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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, DECEMBER 16, 1983
PAGE 13
as for� Finlandization of Moscow's European allies. In this re
spect German policy would assume the function of a European peace
policy and a neutralized Germany in Central Europe would be
avoided. In view of Germany's geopolitical position, � reunited
Germany would also be neither in the German nor in the general
European interest. For it would end � in isolation, thereby
making impossible West European union and an effective East-West
security system••••
From the West's perspective the two self-governing halves of
Europe would provide the foundation for � secure world peace
based on an expanded definition of security that emphasized eco
nomic stability and the right to self-determination. These ob
Jectives, after all, provided the original justification for the
creation of the Western alliance.
One wonders whether Herr Bloemer's prognostication might not be pretty
close to the way events will materialize, as indicated in the second
chapter of Daniel. Might the Europe to come indeed be composed of two
confederated "halves": one leg (and foot and five toes) representing
Western Europe, the other leg comprising the nations of Eastern Europe,
existing in a Finlandized form, giving due consideration to the security
interests of the Soviet Union? In addition the vast economic potential of
such a grand settlement of the European problem calls to mind the enormous
economic system prophesied in Revelation 18.
As the former U.S. ambassador to Finland, Mark E. Austad {now ambassador to
Norway) said recently in Los Angeles, the term "Finlandization" is a much
maligned term, used to connote Western European subservience to Moscow, a
word highly offensive to the Finnish people, who, faced with reality (an
800-mile shared border with the U.S.S.R.), have managed to preserve their
independence. But looking at it from the perspective of the East Euro
peans, said Mr. Austad, "the East Europeans would love to be Finlandized."
Foreign policy analyst Richard Bannett, writing in the November 29 NEW YORK
TIMES, also touched on this "Europe-of-two-halves" theme:
The heart of the alliance problem is Germany--as it always has
been--and the security of Germany can be improved only by de
creasing the threat of war. To do so, we must reduce tensions
between the superpowers. A moratorium on all further nuclear
weapons testing and deployment should be negotiated immediately
with the Soviet Union....
This would involve nuclear-free zones, substantial thinning out
of forces and a demilitarized zone on both sides of the Elbe.
Washington should encourage trade and cultural relations between
the two halves of the divided Continent..•. The Western Europeans
could then assume greater responsibility for their own defense
and the United States could begin the withdrawal of its forces.
This would take years. How much and how fast woul�depend on the
emerging political and military climate.
The world is truly in for some shocking realignments of the political
landscape of Europe in the months and years ahead.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau