Cooperation presents an opportunity for the ous dialogue among major powers. in Europe (CSCE) attracted most at- high-level meeting. Climate change Niinist’s worries were unsurpris- tention. From a Finnish viewpoint, features high on Biden’s foreign ing, as advocating international di- these two initiatives are indeed policy agenda, and a large part of alogue has been a lodestar of Finn- prominent, as Helsinki could have his voters expect him to address ish foreign policy in recent years. a role to play in the processes. climate change in a serious manner. In his writing, the President Niinist is a well-known advo- Moreover, the US could be paid attention to four multilater- cate for Arctic cooperation. In the ready for military dialogue re- al initiatives that could buttress op-ed, he resurrected the idea of an garding the High North. As the US global stability. First, according to Arctic summit, which could focus strategic focus is increasingly on Niinist, the Paris Climate Treaty on climate issues, for example. He the Indo-Pacifc region, managing with its follow-up process repre- also wrote that a military build-up the stability of the European the- sents a functioning model of global in the region should be managed. atre, including the Artic region, is C FINNISH INSTITUTE - OF INTERNATIONAL -IL AFFAIRS FIIA COMMENT APRIL 2021 I 6 becoming increasingly important erosion of the “Spirit of Helsinki”. development in sight. On the con- to Washington. A stable Europe is Indeed, the Helsinki summit not trary, Russia’s ongoing military a critical precondition for devoting only consolidated détente but also buildup near Ukraine’s eastern bor- more resources to tackling the se- eventually strengthened democracy der and in Crimea casts additional curity challenges in Asia. and human rights in Europe. Today, dark clouds over European security. Russia, too, could have an in- global tensions and instability are An OSCE summit would re- terest in serious Arctic dialogue. growing, and democratic backslid- quire a genuine political process Te region is economically vital for ing is witnessed across the globe. serving the interests of all stake- Russia, and the realization of its full The anniversary presents an holders. Such a task will be fraught economic potential necessitates a opportunity to remind the inter- with challenges, and preparations stable environment. Furthermore, national community of the legacy should be initiated immediately. as China’s Arctic ambitions are on of the Helsinki Spirit. More im- However, the revitalization of the rise, both Moscow and Washing- portantly, the Organization for Se- the Spirit of Helsinki does not have ton, as well as other Arctic nations, curity and Cooperation in Europe to take place in the OSCE format. may want to demonstrate to Beijing (OSCE), which is built on the foun- Due to factions within the organ- who the actual Arctic players are – dation of the Helsinki Final Act, ization, arranging a gathering out- despite China’s central role in Arctic expects Finland – a key architect of side of the OSCE framework could climate matters. Te summit would the CSCE/OSCE system – to play a be a more realistic alternative. Tat serve such a purpose well. major role in the commemoration said, amid international tensions, Russia will take over the Arctic of the 1975 summit. it will be a considerable challenge Council presidency in May 2021. The details of the exercise are to come up with an agenda uniting Even if the potential meeting does currently unclear. OSCE summits the countries from “Vancouver to not take place in the Council’s have been held infrequently. The Vladivostok”. framework, Moscow may offer to most recent meeting convened 1975 marked an undeniable host the summit. If Russia’s initia- in Astana in 2010. Subsequent- milestone in Finnish foreign policy, tive is not echoed among its fellow ly, tensions in European security and its legacy should be duly pre- Arctic nations, a window of oppor- have increased. Russia has violated served. Te level of ambition should tunity might open for Finland. Tat OSCE principles by illegally annex- be high despite the demanding in- said, the future of the meeting is not ing Crimea and by starting a war in ternational milieu. Te fates of the in Finland’s hands. eastern Ukraine. An OSCE summit Arctic summit and commemoration In addition to Arctic coopera- without meaningful progress with of the Spirit of Helsinki hinge on the tion, the President brought up the regard to the conflict – which re- forthcoming developments in inter- approaching 50th anniversary of mains the most burning problem in national politics. If tensions remain the CSCE. More specifcally, Niinist European security – seems unlike- manageable, Finland’s activity may expressed his concern over the ly. Currently, there is little positive lead to tangible results. I Arkadiankatu 23 b The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is an independent research institute that POB 425 / 00101 Helsinki produces high-level research to support political decisionmaking as well as scientific and public C Telephone +358 10)9 432 7000 FINNISH debate both nationally and internationally. INSTITUTE Fax +358 [0)9 432 7799 All manuscripts are reviewed by at least two other experts in the field to ensure the high - OF INTERNATIONAL quality of the publications. In addition, publications undergo professional language checking -II. AFFAIRS www.fiia.fi and editing. The responsibility for the views expressed ultimately rests with the authors..
