Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1939, Page 526
5x6
LE NORD
the Soviet Government. But even at
the present stage serious attention
can be given to certain points.
“Already when the discussions
started, Finland made it known that
she would observe the strictest neu-
trality in her relations with other
states. It is a satisfaction to me to
be able to report that the Soviet
Government made no objection to
our retaining this standpoint. On
the contrary the Soviet Government
expressed approval of Finland’s
policy of neutrality. This attitude
of Finland’s, approved by the
USSR, implies that Finland cannot
enter into any commitment, which
would jeopardise her neutrality or
cast suspicion on it. And any rights
that a foreign Power may obtain
over Finnish territory would be
just such a commitment. Finland
must therefore, in conformity with
the principles, which were accepted
during the discussions by the USSR
President Kalinin and Foreign Com-
missar Molotov as a basis for nego-
tiations, maintain the integrity and
inviolability of Finland as an in-
dependent neutral state. In this
respect, so far as I am aware, no
disagreement exists between Finland
and the USSR.
“Another question, or principle
to which I must direct attention, is
Finland’s right to defend herself.
It is impossible for Finland to agree
to any arrangement that would de-
prive us of the possibility of defend-
ing our independence and neutrali-
ty. This right of self-defence be-
longs to every free and independent
people. Finland admits a similar
right on the part of the USSR, and
from this starting-point she will
strive for a settlement that will
enable the USSR to feel herself
secure in her capacity of a Baltic
State. At the same time, however,
Finland has every right to expect
recognition of the right of self-
defence as a principle to which she
too can appeal, when the security
of Finland is threatened.
“These two principles, the right
to neutrality and the right of self-
defence, are the foundation, on
which the Finnish attitude is hased.
4
If Finland wishes to preserve her
freedom and independence she must
adhere to both these principles. But
this does not in any way signify
that Finland is unable to understand
the efforts of the USSR to streng-
then her own security, although
Finland cannot conceive in the
present circumstances the existence
of any threat to the security of the
USSR from the Finnish state or
from Finnish territory. In accordan-
ce with our policy of neutrality
Finland would be compelled, should
a third Power attempt to make use
of Finnish territory for measures
against the USSR, to combat such.
an infringement of our neutrality
with all the means at our disposal.
Finnish neutrality thus affords a
protection, which in my view can-
not be regarded as altogether valu-
eless. In spite of this, and in view
of the Soviet Union’s desire and