Lipponen launches attack on new book about former President Koivisto

Paavo Lipponen

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Finland's Speaker of Parliament and former two-term Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP) has more or less totally slated Professor Juhani Suomi's new book on former president Mauno Koivisto's first three years at the helm.
      In today's edition of the periodical Suomen Kuvalehti, Lipponen criticises the newly published Pysähtyneisyyden vuodet ("Years of Stagnation") by Prof. Suomi as being an excessively long indictment as well as an attempt by the writer to get even. Lipponen also notes that the extensive use of anonymous sources makes the book more a work of fiction than a literary document based on scientific research.
     
While having bitterly criticised Suomi's writings previously, the former president himself does not now wish to make any public comment on the new book, which claims Koivisto was overly soft in his relations with the Soviet Union.
      Lipponen has also been an outspoken critic of Suomi's work in the past, and he now also complains that the book covers only the first three years of Koivisto's presidency.
      "The way the author has cut up the Koivisto era as well as his tendentious method tell more about the psychological state of the author himself than about the object of his 'research'", Lipponen blasts.
     
Furthermore, Lipponen wonders what would have been the right course of action for President Koivisto to take in those years. He also asks how the leader should have done two things simultaneously: to talk about neutrality with the Russians everywhere, while at the same time pursuing good relations with Finland's eastern neighbour.
      "While these are not mutually exclusive principles, Koivisto's actions can be understood only by looking at the international situation in those years", Lipponen says.
      Lipponen argues that the greatest weakness of the book lies in the author's inability to see the broader perspective of things - not in its incorrect details.
     
"Naturally, President Koivisto had to pursue good relations with the Soviet leadership for two reasons. He had to dispel suspicions - fed from Finland - about his attitude to the Soviet Union and about his ability to deal successfully with eastern relations. On the other hand, Mauno Koivisto was concerned about the critical international situation and its potential consequences for Finland, including the possible bringing up of the military articles in the Agreement of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance", Lipponen writes in Suomen Kuvalehti.
      Mauno Koivisto was President of Finland from 1982 to 1994, serving two terms. He followed on from the long-serving Urho Kekkonen, who withdrew owing to ill health in 1981. Kekkonen had forged close links with the Soviets during his 25 years as head of state, and there were initial concerns about "continuity" in the changeover.
     
There will be more on Juhani Suomi's new book be among our weekly articles next Tuesday.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President Kekkonen and his successful balancing act (28.9.2004)
  Professor Juhani Suomi to switch from President Kekkonen to Koivisto (24.9.2003)

Helsingin Sanomat