ABSTRACT
One aspect of neutrality, politically the most important one, consists in creating zones of regional stability in a Cold War atmosphere. There exists a wide spectrum of practical services that European neutrals are prepared to offer to antagonists in areas of conflict as well as to the community of nations at large. Whilst Moscow seems to assign the European neutrals a certain place in the policies towards the West, there is notable absence in Washington of any policy in respect of the European neutrals. Neutrality originally meant non-involvement and impartiality in armed conflict. Permanent neutrality, a status enjoyed by Austria and Switzerland, requires freedom from alliances and absence of foreign military bases. The neutrality of Sweden, better to say Sweden's pragmatic policy of "not-alliance", is bolstering Finnish neutrality, and is thereby vital for the security of all Nordic countries. The lack of interest of successive post-war US administrations in questions of neutrality is notorious.