Recommended publications
  • Download ASF Centennial Ball Press Release
    The American-Scandinavian Foundation Celebrates its 100th Anniversary at Centennial Ball Royalty from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark and Presidents of Finland and Iceland were Guests of Honor at this milestone event New York, NY (October 25, 2011) - Amid the pomp and circumstance of a historic evening, Nordic-American friendship was on full display as Scandinavian Heads of State, European royalty, top diplomats, and distinguished members of the U.S. and Nordic cultural, educational, business, and philanthropic communities celebrated the 100th Anniversary of The American-Scandinavian Foundation at its Centennial Ball in New York City. Some 1,200 guests attended the black-tie affair in recognition of the ASF's 100 years of building cultural and educational bridges between the United States and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Special Guests of Honor were: Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden; Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway; His Excellency Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland, and Mrs. Dorrit Moussaieff; Her Excellency Tarja Halonen, President of Finland; and Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. “The Centennial Ball offered us an opportunity to reflect on the 100-year history and achievements of our unique organization and to celebrate the mutual respect and understanding between the United States and Nordic countries,” said Edward P. Gallagher, President of The American-Scandinavian Foundation. “We were
    [Show full text]
  • Orderof Malta
    Published by the Grand MaGistry of the sovereiGn Military hosPitaller order of st. J ohn of JerusaleM of rhodes and of Malta the Orde rof Malta July 09 Newsletter Grand Master Fra’ Matthew archbishop sardi, new order Festing and the Sovereign Council Patron received by Pope Benedict XVI Centuries old bond reinforced in annual audience Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop Paolo Sardi Pro-Patron of the Sovereign Military Order n the traditional audience lebanon; and, closer to home, the help of Malta. Italian, Vice Chamberlain i granted every year, on this 25 still provided by the order’s italian of the Holy Roman Church, since June the Grand Master emergency Corps in the abruzzo 1996 Archbishop Sardi has been referred to the spiritual, humanitarian following the recent earthquakes. Apostolic Nuncio with special and diplomatic activities of the order, the holy father, in his reply, praised responsibilities. He succeeds highlighting the strategies for the next the order’s continuing activities Cardinal Pio Laghi who died ten years, elaborated at the order’s to help the poor and the sick, in January. international strategy seminar in exemplifying their Christian faith Born in 1934 in Ricaldone, province venice in January; the ecumenical and charity. following the audience, of Alessandria, Archbishop Sardi dialogue developed between the order the Grand Master and the members has, since the pontificate of John and the Patriachs of Moscow and of the sovereign Council also met with Paul II, coordinated the Vatican Minsk; special medical and social the vatican secretary of state, office which edits the Pope’s texts assistance in the holy land and in Cardinal tarcisio bertone.
    [Show full text]
  • Seppo Hentilä.Indb
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Helsingin yliopiston digitaalinen arkisto President Urho Kekkonen of Finland and the KGB K IMMO RENTOLA A major post-Cold War history debate in Finland has been over the role of President Urho Kekkonen and his relations with the Soviet Union, in particular with the Soviet foreign intelligence. No surprise to anybody, variance of interpretations has been wide, fuelled by scarcity of sources on the most sensitive aspects, by the unavoidable ambiguity of an issue like the intelligence, and even by political leanings.1 As things stand now, even a preliminary assessment of available evidence – viewed from a distance – might prove useful. The Soviet Union regularly tried to build back-channel contacts and confi dential informal links with the Western powers. On the Soviet side, these contacts were usually conducted by intelligence offi cers, as were those to Robert Kennedy on the eve of the Cuban missile crisis,2 and to Chancellor Willy Brandt during his new German Ostpolitik.3 By far the 1 A good introduction to Finnish studies on Kekkonen in J. Lavery. ‘All of the President’s Historians: The Debate over Urho Kekkonen’, Scandinavian Studies 75 (2003: 3). See also his The History of Finland. Westport: Greenwood Press 2006, and the analysis of D. Kirby, A Concise History of Finland. Cambridge University Press 2006. 2 An account by G. Bolshakov, ‘The Hot Line’, in New Times (Moscow), 1989, nos. 4-6; C. Andrew, For the President’s Eyes Only: Secret Intelligence and American Presidency from Washington to Bush.
