WEEKLY SUMMARY
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'Now' ~ftw Secret
Weekly Summary
State Dept. review completed
Secret
No. 0040/74
4 October 1974
Copy N2 59
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The WEEKLY SUMMARY, issued every Friday morning by
the Office of Current Intelligence, reports and analyzes signif-
icant developments of the week through noon on Thursday. It
frequently includes material coordinated with or prepared by
the Office of Economic Research, the Office of Strategic
Research, and the Directorate of Science and Technology.
Topics requiring more comprehensive treatment and therefore
published separately, as Special Reports are listed in the
contents.
EAST ASIA
PACIFIC
19
20
21
22
22
China: Agreeing to Disagree
4 Cyprus Settlement Overshadowed
6 Spain: Rightists Speaking Out
12 Hungary-USSR: A Vote of Confidence
13 USSR - Eastern Europe: Grain Prospects
11 Italy: Rough Week Ahead
15 Polish Leader Visits US
17 Egypt: Peacetime Cabinet
18 Nigeria; Military To Stay
Cambodia: Breathing Easier
Thailand: A Bad Case of Nerves
Laos: Trouble Ahead
China-Philippines: Improving Relations
The Korean Question at the UN
24 Castro Speaks on Foreign Policy
25 Dominican Republic: The Kidnaping
26 Venezuela: Riding the Crest
27 Bolivia: Pre-election Maneuvers
25X1 X6
CONTENTS (October 4, 1974)
MIDDLE EAST
AFRICA
WESTERN
HEMISPHERE
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China: Agreeing ~o Disagree
[As the People's Republic celeb iteb its 25th
year, China's leaders were looking backward as
well as forward. Much of the media debate of the
current political campaign has been conducted
using historical analogy, particularly the failure of
progressive forces to hold sway after the death of
the first Chin emperor. The current pre-
occupation is, of course, over the succession to
the Mao "dynasty," and this concern was clearly
evident in National Day events, which attempted
to project an image of unity and stability.
All active Politburo members except Mao
made public appearances, and Premier Chou left
the hospital briefly to make a ringing address to
over 4,000 cheering celebrants. The enthusiastic
reception accorded Chou highlights the sense of
relief obviously felt by most Chinese as a result of
the apparent improvement in the Premier's
health. But even the rehabilitation of a number of
government bureaucrats, military men, and pro-
vincial leaders could not dispel the underlying
sense of unease, as if the final act of a drama was
being played out with the audience still in doubt
as to the ending. A joint editorial, broadcast on
the eve of National Day, set the tone. While
promising that the campaign to criticize Con-
fucius would continue for a long time,'the
emphasis was on study rather than criticism, and
the message was unity.
The appearance list was unusually long and
complete. All government ministers appeared
except the public security boss-who may well be
dead-and the Central Committee list included
several provincial military leaders who had been
under heavy attack. Party vice chairman Li Te-
sheng showed up in his provincial home, although
it was not possible to determine if he retains all
his jobs since leaders there were not identified by
title. Even the first secretary of Shansi, who
seemed politically dead after a play written in his
province was branded a "poisonous weed," was
on hand. The continued survival of so many
leaders makes it difficult to identify any high-
ranking officials who have fallen as a result of the
anti-Lin, anti-Confucius campaign--now more
than a year old-and raises the possibility that any
purge now will be limited in the face of leadership
uncertainties precipitated by Chou's illness.
It is possible that the spirit of compromise
extends to the long-delayed meeting of the Na-
tional People's Congress, which may be in train
again after a number of false starts. The congress
would approve a new state constitution and a
slate of government ministers, and could provide
a forum to announce appointments to several
vacant military leadership posts. The joint edi-
torial failed to mention the NPC, however, which
is probably a negative sign.
But behind the facade of unity, the maneu-
vering for position goes on. In the weeks just
before National Day, Madame Mao was in the
spotlight. A series of poems praising an ancient
empress who ruled China for over 20 years after
her husband died thrust Chiang Ching's succession
ambitions clearly to the fore. Typically, this
initiative did not go unanswered, and after the
noise from the fireworks dies away and the
clean-up crews finish their tasks, China's modern
mandarins will resume their efforts to shape the
new dynastic leadership.
