Establishment of a mission and appointment of an envoy

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs marks the 90th anniversary year of its establishment in 2008. During its anniversary year the Ministry will present its history and treasures from its archives, among others in a serie of articles. In this serie Ministry has earlier published the articles:

• "Åland - To Finland or to Sweden?"
• "Negotiating solo - Councillor of State Edvard Hjelt and Finland's first treaty with a foreign State"
• "Vying foreign services"
• "New Year’s Eve at Smolna, St Petersburg – Recognition of Finland’s independence on 31 December 1917"
• "The Declaration of Independence: 'Among free and independent nations"
• "Finland's independence is recognised by European states - vivat, floreat,crescat"

All the articles can be read on the website MFA 90.

Jussi Pekkarinen: Establishment of a mission and appointment of an envoy

Staff of the Finnish mission in Copenhagen in the 1920s

When Denmark recognized Finland's independence on 10 January 1918, it was the sixth state to do so, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established about one month afterwards. A.H.Saastamoinen, who had earned his spurs in business life and as one of the leaders of the independence movement, was proposed to become Finland's first envoy to Copenhagen. Saastamoinen had discussed the appointment with the government of Vaasa and he then wrote to Senator Heikki Renvall: ''If any element of doubt about my suitability to the position in the mission in Copenhagen is expressed especially by someone from abroad, I ask you not pay attention to the discussions that we have conducted between ourselves, because this matter is of such significance that there is not any room for making a mistake. I am very grateful for the attention that I have received but, for my part, I insist that a different decision be made if there is the slightest reasons for that.'' (unofficial translation)

At the beginning of March 1918, when the government of Denmark granted an agrèment to Saastamoinen, he did not object to the appointment any more. He travelled to Copenhagen via Haaparanta and assumed his functions as the Finnish Chargé d'Affaires on 1 April 1918. His appointment to the position of Envoy took place as late as in October.

Telegram concerning a female typist

Unofficial translation:

"Finnish legation, Copenhagen

No U89 Yours L820 A female typist with good references is available. She has passed a shorthand course but has no experience. Can we hire her now that other suitable candidates have not applied. Reply by telegram.

Foreign Affairs Committee"

The first duty was naturally to find premises and buy office furniture to the new legation. Next, newspapers and books had to be purchased, not to mention stamps and note paper and a shield. And on top of these duties, the new Chargé d'Affaires was responsible for hiring staff, of whom some came from Finland but several were locally engaged. The Chargé d'Affaires had better rapidly get familiar with the host state's domestic and foreign policy – unless he had already done so. He also had to establish relations with the local dignitaries. In accordance with formal diplomatic behaviour, the representative of a newly independent state had to call on the other diplomats in the city. And, above all, he had to present his credentials to the King. Saastamoinen received detailed instructions from Helsinki. Very few ordinary Finnish diplomats had any experience whatsoever of the intricacies of protocol, which is why Secretary of State K.G. Idman's guidance was undoubtedly useful.

"By virtue of your appointment as Minister, I thus have the honour to send you, Mr Minister, your Letter of Credence, which you must present to H.M. The King of Denmark. I dare to point out that in accordance with international practice, when you deliver your Letter of Credence to His Majesty, you have to give a brief speech, in which you pass to His Majesty the compliments of the Regent and the Government and say that you hope the relations between Finland and Denmark will develop favourably, etc." (unofficial translation) Saastamoinen complied with the instructions when he presented his credentials to the King of Denmark on 9 December 1918.

Letter of Mr. Saastamoinen (in Finnish) (PDF, 603 kB)

Letter of Mr. Saastamoinen (English translation) (PDF, 8 kB)