FINNS CONCLUDE TEN-YEAR MILITARY PACT WITH RUSSIA

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1948, Page 6

FINNS CONCLUDE TEN-YEAR MILITARY PACT WITH RUSSIA

HELSINKI, April 6. A Finnish spokesman said the So-viet-Finnish treaty provided:— 1. Finnish troops will be used only for tne defence of Finnish territory and waters. 2. Finland and Russia shall decide by negotiation if and whgn threats of aggression from foreign Powers exist. Other provisions of the treaty are: 1. The treaty is for 10 years, with provision for renewal. 2. No provision is made for Soviet bases in Finland. 3. In the event of Finland being exposed to aggression or the Soviet Union being . exposed to aggression through Finland, Finland will resist acm-ession, if necessary with the Soviet Union’s aid. 4. Both parties pledge themselves to respect (he sovereignity of their respective countries and also not to interfere with each other’s internal affairs. RUSSIAN CONCESSIONS The spokesman said the Russians had made several concessions during the negotiations. The pact was concluded entirely in accordance with the instructions which the Finnish Government gave its delegates. The Finnish Parliament will probably be summoned at the end of this week to examine the treaty, which is not binding until ratified. The spokesman recalled that the Russians had first suggested a pact based, on the Russian treaty with Hungary, but the Finns turned it down. According to a Stockholm message the Foreign Minister, Mr Unden, said that in the event of a third world war Sweden would choose the course of “armed neutrality.”