    [Show full text]
  • Address Given by Martti Ahtisaari on Finland's Accession to the European Union (Tampere, 24 September 1994)
    Address given by Martti Ahtisaari on Finland's accession to the European Union (Tampere, 24 September 1994) Caption: On 24 September 1994, one month before the referendum held in Finland on the country’s accession to the European Union, Martti Ahtisaari, President of Finland, gives his views on the issue of the country’s independence in the European Union. Source: Speech given by President Martti Ahtisaari in Tampere, September 24, 1994. [ON-LINE]. [Helsinki]: The President of the Republic of Finland 1994-2000, Updated 18.02.2000[28.07.2003]. Disponible sur http://www.valtioneuvosto.fi/tpk/eng/speeches/speech_texts-1994.html. Copyright: (c) President of the Republic of Finland 1994-2000 URL: http://www.cvce.eu/obj/address_given_by_martti_ahtisaari_on_finland_s_accession_to_the_european_union_tampere_2 4_september_1994-en-c995d6d2-217c-4a74-a1b6-d1789fa613f2.html Publication date: 04/09/2012 1 / 4 04/09/2012 Independent Finland and European Integration We are currently preparing ourselves for the referendum that will decide whether Finland becomes a member of the European Union. At the same time, the international community is gradually putting an end to a half century of political division. There are more support and potential now for cooperation and reconciliation than ever before. The international community now has a real chance to create a better and more secure tomorrow. Finland faces a historic choice. As a nation, we now find ourselves in the fortunate position of not being forced by any outsiders into making it. We really are the shapers of our own destiny. The coming advisory referendum will be the first we have ever arranged on a foreign policy issue.
    [Show full text]
  • Höfði House Report 2020
    HÖFÐI HOUSE REPORT 2020 HÖFÐI HOUSE REPORT 2020 4 Women Political Leaders | www.womenpoliticalleaders.org TABLE OF CONTENTS Conference Overview 6 Höfði House: Continuing a Legacy 8 Foreword 9 Session Topics & Guiding Questions 10 Conference Narrative 13 Outcome Declaration 14 Conclusion 16 Addendum 17 Bios 24 Women Political Leaders | www.womenpoliticalleaders.org 5 CONFERENCE OVERVIEW Twenty years have passed since the UN Security Council adopted its landmark resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. While meaningful milestones have been achieved for women’s leadership and participation at all levels of peacebuilding and conflict resolution processes, overall improvement remains stagnant and inequalities have worsened due to the onslaught of COVID-19. The 2020 Power Together: Reykjavík Summit first convened in November of 2018 to provide a platform for esteemed women leaders to exchange knowledge and ideas, creating collective action steps that can be implemented to advance the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda. This high-level discussion is held annually in tandem with the Reykjavík Global Forum - Women Leaders. 6 Women Political Leaders | www.womenpoliticalleaders.org Women Political Leaders | www.womenpoliticalleaders.org 7 HÖFÐI HOUSE: CONTINUING A LEGACY The choice of Höfði House as the venue for the Power Together: Reykjavík Summit, held since its inception in 2018, is one of great significance. No stranger to high-level discussions, Höfði House embodies the power of conversation and the opportunities bringing people together presents. Höfði House will forever hold a place in history as the location of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit talks held between the leaders of the two hegemonic powers and Cold War adversaries, the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Does the Nordic Region Speak with a FORKED Tongue?
    Does the Nordic Region Speak with a FORKED Tongue? The Queen of Denmark, the Government Minister and others give their views on the Nordic language community KARIN ARVIDSSON Does the Nordic Region Speak with a FORKED Tongue? The Queen of Denmark, the Government Minister and others give their views on the Nordic language community NORD: 2012:008 ISBN: 978-92-893-2404-5 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6027/Nord2012-008 Author: Karin Arvidsson Editor: Jesper Schou-Knudsen Research and editing: Arvidsson Kultur & Kommunikation AB Translation: Leslie Walke (Translation of Bodil Aurstad’s article by Anne-Margaret Bressendorff) Photography: Johannes Jansson (Photo of Fredrik Lindström by Magnus Fröderberg) Design: Mar Mar Co. Print: Scanprint A/S, Viby Edition of 1000 Printed in Denmark Nordic Council Nordic Council of Ministers Ved Stranden 18 Ved Stranden 18 DK-1061 Copenhagen K DK-1061 Copenhagen K Phone (+45) 3396 0200 Phone (+45) 3396 0400 www.norden.org The Nordic Co-operation Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and international collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in a strong Europe. Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. Common Nordic values help the region solidify its position as one of the world’s most innovative and competitive. Does the Nordic Region Speak with a FORKED Tongue? The Queen of Denmark, the Government Minister and others give their views on the Nordic language community KARIN ARVIDSSON Preface Languages in the Nordic Region 13 Fredrik Lindström Language researcher, comedian and and presenter on Swedish television.