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Argentina: Anti-sub~versi n Laws
President Peron was able to push a sweeping
anti-subversion bill through the congress after a
bitter debate last week, but it aroused suspicion
among opposition legislators, who charged that its
vaguely worded provisions could be used to stifle
democratic freedoms.
The bill gives the government broad new
powers, including the right to imprison accom-
plices of guerrillas, recalcitrant strikers, and news-
men who report subversive activities. Foreign cor-
respondents could be vulnerable. In the past,
selected newsmen have been invited to secret
press conferences held by leaders of extremist
groups. The government has condemned this
practice, claiming that it supports the terrorists'
psychological efforts to undermine government
authority. Although the interior minister testified
before congress that the new law would not result
in any infringement on the news media, the gov-
ernment is unlikely to back away from its ap-
parent plan to impose a news blackout on guer-
rilla and terrorist activities.
The killing spree went on unabated this
week, claiming the lives of former Chilean army
commander General Carlos Prats and his wife.
Prats had been living quietly in Buenos Aires since
he resigned from the Allende government last
year, and the identity of his killers has not been
established.
Meanwhile, a string of terrorist attacks on
Argentine army officers heightened frustration
among the military, which is still committed to
operate within the constitutional framework. The
People's Revolutionary Army recently swore to
make "indiscriminate reprisals" against the army
for the "execution" of 14 guerrillas captured last
month, and this may elicit tougher action from
the military. Army commander General Anaya,
for example, has vowed that the army would use
"all its power" to destroy the terrorists. F
SECRET
The army has been generally reluctant to
become totally involved in counterterrorism,
partly out of a desire to shed the unpopular image
it acquired during the period of military rule from
1966 to 1973, and partly from an awareness of
the likely negative political reaction if harsh secu-
rity measures are taken. Nevertheless, the military
may find itself with little option except to move
more forcefully against the widening terrorist of-
fensive.
The growing wave of violence is also being
fostered by right-wing death squads, which are
stepping up action against leftist politicians,
entertainers, and academicians. The self-styled
Argentine Anticommunist Alliance
-has 25X1
taken credit for the killing of at least six persons
and is adding new victims daily to its "death list."
Many of those targeted have gone into hiding or
have left the country.
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, L_ V 1 l L_ I _--
CYPRUS: SETTLEMENT VERSHAD WED
Diplomatic efforts to move toward a nego-
tiated settlement of the Cyprus problem were
overshadowed this week by political develop-
ments in Athens, Ankara, and Nicosia. The
Karamanlis government in Greece continued to
move toward the holding of elections, despite
some faint rumblings in the military. In Ankara,
the task of forming a new government was given
to opposition leader Demirel after Prime Minister
Ecevit failed twice to organize a new coalition. In
Nicosia, Acting Cypriot President Clerides' threat
to resign has at least temporarily stalled the talks
he had been conducting with Turkish Cypriot
leader Denktash.
Greek political parties have stepped up their
activities in anticipation of parliamentary elec-
tions. These are now scheduled to be held on
November 17 and will be followed within 45 days
by a referendum on the future of the monarchy.
The present government will resign next week and
will be replaced by a caretaker government under
Prime Minister Karamanlis.
A military move against Karamanlis at this
time would probably be unsuccessful, largely
because the army is not united. Moreover, many
rightists, including army officers, realize that they
stand to gain if elections are held before the left
has been able to organize an effective opposition-
The feuding Communists have managed to
pull together a limited program of electoral co-
operation. The Moscow-backed Greek Communist
Party and the United Democratic Left have
agreed to coordinate activity, but for the election
only; a dissident Communist Party faction has
also worked out a loose arrangement with the
United Democratic Left.
The US embassy reports that Andreas
Papandreou's Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement
has gotten off to a slow start. He is reportedly not
getting the backing of the liberals of the Center
Union, but drawing support only from urban
youth and students.
