COMMUNIST ECONOMIC PENETRATION OF WEST

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP62S00545A000100090052-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 17, 1998
• Sequence Number: 52
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
Communist Economic Penetration of West
I. New Soviet Policy Tool.
A. West alerted to increasing Soviet competition in field
of international trade and aid.
1. Khrushchev's former stress on "peace competition"
(Will probably be increased under "Hard Line").
2. Soviet trade with underdeveloped countries of Free
World up over 500 percent since 1954; total Soviet
trade with West up over 100 percent.
II. Bi-weekly intelligence reporting on Soviet economic activities
in Free World. Since February 1956, working group of repre-
sentatives from State, CIA, ICA, the Services, and Depart-
25X1A9a ments of Treasury, Commerce, Agriculture report in detail
every two weeks. Analytic summary every 6 months. Copies
go to our consumers - Council on Foreign Economic Policy -
"Randall" .
III. Soviet Capabilities for Trade and Aid.formidable.
A. Total output (GNP) of USSR now greater than that of UK,
France, and West Germany combined. Second only to US.
Approved For Release 2000/09/1111 C A RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
 Approved For Release 2000/0914 % c-l -RDP62S00545A000100090052-0
B. However, USSR not traditionally a "trading nation" in
Western sense. Present level of trade still small in
relation to total output, although growing.
(Currency problem - Barter. )
Total 1957 USSR exports - $4 billion (about 3/4 in Bloc).
Total 1957 US exports - $18 billion.
(Of USSR to Free World, $1 billion exports: $700 million
to developed, $300 million to underdeveloped. )
IV. USSR credits and grant assistance.
A. Very sharp expansion recent years.
1. Since 1954, about $2 billion credits and grants extended
by all Bloc countries (Briefing Aid).
a. About $1. 5 billion economic assistance, $500 mil-
lion military.
b. Under these credits, drawings amount about
$700 million. However, we believe this figure
substantially understates Bloc deliveries pri-
marily because of gross understatement of value
of arms shipments.
Approved For Release 2000/09i1b-RDP62S00545A000100090052-0
 Approved For Release 2000/09/11 G)AFP62S00545A000100090052-0
(1) Represent deliveries of arms, complete plants,
industrial equipment, such as:
Six bridges to Egypt; equipment steel mill,
India; oil refinery, Syria; flour mill,
Afghanistan.
(2) Military hardware such as:
(a) Military planes, Indonesia, Egypt, Syria, etc.
(b) Tanks, self-propelled artillery, Syria, Egypt,
Yemen.
(c) Submarines, small naval vessels, Egypt.
(3) Some commodities:
(a) Wheat to Egypt; cotton, wheat, oil to Yugoslavia.
(b) Rice to Indonesia (from China) - during recent
rebellion.
(4) Small amount convertible currency:
(a) $30 million to Yugoslavia from USSR 1956
(b) China grant Egypt, early 1957, $5 million in
Swiss francs
V. Technicians - Trade Missions.
A. First 6 months 1958, about 3, 600 Bloc technicians working
Free World - half from USSR - half from Satellites (Briefing
Aid).
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 C1A-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
 Approved For Release 2000/09/-1; [3IA-RDP62S00545A000100090052-0
B. Bloc sent trade missions all parts world - signed trade and
payments agreements Free World countries - more than
250 now in force.
VI. Soviet aid principally to highly susceptible countries.
A. Result - 6 countries received over 90 percent of credits -
Yugoslavia, Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, India, Indonesia.
1. Soviet recently postponed .for 5 years implementation
of substantial credits Yugoslavia. Soviets, late June,
stated willing to negotiate. Obvious move to establish
more favorable setting during Nasser's visit with Tito.
Even writing off these credits altogether, Yugoslavia
remains a major recipient Bloc credits - about $220 mil-
lion. "Strings without aid. "
VII. Soviets exploit particular problems of the moment.
A. India - exploited ambitious development program in steel -
intense neutralist sentiment.
B. Egypt - helped dispose of cotton surplus problem; met desire
for arms. Sudan (same appeal re cotton).
Soviets not neglecting Latin American countries with serious eco-
nomic problems - industrial development aspirations, marketing dif-
ficulties:
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
 Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
1. Brazil concerned large coffee surpluses.
2. Chile .falling copper prices, Uruguay - wool.
3. Uruguay and Argentina have turned to USSR for large pur-
chases oil - lacked foreign exchange to buy from Free
World - Brazil seriously negotiating for Soviet oil
(prices slightly under world market).
4. Argentina reported considering $300 million credit from
USSR .for purchase Soviet oil equipment and technical
assistance.
VIII. Soviet competition with West not confined to underdeveloped coun-
tries - attempt to get grip on Western European markets and ex-
pand trade.
A. Increasing sales of Soviet aluminum, tin, flax, woodpulp caus-
ing consternation among Western producers.
1. Market conditions in West .for each of these are such that
Western prices were high.
2. Soviet agitation of these markets at present a by-product
of their need to acquire foreign exchange.
3. Soviets, however, probably pleased with by-product, and
their ability to use trade as political weapon implies a
threat to future stability of Western markets.
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 CIA-RDP62S00545A000100090052-0
 Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
B. Prime reason for present increased activity in commodity
markets is necessity for financing larger imports from
industrialized West - Soviets attempting to make their
economy more efficient, maintain rates of growth. Their
gold production in 1957 about $175 million, compared to
shipments of about $265 million to West. Soviets credited
with $4 billion in gold reserves.
1. Main problem facing Soviet economy today lies in supply
of industrial raw materials - emphasis on chemicals
industry represents a rational attempt to expand raw
material base.
2. Fact that synthetics can be used to expand output con-
sumer goods is relevant, but not most significant part
of their program.
To expand chemical industry quickly, Soviets turning
to industrial West - (wanted us to help their iron ore
and synthetic industries).
Recent large orders placed for industrial equipment in
West Germany, France, feelers to Sweden on $350 mil-
lion oil pipeline.
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
 Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0
IN SUMMARY - Size of Soviet economy gives Kremlin formidable
weapon for pushing world-wide aims. In underdeveloped
areas, Soviet trade and aid program largely politically moti-
vated. Concentrated in a few countries where it has already
had important impact at little cost to Soviets. Difficult for
West to compete using normal commercial practices. New
challenge to our ingenuity.
Approved For Release 2000/09/11 : CIA-RDP62SO0545A000100090052-0