Speech #820157811

I made a statement in which I indicated that had these people remained In Sweden they would have been forcibly repatriated to Estonia. inasmuch as Sweden had recognized the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union. The representatives of the Swedish Government in the United States have informed me that I was mistaken in part ofmy statement. They have advised me that Sweden generally gives asylum to refugees from behind the iron curtain. and that 30.000 of these refugees are now living in Sweden. I very much regret that my remarks were interpreted as casting any reflection on the great and courageous people of Sweden or their fine government. I know how nobly they have stood up in the face of the Soviet terror and of the Soviet threat which is so near to them and hence so much more terrible. I commend the Swedish Government with all my heart for its bold stand in giving haven to these refugees whom the Soviet Government would like to get back in * order to send them to slavelabor camps or worse. However. the individuals who fled to this country from Sweden. and for whom I sought to provide permanent residence. did have a very real and practical fear of being within such easy reach of the Soviet terror. Just across the.border the iron curtain hangs.