Office of the Historian

230. Telegram From the Embassy in Finland to the Department of State0

Helsinki, August 6, 1962, 6 p.m.

59. Re Deptel 22.1 Believe it desirable proceed now with implementation program to provide Finland with US military equipment at discount prices. Considerations leading to inception of program (Embtel 435, February 15)2 even though Finns not now seeking acquire guided missiles. Important proceed with program to bolster military morale which likely damaged as result President’s decision cease efforts acquire guided missiles for present. (Embtels 40, 41, 53)3 Program could also lessen dangers involved in possibility that President made decision re missiles in belief West had lost faith in Finland.

Embassy perceives no objection to service-to-service approach. Finns have indicated they prefer negotiations of arms procurement on this basis (Military Attache’s joint message C–40).4

Army Attache has today confirmed with Finn military that list of items desired by Finns forwarded to Finnish Military attache Washington July 17 (Military Attache’s joint message C–39).5 There no indication Finns contemplate changes in composition this list at present time.

Presentation of Finnish list or discussion of list with Finns soon thereafter would provide appropriate opportunity present US program for sale US equipment at discount prices. Military attache concurs this message.

Gufler
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 760E.5/8–662. Secret. Repeated to London.↩
  2. Telegram 22, August 1, requested Embassy comment on a program of military assistance to Finland. (Ibid., 760E.5/8–162)↩
  3. See footnote 3, Document 213.↩
  4. See Document 229 and footnotes 1 and 2 thereto.↩
  5. Document 227.↩
  6. Not found.↩