    [Show full text]
  • Erkki Liikanen: Finland and EU
    Erkki Liikanen: Finland and EU Speech by Mr Erkki Liikanen, Governor of the Bank of Finland, at the College of Europe, Warsaw, 8 December 2006. * * * On the evening of 9 May, 56 years ago, French and foreign newspapermen assembled at the Quai d'Orsay for the foreign minister's weekly press conference. Instead of the routine event which the journalists were expecting, the foreign minister, Robert Schuman read out in a "dull, hesitant" voice a two-page declaration that hit them like a bomb. "It is no longer a time for vain words, but a bold, constructive act. France has acted, and the consequences of her action may be immense… She has acted essentially in the cause of peace. For peace to have a real chance, there first must be a Europe. Virtually five years to the day since Germany surrendered unconditionally, France has made the first decisive step towards building Europe hand-in-hand with Germany". This was how Schuman started his speech, which culminated in the proposal to set up the Coal and Steed Community. Schuman wanted to bring the raw materials of war under the umbrella of a Coal and Steel Community. This Community was to be the first step towards creating a European federation, which was indispensable for safeguarding peace. And Schuman made this point explicitly: "The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible". France's initiative received considerable attention in various parts of Europe. The Finnish embassy in Paris did not notify Helsinki of the May initiative until September, by which time the negotiations on setting up the Coal and Steel Community were well advanced.
    [Show full text]
  • From Silence to Historical Consciousness the Holocaust and WWII in Finnish History Politics
    From Silence to Historical Consciousness The Holocaust and WWII in Finnish History Politics ANTERO HOLMILA JOUNI TILLI ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that there are similar trajectories and turning points between Finland’s and other European countries’ responses to the Holocaust, it is still the case that trends in Holocaust studies and key debates within the field have had less impact on Finnish understanding of the Holocaust than one might suspect. Instead, as this article examines, the way in which Finland’s Holocaust awareness has been developing since the end of the war in general, and in the 2000s in particular, has been intimately linked with the Finnish understanding of its own role in WWII. This tendency was most clearly illustrated in the controversy that took place during 2003 and 2004 with the publication of Elina Sana’s book Luovutetut [The Extradited]. RÉSUMÉ : Malgré le fait qu’il existe des trajectoires et points-clés similaires entre la réponse de la Finlande et les réponses des autres pays européens à l’Holocauste, elle demeure le cas en vogue dans les études de l’Holocauste, et les débats-clés au sein de ce champ d’études ont eu moins d’impact sur la compréhension finlandaise de l’Holocauste que l’on pourrait le soupçonner. À la place, tel que l’examine cet article, la façon dont s’est développée la conscience finlandaise de l’Holocauste depuis la fin de la guerre en général, et dans les années 2000, en particulier, a été intimement liée à la compréhension finlandaise de son propre rôle dans la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
    [Show full text]
  • FINLAND's RELATIONS with the SOVIET UNION, 1940-1952 By
    FINLAND'S RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET UNION, 1940-1952 by HANS PETER KROSBY B.A., University of British Columbia, 1955 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in INTERNATIONAL STUDIES We accept this Thesis as conforming to the required standard: UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA April, 1958 ABSTRACT In March 194-0, Finland had just completed another life and death struggle with the Soviet Union, the second such struggle since Bolshevik autocracy- replaced Tsarist autocracy in Russia in 1917. During the following fifteen months, Soviet diplomacy endeavoured to complete the job which the Red Army had "begun. By a unilateral and extremely liberal interpretation of the Peace Treaty of March 12, 1940, the Soviet Union tried to isolate Finland from her other neighbours and to establish a favourable basis for a complete annexation of Finland in the manner of the three Baltic States. Surrounded by Soviet and German military might, and noticing the increasing friction in the Nazi-Soviet alliance, Finland, in order to save herself from an imminent Soviet invasion, grasped the only straw which seemed to offer some hope: a transit agreement for German troops from Finland's Bothnian coast to Kirkenes in oc• cupied Norway. The resulting presence of German troops in the country did save Finland from becoming the seventeenth Soviet Socialist Republic in 1940 or 194-1* but it also involved her deeply in the Nazi-Soviet conflict which followed. When Germany attacked the Soviet Union in June 194-1, Finland tried in vain to have her neutrality respected, and she was attacked by Soviet forces three days after the German aggression.
