The Demilitarization and Neutralization of the Åland Islands: A Regime 'in European Interests' Withstanding Changing Circumstances

Abstract

The purpose of establishing demilitarized or neutralized zones is to prevent acts of war from taking place within the zone. The State with sovereignty over the area has an obligation to protect its neutra lity. Earlier this method was frequently used to calm strategically important areas of high tension. This study describes the history and evolution of the demilitarization and neutralization of the Åland Islands archipelago in the northern Baltic Sea. The actors are Russia and later Finland as holders of so vereignty, with Sweden, Great Britain, France, and Germany as the main demandeurs. The study analy zes in particular the Åland Islands demilitarization convention of 1856, the convention on the demilitari zation and neutralization of the Åland Islands of 1921, the Finnish-Soviet Treaty concerning the Åland Islands of 1940 and the present-day status of the islands. The impact of the First and Second World Wars on the international treaty regulations are described as well as the sovereignty holders' attempts to free themselves from the restrictions imposed on them. The Åland Islands have today lost a great deal of their previously important strategic status. Nevertheless, the demilitarization and neutralization of the Åland Islands in combination with their self-government provide an interesting case which may have re levance to the present discussion regarding the establishment of a Nordic nuclear-weapon-free zone. It may also provide ideas for solving certain ongoing conflicts in other parts of the world.