Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western European Integration and Security, Canada, Volume VII, Part 1

4. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations⁰

January 29, 1958, 6:45 p.m.

Topol 2638. Deliver McCarthy nine am Jan 30. Polto 2195.¹ Department warmly sympathetic Finnish desire closer relationship OEEC as further step in tightening bonds between Finland and other countries Western Europe. Consistent US associate status OEEC, USRO should appropriately support this objective including any preliminary study Finnish economic situation considered necessary to determine conditions Finnish membership or association OEEC, as proposed Ellis-Rees memo noted reftel.

Department presumes all delegations will bear Finland’s delicate position vis-à-vis Soviet Union closely in mind as discussions go forward. Would appreciate USRO and Helsinki comments general problem Finnish participation OEEC and in particular problems resulting Soviet-Finnish relationship.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 840.00/1–2458. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Yost, cleared with various offices in the Department of State, and signed for Herter by Timmons. Repeated to Helsinki as telegram 523.
1. In Polto 2195, January 24, Burgess reported that at the meeting that day of the OEEC Heads of Delegations, Chairman Ellis-Rees had transmitted an inquiry from the Finnish Ambassador in Paris regarding the conditions under which Finland might become a member of the OEEC. The Heads of Delegations were asked by the Chairman to consult with their governments and be prepared to discuss the question in the near future. (ibid.)