    [Show full text]
  • Martti Ahtisaari, Former President of Finland, Receives 2000 Fulbright Prize for International Understanding He Fulbright Association Awarded the 2000 J
    Martti Ahtisaari, Former President of Finland, Receives 2000 Fulbright Prize for International Understanding he Fulbright Association awarded the 2000 J. William Fulbright Prize for T International Understanding to Martti Ahtisaari, president of the Republic of Finland from 1994 to 2000, on December 1 at a ceremony at the International Trade Center. The prize, which carries a $50,000 cash award, is made possible by a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation. (continued on page 12) Martti Ahtisaari diplomat for more than 30 years Africa, playing a key role in ensuring a special representative for the former and president of Finland from smooth transition through free and fair Yugoslavia. A 1994 to 2000, Martti Ahtisaari elections. In appreciation, the Namibian In February 1994 Martti Ahtisaari has served as peacemaker in some of government made President Ahtisaari became the first directly-elected the world's most troubled areas. His an honorary citizen. president of the Republic of Finland. commitments to strengthening civil President Ahtisaari assumed the During his tenure as president, he led society, extending democratic practices, position of secretary of state in the Finland's entry into the European Union and furthering peaceful cooperation Ministry for Foreign Affairs of and took an active role in and coexistence have repeatedly led Finland's foreign and security policy. Since leaving office in foreignseek his governmentsaid in resolving to ~ February 2000, President -----------~-~-~==------Ahtisaari has continued his difficult and violent n-t:A rr.,(C....f..a lit Jtssociation conflicts. 'Lr!K- J 1,,1,W1 v peacemaking efforts. In May the Martti Oiva Kalevi is proudto present British government appointed Ahtisaari was born on him to the team overseeing the June 23, 1937, in the city of r.
    [Show full text]
  • India – Finland Relations
    India – Finland Relations Finland and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations. Finland sees India as a market for its products and a favourable investment destination for its high technology industries. India views Finland as an important member of the EU and a repository of modern technology. Bilateral Visits High-level visits Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru visited Finland in 1957 and Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi visited in 1983. Prime Minister Pt. Manmohan Singh came to Finland in 2006. The first Prime Minister of Finland to visit India was Mr. Vieno Johannes Sukselainen in 1960, followed by a visit of Prime Minister Mr. Kalevi Sorsa in 1984. Prime Minister Mr. Matti Vanhanen visited India three times, in March 2006, February 2008 and February 2010 (last two occasions to attend Delhi Sustainable Development Summit). Prime Minister Mr. Juha Sipilä visited India from 12 to 14 February, 2016 to participate in the "Make in India Week" in Mumbai along with a business delegation. He met Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Ministers of Finance, MOS(IC) for Commerce and Industry, MOS(IC) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Gujarat respectively. Prime Minister Sipilä also met several Indian corporate leaders. President of Finland Mr. Urho Kekkonen visited India in 1965, President Mr. Mauno Koivisto in 1987 and President Mr. Martti Ahtisaari in 1996. President Mrs. Tarja Halonen visited India in January 2007, February 2009 and February 2012 to attend the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. President Shri V.V. Giri visited Finland in 1971, and President Shri R.
    [Show full text]
  • June 26, 1944 the Finnish Situation
    Digital Archive digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org International History Declassified June 26, 1944 The Finnish Situation Citation: “The Finnish Situation,” June 26, 1944, History and Public Policy Program Digital Archive, Container 173, W. Averell Harriman Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington D.C. https://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/document/219946 Summary: Stalin and Harriman discuss Finland and the strategy for Finnish withdraw from the war. Original Language: English Contents: English Transcription Scan of Original Document THE AMBASSADOR SECRET Conversation. Moscow, June 26, 1944 Present: The American Ambassador, Mr. Harriman Mr. Edward Page, Second Secretary of Embassy Marshal Stalin Mr. V. M. Molotov, People’s Commissar For Foreign Affairs Mr. Pavlov, Soviet interpreter Subject: The Finnish Situation. After Mr. Johnston had withdrawn from the room, I had an opportunity to bring up with Marshal Stalin the question regarding Finland raised by the Secretary of State in a recent cable (Department’s No. 1550, June 24, 10 p.m.) and I asked him whether in his opinion there was anything the President could do which might be helpful in facilitating the Finnish withdrawal from the war. The Marshal stated that he did not believe that any action on our part would be of any value at the present time. He said that the controlling members of the Finnish Government were Fascists, were agents of Hitler, and were under the complete domination of the German Government. There were not interested in the welfare of the Finnish people but only in keeping themselves in power. The Marshal continued that at the instigation of the Finns, Boheman had approached Madame Kollontai in Stockholm and had stated that the Finnish Government desired to resume peace negotiations and to send representative to Moscow.
    [Show full text]