Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

860D.00/8–548: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State

secret   urgent

Moscow, August 5, 1948—8 p. m.

1530. Though thus far refraining from directly attacking new Finnish Government,¹ Moscow’s obvious displeasure over Communists complete exclusion is shown by considerable space given Soviet press last few days to highly critical comment by foreign Communist sources, above all in Finland itself (for example mytels 1520 August 4, and 1523 August 5²). Apart from general considerations which may still call for policy of “moderation” (see mytel 1282 July 9), Soviets probably hope Fagerholm Government’s narrow basis of support will prevent it from surviving long, and its eventual demise will consequently impair position social democracy in that country.

Sent Department 1530, repeated Helsinki 59.

Smith

1. On July 29, 1948, Fagerholm had constituted a new Finnish Cabinet. All of the Ministers except Enckell, who continued as Minister of Foreign Affairs, were Social Democrats.
2. Neither printed.