Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XVI, Eastern Europe; Cyprus; Greece; Turkey

234. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Finland⁰

Washington, September 21, 1962, 5:56 p.m.

68. You should seek appointment with Kekkonen as far in advance his departure as feasible and inform him of our willingness to facilitate Finnish purchase from US sources of arms not prohibited by Peace Treaty. Believe Deptel 55 (as modified by Embtel 130)¹ contains adequate guidance. You may wish to stress that our proposals formulated in way to avoid any impingement on Finland’s neutrality which we recognize and support. Accordingly, no military aid type program is envisaged. Department concurs in soliciting Kekkonen’s views on procedures.

Army attache should inform Simelius after you talk with Kekkonen and confine himself to Departmental guidance referred to above. He should state we would be glad discuss subject further with Simelius in Washington.

In event either Kekkonen or Simelius raises subject of guided missiles, and our attitude thereto (Embtel 144)² you and Army attache should state: The US wishes like the Finns to see Finnish neutrality strengthened and as our present offer demonstrates sympathizes with Finland’s desire improve its armed forces. However, what we have heard of Finland’s plans to acquire sophisticated weapons systems from USSR raises in our minds questions re (a) strategic and tactical thinking behind the proposed purchase and use these particular weapons, (b) the significance for Finland’s neutrality of dependence on USSR, and the relationships with USSR which this particular transaction involves. Moreover, from what we know of Finnish procurement plans purchases would be preponderantly from the USSR. Ambassador would welcome and report to Department President’s (or Simelius’) views.

Finnish Military attache here will be advised after Department receives report your conversations.

For Embassy London (Embtel 1180):³ You should inform FonOff that we have instructed Ambassador Gufler to see Kekkonen on arms matter early next week.

Department of Defense concurs.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 760E.5612/9–1462. Secret. Drafted by Christensen; cleared by Burdett, PRCS, BNA, G/PM, and the Department of Defense; and approved by Johnson. Repeated to London.
1. Telegram 55 is printed as Document 233. In telegram 130 from Helsinki, September 14, Gufler suggested he approach Kekkonen regarding the offer of U.S. military equipment at a discount. (Department of State, Central Files, 760E.5612/9–1462)
2. In telegram 144, September 20, Gufler responded that he welcomed the Department’s proposal that he inform Kekkonen of U.S. weapons purchase plans. He also requested guidance on issues of guided missiles and treaty revision. (Ibid., 760E.5612/9–2062)
3. In telegram 1180 from London, September 20, the Embassy reported that it had been unable to extract any comment from British officials about U.S. plans for supplying the Finns with weapons. (Ibid., 760E.5612/9–2062)