SOVIETS LOSING CLOUT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, STUDY SAYS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00806R000201140104-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 30, 2010
• Sequence Number: 104
• Publication Date: March 11, 1984
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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S0~'IETS LOSING CLOUT IN CENTRAL AMERICA, STUDY SAYS
The Soviet Union is increasing its presence in the da r
Americans, but is losing clout in the region to the Catholic Church and Neste rn
trade, according to a University of Miami study released Sunday.
The 31-page report, titled "Soviet Attitudes Toward, Aid to, and Contacts
with Central American Revolutionaries," was commissioned by the U.S. State
Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research.
It contains previously unavailable data on Soviet involvement, said the
author, University of Miami professor Carl Jacobsen, a consultant to the ll.S.
State Department on Soviet matters.
" Moscow's presence in Central America emerges as both more extensive and
more multi-faceted than generally appreciated, " said Jacobsen. In addition t o
its military and economic involvement, Moscow maintains " a slew of other
contact points, " he said.
The Soviet Union sponsors student exchanges, peace congresses, sports and
youth festivals, professional and trade associatiions, and "friendship clubs "
in the region, he noted.
Rut Moscow's ability to control events in Central America may actually be one
the wane, Jacobsen said. Counterweights to the Soviet influence, such as aid
- from Western Europe and the Catholic Church,. are more penetrating and
far-reaching than previously thought, he said. ~
Jacobsen's report is based on reports from western intelligence sources and
on surveys of Soviet books, military journals and media coverage.
Those publications contained frequent comments on European presence and
.pervasive church influence in Central America, Jacobsen said.
Japan's trade with Nicaragua has risen in direct reverse proportion to
iJashington's economic withdrawal, Jacobsen said. Algeria picked up the sugar
crop that America stopped buying. .
" Aid from Western Europe and (United Nations) agencies has been even more
substantial, and hence crucial, " Jacobsen said. "Furthermore, it must be
said that in the context of her overall aid to Third World nations, Moscow's.
commitment to Nicaragua is modest."
Italy, West Germany, Spain, Austria and Canada are sending. food and economic
aide to Central America. Sweeden has sent money for transportation proiects.
riexico and Venezuela have extended credits for oil purchases.
In Nicaragua, a mid-1983 analysis concluded half of the country's assistance
came from Western Europe and Latin America, while only 20 percent came from
Communist countries.
Cont-nued
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/30: CIA-RDP9
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/30: CIA-RDP90-008068000201140104-8