FINLAND I. STATUS AND STRENGTH OF THE FINNISH COMMUNIST PARTY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-00915R000900030089-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 23, 1998
• Sequence Number: 89
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/07/28 : CIA-RDP78-00915R000900030089-2
and
st FFarty, legal since 1944, is represented
ish parliament by the Finnish People's Democratic League
(SI L), a front organization dominated by Communists and including
l Aft-Wing, Socialists. Coax nisi voting strength has remained
fairly stable in relation to that of the non-Co nnnunist parties; the
FCP's membership is estimated at about 25,000-30,000 as of
February 1958.
Although the CP controls 43 of ZaO seats in Parliament, C:
f
e
forts to infiltrate other branches of the national government
failed, mainly because of a strictly enforced merit system and the
refusal of the other Finnish political parties to cooperate with the
S1DL in the formation of a cabinet. They have not been represented
in the cabinet since Tuly 1948. In the October 1956 nationwide commu-
nal elections (before the Hungarian uprisings) Communists polled
21.2% of the vote. Communist in lutence is strongest in Lapland and
in urban industrial centers. The most important area of Communist
penetration is the Confederation of Finnish Trade Unions (SA ) where
Communists and fellow travelers account for 3045% of the member-
ontrol six of the thirty- six affiliated national unions. The
gartan revolt caused some dissension among the Party's rank and
Information is not available to show whether or not the Finnish
CP now has militant action groupa ready to carry out aggressive
action. Since many CP's of the Free World do have such groups, it
is reasonable to assume that the Finnish CP also has them in readi-
ness for "self-defense'#, security, guard duty or for action of more
aggressive nature.
M. T'rainin in beta a Given within Finland
reports relating to Communist activity in Kemi, a Finnish
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1953 showed that Party functionaries were giving lectures
is Action. Atone of theme meetings a discussion was held which
ed the following topics: how the revolution was accomplished in
mete; how "true Cori;. ate" would react to (1) revolution by force
"?? '.
e extent to which sabotage duties could be assigned
be put into effect in Finland if the occasion demanded them.
IV. Trai.nin in Lebo. a in (om~naunist floc Cot ntariea
n to available to show that such trainin
i
i
b
g
s
e
ng
given to `inntsh Comrnuraiets in order to prepare them for future
sabotage missions sponsored by the local Communist party,
V. Targets, of Communist Sabotage
a. T'. $. Perso :el *nd/or Installations
There is no indication of such action directed against U. S.
personnel or installations in Finland.
rio Strike
94
In August 1949 demonstrations and riots occurred during a
17-day Communist-led strike. In riots in the north of Finland
two men were killed and many were injured. Although the strikes
.,.~....
r
ca
d by Communist-led labor uni+sns oet,exeaetbly in order
1-6 -
ay. they were described by Prei er Karl August
reatcst attemwpt since the war to crush
from the Communist WO
The only period when the FCP engaged in violence and disruptive
i
it
n
s effect constituted sabotage was after the cPSU/
n a
al
l
i
l
_ _
gyp....
e
n
ate
1947-1949. sca
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Estimate of Threat
The fact that the T'CP in 1947-1949 engaged in violence and
ruptive action in response to a CPS /Corninform requirement
it likely that the FCP would do so again if called upon. But
is some indication that rank and file members are not as
willing to undertake aggressive action now as they were in the past
because of the alleged failure of the FCP to support and defend them
when they were apprehended for violent acts. Reports of ;1956 and
1957 show a possible intention for Scandinavian Communist parties
to enter upon a. program to slaw dawn or to halt production of war
goods and to prevent shipments and deliveries of these goods. This
program was reported to be under the direction of unidentified
members of the Finnish CiP. To date these 1956 and 1957 reports
have not been confirmed.
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17 L- "I L. I