The call of Moscow

COLUMN

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By Unto Hämäläinen
     
      The lower house of the Russian Parliament, the Duma, passed a resolution 420-0 on Wednesday that resolutely denounced "the attempts to downsize the contribution of the Soviet people to the victory in the Second World War".
      This statement sent a message to the West, including Finland.
      "The attempt to re-write history insults the sacred memory of the millions of victims of the abhorrent man-hating ideology, the memory of those soldiers of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition who gave their lives in the battles against fascism", the resolution read.
     
The statement of the Duma is connected to the preparations for the 60th anniversary of V-E Day, signalling victory in Europe, which will be celebrated in Russia on May 9th.
      It has been 60 years since the surrender of Germany, so many foreign heads of state will participate in the main commemoration ceremonies, among them the President of Finland.
      The participation of Tarja Halonen in the victory day celebrations has aroused some discussion. The letters to the editor in Friday's Hufvudstadsbladet included two opinions side by side that describe well the difficult and sensitive nature of the issue.
     
Five veterans appealed directly to Halonen, asking that she would not travel to Moscow.
      According to their view, the Soviet Union split Europe in two in the fall of 1939, together with Hitler's Germany. After that, the Soviet Union occupied the Baltics and Eastern parts of Poland, and eventually attacked Finland.
      The difficult peace of the Winter War (1939-40) was followed by the Continuation War (1941-44). After the Second World War, the Soviet Union subjugated a large part of Europe. Fascism was replaced by Communism.
      I recognised a familiar name among those who appealed to the President. Erik Appel is a retired former reporter for Hufvudstadsbladet who has helped to document the history of our Swedish-speaking veterans over the past few years. He knows what he is talking about.
     
The Russian point of view was published next to the appeal of the veterans. Sergey Roslyakov, a junior fellow at the Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA in Helsinki, reasoned why Russia still celebrates Victory Day.
      "The war has its own place in the hearts of Russians", Roslyakov assured the readers.
      The comments by the veterans and a young Russian researcher reveal the important difference in opinion that exists between Finns and Russians.
     
The Finns emphasise their personal experiences. In the Winter War, we fought alone against the Soviets, and in the Continuation War, we were forced to choose between two singularly unattractive alternatives. It was a choice between the plague and cholera, as it has sometimes been described.
      In the Finnish history of the Continuation War, the characteristics of a separate war are emphasised, clearly distancing Finland from the goals of the Germans in the conflict.
      The Russians do not find such great differences between the attackers. The Finns are no longer blamed for the Winter War, but in the Continuation War, the Finns fought alongside the Nazis, and ultimately they lost.
      The gap in the points of view is not bridged much even if the war historians are brought in. The same contrast in views was present on Thursday at a seminar of Russian and Finnish history researchers that was held in Helsinki. No consensus was found there, either.
     
There are old and new elements to the discussion. Ten years ago, Victory Day was celebrated with President Boris Yeltsin at the helm. The Soviet Union had fallen apart three years previously, and Yeltsin felt a need to take a clear step away from the past.
      Russia also had the will to emphasise reconciliation. This was witnessed both in Moscow and in Helsinki. The then Russian Ambassador in Helsinki, Yuri Deryabin, made a fine gesture. He laid a wreath not only at the memorial for Russian soldiers, but also at the cross that commemorates fallen Finnish soldiers at the Hietaniemi Cemetery.
      President Martti Ahtisaari travelled to Moscow for the Victory Day festivities, but praised the accomplishments of Finnish veterans before making his journey east.
      Ahtisaari's trip was criticised at the time as well, but it seems that the 1995 Victory Day left relatively good memories.
     
The present atmosphere is clearly different. The discussion surrounding the event is a direct continuation of the exchange of opinions that began last autumn. Official statements on friendship do not change the fact that there is irritation and even anger in the air on both sides.
      The history of the anniversaries of Victory Day is a good thermometer for relations between Finland and our Eastern neighbour. It is not as warm now as it was in 1995, but luckily it is not as cold as it was in 1985. At the time, the Soviet Union still possessed all its might, and Finland was obliged to celebrate its day of victory.
     
Should President Halonen travel to Moscow?
      The old rule of thumb for relations with Russia is that you need to go to Moscow whenever you are invited. Although the rule dates back to the Soviet period, Finland's Presidents have abided by it in the post-communist Russian era as well.
      Refusing President Vladimir Putin's invitation would be a diplomatic gesture that would certainly be noticed elsewhere than simply in Moscow. Many distinguished guests are set to arrive to celebrate Victory Day.
      For Halonen, the visit is important personally as well. She has been President for five years, and has been interested in Russian relations. Under the new Finnish Constitution, the Prime Minister has indisputably become the leader of Finland's relations with the West, but Halonen has managed to retain the President's role as the leader of Russian relations.
     
Perhaps it would be a good idea for Halonen to direct an elegant gesture towards Finnish veterans, like Ahtisaari did.
      We must look after the honour of our veterans at least as well as our neighbours look after theirs.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 23.4.2005


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish and Russian experts clash over wartime history (22.4.2005)
  Memories of nations (Column) (19.4.2005)

Links:
  Russia takes issue with President Halonen´s views on war (7.3.2005)

UNTO HÄMÄLÄINEN / Helsingin Sanomat
unto.hamalainen@hs.fi