Office of the Historian

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

Helsinki, August 20, 1963, 1 p.m.

100. Pass to DIA. Max Jakobson, Chief of Foreign Office political section, has denied categorically that Finland is about to buy Russian missiles of any type. During discussion after dinner at residence, he disclosed that Finland has given British written guarantee that at least half surface-to-air missiles will be bought from them.

“It is inconceivable that we would break that agreement,” he assured me, adding that GOF will not wish negotiate with Russians without reading in [from?] British.

I raised subject by saying I had heard rumors Finland was eager discuss Bloodhound I with Macmillan and wondered if anything decided in wake of his visit. Jakobson replied that Kekkonen had told Macmillan Finland interested, but short of money, so question in abeyance.

I pointed out that money question different with regard Russia and asked state missile negotiations with Soviets.

Jakobson stated categorically that no such negotiations underway.

I replied I pleased to hear this in view of recurring rumors that missiles deal with Soviets imminent. Said I knew GOF aware that one-sided deal would leave some people feeling they had been duped in agreeing to reinterpretation peace treaty.

[Page 501]

It then that Jakobson mentioned written guarantees and said I would “wager your life” on fact Finland not cooking up separate missile deal with Soviets.

(While Embassy knew of pledge to British, this first word we had had of “written guarantees”. Will check this with British colleague in discussion today.)

Discussion with Jakobson [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] investigation both indicate original Air attache report about SA–3 deal completely wrong. Regret any needless excitement there, but known reliability of source prompted quick reaction here. Either top Finn lied to [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] Air Force contact, or [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] guilty of terribly sloppy intelligence work.

Rowan
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 12–5 Fin–USSR. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to London, Moscow, Olso, Stockholm, and Copenhagen.↩