Several new political groups have emerged. A
group of prominent political personalities, all rela-
tively young and nearly all associated with resist-
ance to the former junta, have announced the
formation of a left-of-center movement called
"New Political Forces." Minister of Industry
Protopapas has formed a group called the Social-
ist Democratic Union. On the right, former min-
their own political party.
has announced
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fir' %D L: k_.1RI` I
Prime Minister Karamanlis is apparently
having problems getting his New Democracy
Party off the ground. He is trying to attract new
personalities, particularly liberals and uncom-
mitted youth. To do this, he will have to drop
from his candidates list at least 50 former key
party supporters of his old National Radical
Union.
Acting Cypriot President Clerides' threat to
resign reportedly reflects his concern that Athens'
ambiguous position toward him--along with
Makarios' machinations and announced intention
to return to the island-had seriously impaired his
ability to negotiate with the Turkish Cypriots.
Moreover, he felt that the situation was making it
increasingly difficult for him to govern the Greek
Cypriot community, which is divided along pro-
and anti-Makarios lines. Clerides' move was appar-
ently prompted by the acceleration of the cam-
paign to bring back Makarios, which is led mainly
by leftist forces but is also favored by other
groups. Makarios supporters staged a mass rally in
Limassol on September 29.
Clerides' well-orchestrated threat to resign
seemed to be designed to force a clarification of
his position and to recoup his waning su port. If
so, it certainly worked
Should Clerides succeed in securing pledges
of support from a substantial segment of the
Greek Cypriot factions, along with a stronger
public statement of support from the Arch-
bishop--he apparently considers Makarios' initial
statement inadequate-he would probably con-
sent to remain in his position.
Despite his misgivings, Clerides continued his
discussions with Turkish Cypriot leader Denktash
on September 30. The two agreed to resume the
exchange of prisoners, which was suspended last
week because of a delay in the return to Cyprus
of Greeks held prisoner in Turkey. Moreover, the
Turks had been reluctant to free the increasing
number of Greek Cypriot prisoners who wanted
to return to their villages in the Turkish-occupied
sector of the island. The two men reaffirmed in
their talks that prisoners would be released where
they wished. Arrangements were also made for
the return of Greek Cypriots held in Turkey. At
Clerides' request, however, a date for another
meeting was not set, apparently because Clerides
was considering resigning.
Prime Minister Ecevit of Turkey was the
political leader who benefited most from the
fighting on Cyprus, but he seems to have over-
played his hand in resigning and trying to force
new elections. Because Ecevit's party is the only
one that stands to gain considerably from early
elections, the other parties have balked at giving
him the necessary support in parliament on this
issue.
The Democratic Party refused to join a coali-
tion with Ecevit's Republican People's Party be-
cause the offer was conditioned on an agreement
to hold elections before the end of the year.
Ecevit then offered to defer the elections until
next spring, but he was again rebuffed by the
Democrats. As a result, President Koruturk
turned to Justice Party leader Demirel to try to
form a new government.
Demirel will attempt to form a right-of-
center coalition that will include the Democrats
and Ecevit's former coalition partner, the Na-
tional Salvation Party. Such a coalition will be
extremely difficult to put together, however, in
view of the deep personal animosities between
Demirel and the Democratic Party leaders. The
Democratic Party was formed in 1970 by dis-
sident Justice Party members whom Demirel had
broken with and had expelled from the party.
Ecevit believes that Demirel will fail to
organize a new government and that the President
will then give him another chance. In this case,
Ecevit hopes that the Democratic Party will be
more amenable to joining him in a coalition since
it will be clear that a rightist coalition cannot be
formed.
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Jt(. Fit I
Arias
SPAIN: RIGHTISTS SPEAKING OUT
Qv(p -
IControversy e Pri l)e Minister Arias'
modest liberalization program is likely to require
Franco's intervention. At the same time, the
moderate governmental image that Arias wants to
project is further threatened by the government's
decision to let a military court try eight Basques
charged with a terrorist bombing in Madrid.
An editorial on September 26 in a prom-
inent ultra-rightist weekly magazine warned Arias
that the kind of democracy he has advocated
could lead to a "field of corpses." The writer
asserted that rightists wanted nothing to do with
Arias' policies and could not cooperate with him
"even in the opposition."
