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Subject: Press release 12.01.2006, free for publication
Sender: Professori Arto Lahti Presidentiksi -kansalaisliike
Information: www.prokarelia.net, Email
THE RETURN OF KARELIA [BY PROKARELIA]
Forcefully ceded Karelia
Finnish Karelia was forcefully ceded in 1944 as a ”pawn of peace” to the Soviet Union (SU). Karelia is a wonderful land of memories, the cradle of culture, robbed land and object of longing. It is 10 % of Finnish surface area and 0.22 % of the Russian Federation (RF).
When the SU collapsed in 1991 15 countries became independent. Finland stayed quiet about Karelia even though around a million Finns are of Karelian heritage. The heir to the SU, the RF, contrary to international agreements still occupies the forcefully ceded areas with its military and inhabits them with its citizens.
Brief history
Finnish ancestral people have inhabited Karelia for around 10,000 years and Russians for 60. Finland became independent 06.12.1917 along the grand duchy borders which were concreticized and complemented with Petsamo (Pechenga) in the Tartu Peace Treaty of 1920.
The SU attacked Finland 30.11.1939. The Winter War began. The SU was expelled from the League of Nations. A state of war ended 13.03.1940 in interim peace. The first evacuation happened.
The SU bombed Finland 25.06.1941. The Continuation War began. The evacuees returned. The war ended in Finnish defense victory, the evacuees’ flight and heavy conditions for peace outlined in Paris, 1947.
The losses of wars were near to crushing; around 95,000 dead, 240,000 injured, 420,000 evacuees, 80,000 children of war, 85,000 war orphans, war reparations worth US$300m gold dollars, the shame of sentencing those so called guilty of war, monitoring commission and time of Soviet pressure, time of Finlandization.
Background for the return
Demand for what is just is growing and crimes of communism are also being condemned.
Finland ended in 1992 unilaterally the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance (FCMA) and according to the U.S. also the Paris Peace Treaty. The world has changed.
The evacuees received in social welfare and subsidies on average 20 % compensation for loss of their property but retained right
of ownership. They were inhabited in a unique way. Had they stayed in Karelia most would have been destroyed and the rest of Finland occupied as well. Their purpose in reconstruction has been instrumental.
Tens of thousands of people had to cede evacuees land. Received compensation did not cover losses.
Karelia from the viewpoint of Moscow is a periphery without perspective. It is wasting away and emptying. The medieval stone city of Viipuri (Vyborg) and unique stone castle are crumbling. Only oil ports, shops and dachas – countryhouses - are being built.
The return economically
On estimate around €8B is needed for infrastructure and around €20B towards private investments over 10 years. Forest revenue as well as property and woodland value would be around €10B. The infrastructure is then funded by taking advantage of these unutilized resources.
For investments there will be EU support and investments from different parts of the world. A big industrial and commercial concentration in the proximity of St. Petersburg benefits both countries. The growing markets in Russia interest domestic and international businesses.
The return will develop additional resources for the national economy especially in eastern Finland. The construction phase will employ around 400-500,000 working years and would create nearly 150,000 permanent jobs. Around 300,000 Finns would move to the area.
Russian population
Around 365,000 Russians live in Karelia; some 100,000 in the Republic of Karelia, 80,000 around Viipuri, around 120,000 in the proximity of St. Petersburg and the rest in the district of Käkisalmi (Korela) and small villages.
In the return the border guards, officials and army move back to Russia. Those leaving from the area going back to their roots can be supported. Around 200,000 people would stay in the area thus 4% of Finnish population. Housing rights, social and other security are implemented according to international regulations. The inhabitants remain Russian citizens.
The return is a process
ProKarelia introduces six points for realizing the return.
- stop the blame and build on a positive future
- accept a peaceful return based on mutual advantage (win-win)
- accept the nature of the return hence progress in stages
- concentrate forces first on a political and national discussion in Finland
- motivate the leadership to do a broad study about the effects of the return
- search for political understanding for the cause and offer negotiations to Russia
Teamwork pays!
We live in a changing world, one of possibilities, where life is not controlled by going in reverse. ProKarelia wishes for cooperation for the return of the forcefully ceded territories. It is a constructive form to integrate Russia into the EU. From the return will stem a new, open beginning for Finnish, EU and Russian constructive cooperation.
Teamwork pays – Ex unitate vires!
ProKarelia
ProKarelia is a non-governmental organization (NGO). Its mission is to have the forcefully ceded territories to the Soviet Union as a consequence of the last wars returned to be a part of Finland and the EU.
The return is to happen peacefully negotiating, in good cooperation, with Russia, the EU, OSCE, UN and other international organizations.
Valuing the Karelian culture and history in the Finland of today is valuable but much more exciting for the development of the entire country is valuing the Karelian culture on its own place in the returned Karelia!
www.prokarelia.net
Email
Additional information:
Professor Arto Lahti
+358 50 376 9428 Email
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