RUSSO-FINNISH PACT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26709, 2 March 1948, Page 5

RUSSO-FINNISH PACT

MR STALIN'S PROPOSALS

THEORETICAL OPPOSITION SUGGESTED N.Z.P.A.— Copyright Rec 9 P.m. LONDON, Mar. 1. The Finnish Minister in Moscow, M. K. Sundstrom, has been recalled to Helsinki, where it is hoped he will be able to advise President Paasikivi on the probable terms of the pact which the Kremlin will present says the Helsinki correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. This information will dispel the uncertainty and anxiety caused Fn Finnish Parliamentary quarters by the absence of specific demands in Mr Stalin’s letter to President Paasikivi. M. Paasikivi notified the Soviet Minister in Helsinki, Lieutenant-general Savonenkov, that the Finnish Parliament would probably debate the pio“FtanS CommS'leaflers met durine the week-end to discuss plans to meet every eventuality which may arise in the decisive days ahead. The deputies of the other parties retired to their country homes to ponder on which side to cast their votes in tomorrow’s debateThe attitude of the 48 Social Democrats and 48 Agrarian deputies will undoubtedly decide **• Paasikivi’s answer to Mr Stalin. It is considered that more than 70 per cent, of the Finnish ment’s 200 members are theoretically against a pact with Russia. The correspondent concluded that whether they will oppose Mr Stalin’s proposals in practice is an other matter. • The Finnish Minister of Finance, M. Rolf Toerngren, refuted suggestions that PiSSS may become, the next country to beaincorporated m the Rus sian sDhere. “Countries abroad, he said “ have given Mr Stalin’s proposal for a pact with Finland a greater significance than it deseives.