The warning follows an interview with Arias
published on September 11 in which the Prime
Minister stated that he intends to work for
democratization of the regime as he promised last
February. Arias said he hoped that a government
bill on a key provision--establishment of political
associations-would be ready before the end of
the year. Rightists oppose this move because they
fear the associations will become political parties.
Arias denied that rightist resistance was holding
back liberalization moves.
Political observers assumed at the time of
publication that Arias' interview had advance ap-
proval from Franco, who had resumed his duties
as chief of state the week before
Franco has made no move to disassociate himself
from Arias' position. Following the right-wing
attack, moreover, two prominent Madrid dailies
strongly defended the Prime Minister's policy.
Arias is evidently prepared to face rightist disap-
proval of his program, but Franco's attitude
would cause him to reconsider. The noisy
demonstrations by rightists in May 1973 protest-
ing the leniency of the authorities toward ter-
rorist groups may have been a factor in the cab-
inet reshuffle the following month when some
ministers favoring liberalization were dropped.
The government is concerned about security
following the terror-bombing in Madrid on
September 13 in which 11 people were killed and
scores wounded. The bombing was apparently
aimed at killing security police who frequent the
area but hit innocent bystanders instead. The
government's decision to have a military court try
the eight Basques charged with the bombing may
create problems for Madrid, if it turns into a
replay of the trial of 16 Basque terrorists in
Burgos in 1970. That trial created strains among
Spanish moderates and conservatives as to
whether the convicted terrorists should be
granted leniency, as well as considerable foreign
criticism of a military court's trying civilians.
Franco eventually eased the earlier con-
troversy by permitting the death penalty to be
invoked but then commuting the sentences. In
the latest incident, the Spanish press is giving
heavy coverage to the police investigation and to
the quick arrest of the eight suspects. They have
been linked to the Basque Fatherland and Liberty
group better known as ETA, and to the Spanish
Communist Party.
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PORTUGAL: LEFTISTS WIN UPPER HAND
30 - ~5
Leftist forces emerged on to this week in a
power struggle that culminated in the replace-
ment of President Spinola by the armed forces
chief of staff, General Costa Gomes. In an impres-
sive display of strength and cohesiveness, the left
won a clear tactical victory over rightist elements.
Political tensions remain high, however, and pros-
pects for an orderly campaign leading to elec-
tions next March are considerably reduced.
The struggle was initiated on September 28
when the Armed Forces Movement-dominated
by young, left-leaning officers-forced President
Spinola to cancel a political rally that had been
billed as a pro-Spinola demonstration by Portu-
gal's "silent majority."
The movement and virtually all left-of-center
forces regarded the rally as the first step by the
political right to regain the upper hand. For
several months, Spinola had been engaged in a
contest for power with the Armed Forces Move-
ment, though their differences were seldom made
public. It was clear, however, that the movement
was impatient with Spinola's generally moderate
approach to domestic problems and with the
gradual pace of decolonization that he advocated.
The final break between Spinola and the left
came after a truce was announced on September
29. Young officers in the Armed Forces Move-
ment then proceeded to press for the resignations
of three conservative supporters of Spinola on the
Junta of National Salvation, the seven-man mili-
tary ruling body over which the President pre-
sides. After yielding to the ouster of his sup-
porters, the President was more isolated than over
and was compelled to resign. In his resignation
speech, he bitterly denounced "the emergence of
a generalized climate of anarchy."
With Spinola gone, the locus of power in
Portugal now lies with the Armed Forces Move-
ment, although it probably represents only a
small percentage of the officer corps. The exact
composition of the movement is uncertain, but it
appears to include some Communists. In any case,
the events of the weekend reflected a close coor-
dination between the movement and the Portu-
guese Communist Party. Between them, their con-
trol of the situation was so complete that for all
practical purposes the country was, and is, in
their hands. The movement's decisions will be
implemented by an administration headed by
Prime Minister Goncalves.
The new president, General Costa Gomes, is
a long-time ally of Spinola and is of the same
ideological cast, but he is more patient about
opposing points of view and more amenable to
compromise. The presidency may be shorn of
many of its powers, however, and the occupant of
the office is in danger of becoming a figurehead.
