SOVIET ACTIVITIES IN SELECTED MIDDLE EAST/AFRICAN COUNTRIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00353R000100310001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 18, 2006
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 1, 1976
• Content Type: IM

Approved For Release 2007/03/09 : CIA-RDP85T00353R000100310001
Top Secret
Intelligence
Soviet Activities in Selected
Middle East/African Countries
Top Secret
Copy N 0_ 56
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 Approved For Release
SOVIET ACTIVITIES IN SELECTED
MIDDLE EAST/AFRICAN COUNTRIES
January 1, 1976 - July 1, 1976
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Syria . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Iraq ............................. 4
Libya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Iran... ......................... 7
Somalia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Algeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Morocco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
South Yemen (PDRY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Yemen Arab Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Map of the Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
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Soviet Activities in Selected
Middle East/African Countries
January 1, 1976 - July 1, 1976
The Soviet position in the Middle East took another turn for the worse
during May and June. The Lebanese crisis rapidly evolved into the most pressing
problem confronting Soviet objectives in the region. In early June, Premier
Kosygin was greeted upon his arrival in 'Damascus with the news that Syrian
troops had entered the Lebanese fray in force-on the side of the Christians. The
spectacle of its allies, the Syrians and the Palestinians, battling each other with
Soviet-supplied arms has clearly disturbed Moscow.
Soviet plans for using Syria and the Palestinians to isolate Egypt and thwart
US step-by-step diplomacy have been disrupted by the Syrian-PLO conflict, and
the USSR is fearful of the long-term implications of this situation. Recently
Moscow has more openly supported the Palestinians. It has not only helped
others get arms and ammunition to the hard-pressed Palestinian forces in
Lebanon, but has also tried to persuade Syria to cease and desist in Lebanon.
There is some evidence that the Soviets have threatened to curtail or even
end the military supply flow to Syria, but it is still not clear whether the Soviets.
have cut back, and it remains unlikely that Moscow would resort to more than a
slowdown in arms shipments.
Kosygin also found the Baghdad leg of his most recent Middle East visit
disheartening. Talks with the Iraqis were occasionally heated, and although a
new, substantial arms agreement was apparently reached, serious problems
remain unresolved. Syrian-Iraqi tensions, always present, grew worse as Syrian
involvement in Lebanon deepened. The Iraqis moved large numbers of troops
toward the Syrian border, increasing the danger of hostilities between Iraq and
Syria.
Soviet-Egyptian relations remain strained, although Cairo has indicated it
hopes for improvement. The Soviets, biding their time, have yet to react
decisively to these overtures and may be awaiting more concrete gestures,
knowing that the Egyptian military needs spare parts badly.
Soviet relations with Morocco have deteriorated, even though Moscow has
not overtly sided with Algeria in the Spanish Sahara dispute. The dispute
between Somalia and Ethiopia over the FTAI has thus far produced no clear
strains in Moscow's relations with either Mogadiscio or Addis Ababa. Soviet
influence in Aden and Sana may be threatened if Saudi Arabia's efforts to
improve relations with both countries make headway. There have been recurring
reports of an impending arms deal between the USSR and Kuwait. These reports
are unconfirmed, occasionally contradictory, but persistent.
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Soviet Aid Agreements (A) and Deliveries (D)
(Million US $)
1975 ----
1976, 1st Half ----
Military Personnel
in Soviet Union for Training
1972 220
1973 100
1974 ----
1975 ----
1976, 1st Half ----,
So
Military
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976, 1
vie
Te
st
t and East European
chnicians in Country
5,500
520
200
215
Half 175
Major Repair Shore
Ports
Use
Facilities Facilities
Alexandria
Denied access since
April 1
976
Denied Denied
Mersa Matruh
Denied access since
May 19
75
NA NA
Port Said
Denied access since
May 19
75
NA NA
(but had not been u
sed sin
ce
Yom Kippur War)
Territorial Anchorages
Sollum
Denied access since
May 19
75
Ras al Kanais
Denied access since
May 19
75
C. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Agreements signed (January 1, 1976-July 1, 1976)
April 28
Annual Soviet-Egyptian trade protocol signed.
New contract for Soviet aid to Inshas nuclear research center signed.
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Soviet Aid Agreements (A) and Deli series (D)
(Million US $)
1972
316
152
1973
705
708
1974
523
535
1975
303
190
Military Personnel
in Soviet Union for Training
Soviet and EastEuropean
M Iitary Technicians in Country
1972
530
1~7~'
1,140
1973
700
1~7
1,780
1974
530
1c7
2,150
1375
300
1c7:>
3,050
14976, 1st Half
375
1c7r . 1st Half
3,050
Major Repair Shore
Facilities Facilities
Replenishment of diesel submm- NA NA
rives, small warships and intel-
ligence collectors (has re-
ceived most of the Soviet sup-
port ships previously stationed
in Alexandria)
Replenishment of diesel subm
`Qatar
U.A.E.
Saudi
Arabia
/'Yom on (S)
Yemen (A)
''F.T. A.].(Fr) ,,.
South-West
Africa
Mauritius
Reunion
(Fr.)
Walvis Bay
(S. Af.)
J
South Africa `Lesotho
0 500 1000 Miles
500 1000 Kilom ete rs
Names and boundary representation
are not necessarily authoritative
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