Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP79-01203A000200110003-9
Body:
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79-01203A000200110003-9
CONFIDENTIAL
US OFFICIALS ONLY
EDIC/ID?lO
Control No. 2114
10 February 1955
MI} ORANDUM FOR: Economic Defense Intelligence Committee
FROM : Executive Secretary, EDIC
SUBJECT : ONI Contribution m "Finnish Merchant Ships
for Communist China"
1. The attached are furnished by the ONI member through the
OSD member for EDIC (EDAC). Attachment No, 1 may not be released
to foreign nationals- 25X1 X7
25X1X7
7
2. Information is provided on Chinese Communist efforts
to purchase old ships from shipowners in Finland,, Denmark, Sweden
and Norway. Reference is made to the Finnish vessels AUNE He,
VAASA, PETSAMO, KOTKA, and WERGUS.
3. The Department of State in DEPTEL Helsinki 278 of
1 February 1955 referred to the issuance of Finnish expert licenses
for sale of six vessels to Communist China and to an earlier DEPTEL
which suggested "Finns should be dissuaded sell any type ships
Red China contrary UN embargo". DEPTEL 278 instructs the Embassy
to explore with the Finnish Government various methods of preventing
the sale of these vessels to Communist China and to attempt to get
"as firm assurance as possible there will be no additional licenses
granted for any ship sales to China." The American Embassy in
Helsinki subsequently has advised that the Chinese Communists have
refused recent Finnish offers to sell five vessels for which export
licenses have been granted by Finland.
State Dept. declassification & release instructions on file
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79-01203A000200110003-9
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79-01203A000200110003-9
CONFIDENTIAL
US OFFICIALS ONLY
EDIC/ID 10
4. The attached ONI contribution is tabled (with clearances
as indicated) to provide action agencies with a concise restatement
of the problem'to assist in exploring with the British whether
actual delivery of the Finnish ships to Communist China can be
impeded by denial of bunkers or other measures,
25X1A9a
Attachments
No. 1 - Chinese Communist Purchases of Merchant Ships in
Scandinavian Countries
No. 2 - Delivery of Finnish Mership WERGUS to Communist China
Distribution
Cato B (5,813)(S/TR)
C-(1-3)
D(am)
E (1-4c,g,5a)
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79-01203A000200110003-9