There is some doubt that Costa Gomes can keep
the upper hand.
With power now almost exclusively in the
hands of the left, both the armed forces and the
government are taking pains to disprove Spinola's
assertion that Portugal is heading toward anarchy.
The rightists are lying low for the present, handi-
capped by a lack of organization.
To assuage the concerns of the US, President
Costa Gomes has reaffirmed Portugal's NATO
ties, its wish for close relations with the US, and
its desire for closer association between Portugal
and the EC. Prospects for Portugal's continuing
close relations with the US may be less promising,
however, if Prime Minister Goncalves and the
movement achieve unchallenged power.
Portugal's future political orientation
depends in large part on the armed forces.
Whether the armed forces swing behind one side
or develop conflicting loyalties will be a critical
factor in deciding if there will be a relatively
orderly implementation of decolonization and
democracy, a predominantly rightist or leftist
regime, or civil war.
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EUROCURRENCY RE YCLING MAY DECLINE
5- a J _5-J
The Eurocurrenc market has so far been
the dominant vehicle for recycling surplus oil
revenues, but this may soon change. Several fac-
tors are working to induce oil producers in-
creasingly to bypass the Eurocurrency market
either in favor of New York or of more direct
loans to other major oil-consuming countries.
The pressures on the Eurocurrency iarket
are already reflected in the fact that the oil ex-
porters are paid less than market rates for their
short-term deposits and that the borrowing coun-
tries have had to pay increasingly higher rates for
loans. These forces should intensify in the next
few months because oil producers will have more
funds to place, as their net foreign exchange
receipts in the second half of 1974 will be nearly
double those of the first half. Moreover, many
borrowers are reaching the limits of their credit
lines and will be forced to pay even higher rates
or not be given credit at all.
The increasing problem of matching the
supply of oil producers' funds with oil consumers'
demands for loans will force both sides to seek
new places to recycle oil mone.
Borrowers, such as
Italy, have had to bypass London recently be-
cause they do not meet the necessary credit
standards.
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*40/ %JLVI iL I V
7 Sk)
Italian political leaders kept ublic7debate
on the back burner while President Leone was in
the US last week on a state visit.
the smallest of the three parties in his
cabinet--the Social Democrats-threatened to
withdraw from the coalition over differences with
the Socialist Party.
Social Democratic leader Mario Tanassi
charged that Socialist insistence on changes in the
government's austerity program, together with
their proposals for closer relations with the Com-
munists, had made it impossible for the coalition
parties to continue to cooperate effectively.
Tanassi said that the only solution was for Presi-
dent Leone to call new elections since parlia-
mentary arithmetic does not now permit a work-
able non-Communist majority without the
Socialists.
The Social Democrats said they would
decide at a central committee meeting on October
8 whether to follow through with their threat.
There were signs, however, that the Social Demo-
crats would be overtaken by events. The Socialists
responded harshly to Tanassi's blast
Even if the Social Democrats do bring down
the government, they are unlikely to persuade
President Leone to call new parliamentary elec-
tions. Sentiment is running against this alter-
native, not only because it failed to solve any
problems when last tried in 1972, but also be-
cause the Socialists and Communists stand the
best chance of scoring gains if elections are held
now. Most political leaders would prefer to study
the outcome of the regional elections set for this
spring before risking a national contest.
The main reason why the Socialists have
drawn so much fire from the other coalition
parties is their own threat to drop out of the
coalition unless it approves the Socialist-proposed
changes in the government's economic program.
The Socialists--backed by their allies in organized
labor-want additional spending on social pro- 25X1
grams and public works, more credit for small-
and medium-sized businesses, and other measures
to avoid the increased unemployment that is
expected to develop as the austerity program
takes hold.
The Socialists can also be expected to lobby
within the coalition for several other demands
recently advanced by the labor federation that
represents most of Italy's major unions. These
include:
? Increases in wage adjustments that are
automatically linked to price increases.
? Retroactive application of the increases
in price-related wage adjustments that would
provide a small lump sum payment to each
worker.
? Linkage of some pension payments to
wage developments.
? Additional public investment in the
south and in the construction industry.
