World: Diversion in Finland

In an abrupt diplomatic maneuver that immediately recalled the prelude to the Winter War of 1939-40,* Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko summoned Veteran Finnish Ambassador Eero A. Wuori to the Soviet Foreign Ministry. Somberly. Gromyko handed him a 2,500-word note demanding consultations, under a 1948 mutual assistance treaty, “for ensuring defense of both countries from the threat of a military attack by Western Germany and allied states.”

The U.S. and Britain received the news grimly. Washington saw the “absurd” pretext of a German threat as the opening bid for stationing Soviet troops on Finnish soil while diverting attention from Soviet pressure on Berlin. Ultimately, Moscow might intend to whisk neutral Finland behind the Iron Curtain, lock the Baltic door behind her. The Swedes felt the same fears, and there was growing talk about reconsidering Sweden’s historic neutrality. NATO member Norway, which shares a 390-mile frontier with Finland in the north, prepared to draw up new defense plans.

Only the Finns, who have learned to smile in the face of the Russian bear, kept calm. For 17 years Finland has managed the most spectacular balancing act in Europe. Perched on Russia’s doorstep, Finland has had to permit Soviet meddling in its internal affairs to the point of allowing the ouster of anti-Communist Cabinet ministers; nevertheless, the country has remained strongly independent and has prospered economically while maintaining a vigorous democracy.

President Urho K. Kekkonen. winding up an 18-day official visit to the U.S.. got the news in Hawaii, calmly talked it over on the beach, dispatched his Foreign Minister to Helsinki ahead of schedule. Then he donned a pair of fire-red bathing trunks and went for a dip.

* On the morning of Nov. 30, 22 years ago, a Soviet land-sea-air offensive against Finland ended prolonged negotiations over Soviet demands for Finnish territory. Numerically overpowering Russian troops expected to overrun Finland in days, but heroic resistance by skillful, ski-equipped troops fought the enemy to a virtual standstill until the final collapse of the Finns 16 weeks later.