? Rollbacks of recent increases in elec-
tricity and urban transportation rates.
Implementation of many of the steps pro-
posed by the Socialists and labor would scuttle
the government's austerity program and doom
prospects for a permanent improvement in the
balance of payments. The wage proposals alone
would add over $1 billion to the country's annual
wage bill, reducing by at least a fifth the income
the government had hoped to drain from house-
holds through its fiscal measures.
While tension increases within the governing
coalition, the Italian Communists are keeping up
the pressure for a direct voice in national deci-
sion-making. Negotiations on labor's demands
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may provide another opportunity for the Com-
munists to reinforce their claim that the country's
problems cannot be solved without Communist
assistance. The Communists exert strong influ-
ence within the labor movement, and they will
take much of the credit if talks among labor,
management, and government officials produce a
settlement acceptable to all sides.
At the same time, the Communists are trying
to draw the Christian Democrats into collabora-
tion at the local government level. In their boldest
move so far, the Communist mayor of Bologna--
the political capital of the Communists' so-called
"Red Belt" in north-central Italy-invited the
Christian Democrats to join his administration
and suggested that they reciprocate in localities
where Christian Democrats hold the balance of
power.
HUNGARY-USSR: A VOTE Jar's CONFIDENCE
VHun arian
g party -moss Ka six-day visit to
the USSR ended with strong indications that he
had bought Moscow's endorsement at the cost of
greater orthodoxy and closer coordination of
Hungarian policies with the Kremlin.
Throughout the visit, Soviet and Hungarian
media--especially the latter-stressed the close
relationship between Kadar and Brezhnev. The
effusive Soviet endorsements leave little room for
any domestic forces to challenge Kadar on the
grounds that Moscow lacks confidence in him.
The price for this reaffirmation of Brezh-
nev's support appears to have been high. Kadar, in
signing the party and state communique, com-
mitted Budapest to deeper involvement in eco-
nomic integration, more joint economic planning,
and increased ''joint work" on ideological
matters. There is also to be more extensive coor-
dination of foreign policies, both bilaterally and
within the Warsaw Pact. In addition, Brezhnev
made it plain in several speeches that he expects
to have more influence than in the past in prep-
arations for the Hungarians' 11th party congress
next spring.
Kadar's public statements were almost com-
pletely void of reference to Hungary's special
interests. Instead, he drummed constantly on the
themes of increasing cooperation with Moscow
and the dangers of "deviationists" in the Commu-
nist movement. Kadar also took the lead in ad-
vancing yet another call for a consultative meet-
ing of European Communist parties, now set for
October 16-18 in Warsaw.
Kadar will certainly try to see to it that his
regime fulfills whatever commitments he made.
Subservience to Moscow's foreign policy is old
hat in Budapest. He will, however, face severe
difficulties if the Soviets decide to take a direct
hand in such delicate matters as Hungarian eco-
nomic problems or try to meddle in the sophisti-
cated give-and-take that Kadar maintains with
Hungarian intellectuals.
The Hungarian delegation-minus Kadar and
his wife, who stayed on in Moscow for a vaca-
tion-returned home to a full turnout of the lead-
ership. Such public displays of unity may become
commonplace, but the behind-the-scene struggles
will continue between liberals, who are now at
bay, and conservatives, who still look to the party
congress as a good opportunity to undermine
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USSR - EASTERN EUROPE: GRAN PROSPECTS
cThe USSR and Eastern Europe are expected
to have good but not record grain crops this year.
The harvest in both areas should largely cover
domestic needs, so major imports from the West
will not be necessary.
USSR-The 1974 Soviet grain crop will probably
be about 198 million tons-short of the official
goal of 206 million tons but still the second
largest grain crop in Soviet history. At the end of
June, it appeared likely that the goal would be
achieved, but the weather took a turn for the
worse in July. In the west, heavy rains flattened
the plants and hindered the harvest, while hot and
dry weather destroyed some 8 million tons of
grain-primarily wheat.
The USSR will need 200 to 210 million tons
of grain to cover domestic requirements and
normal export commitments in fiscal 1975. Since
20 to 30 million tons, were carried over from the
record harvest of last year, a crop of 198 million
tons should be sufficient to make large-scale grain
imports unnecessary. The sharp drop in grain
purchases and a return to the normal level of
Drying wheat near Krasnodar, USSR
grain exports will re-establish the Soviets as net
exporters of grain.
So far this year, the Soviets have bought
only small quantities of grain. Most of the 1
million tons of corn and wheat scheduled for
delivery in fiscal 1975 are leftovers from old
contracts with the US. A small amount of corn
was recently purchased from Argentina. The
Soviets can use the imports to offset shortages in
certain kinds of grain. The corn will help feed the
growing livestock herds, while the imported
wheat may be used for bread if the milling quality
Estimate
1972
1973
1974
USSR
168.0
222.5
198.0
Eastern Europe
73.2
73.4
71.1
Northern countries"
37.6
40.2
39.2
Southern countries**
35.6
33.2
31.9
*Czechoslovakia, Bast Germany and Poland
"Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania
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of both the wheat crop this year and the grain in
storage is poor.
Eastern Europe-The 1974 East European
grain crop will probably amount to 71 million
tons--2.5 million tons below the record set last
year. Although record crops were harvested in
East Germany and Czechoslovakia, Poland's
crop-normally about 30 percent of the East
European total---flirted with disaster throughout
the growing season. Nevertheless, Poland still
managed to harvest about 20.5 million tons of
grain, only 6 percent below the record set last
year. Crop results were also mixed in the southern
countries. Hungary had a bumper harvest, but
Bulgaria failed to improve over the past two
years, and Romania had its second poor harvest in
a row.
Last European grain imports in fiscal 1975
will probably reach 9 million tons, a million more
than the previous year. The USSR will probably
supply 4.5 million tons, mostly wheat. Based on
past trading patterns, the East Europeans will
look to the US for 2 to 2.5 million tons of grain,
mostly corn, while seeking the balance from other
Western sources.
The northern countries will account for
almost all of the imports. East German and Czech
requirements are likely to be about 3.5 and 1.5
million tons, respectively. Poland will probably
buy slightly more than 3 million tons. Each of
these countries could reduce grain imports by
purchasing other feeds, such as oilcake and meal,
or by cutting livestock goals.
Romania has already received $31 million
from the Commodity Credit Corporation to
purchase US grain in fiscal 1975 and asked for
additional credits. Nevertheless, Bucharest will be
able to export some 600,000 tons of grain,
mostly wheat, slightly less than in fiscal 1974.
Bulgaria is likely to export 300,000 tons of
wheat; Hungarian grain exports may go as high as
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v SI LKt I v~
POLISH LEADER VISITS US
LPolish party boss' dward 'Gierek starts a
week-long official visit to the US on October 8
that will mark a high point in postwar US-Polish
relations. He will be the first Communist party
leader to consult with President Ford and the first
Polish leader since World War I Ito pay an official
visit to the US.
Gierek will lead a political and economic
delegation and will bring along a flock of media
representatives. The group will spend two days in
Washington before Gierek addresses the UN Gen-
eral Assembly in New York. He then will make a
short tour of the US, including visits to coal
mines in Pittsburgh and oil refineries in Houston.
Although no major agreements are expected
to be signed, Gierek views the visit as a milestone
in his efforts to expand relations with the West.
He would like to see a sharp expansion of the
bilateral economic, commercial, and scientific
projects initiated when former president Nixon
stopped in Warsaw in 1972 on his return from
Moscow. Gierek recognizes that most Poles have
friendly feelings toward the US. He hopes that
the visit-already the subject of considerable pub-
licity in Poland-will increase his stature at home
and will also enhance Poland's international pres-
tige. One prominent Polish editor recently told a
US diplomat in Warsaw that there would be so
much favorable coverage that the US would look
like "one of our socialist brothers."
While in the US, Gierek will serve not only
as a spokesman for specific Polish interests, but
will also convey his country's stand on inter-
national issues, especially European security. In
doing so, he can be expected to stay close to the
Soviet line. Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko
stopped in Warsaw earlier this week on his way
home from the US and undoubtedly brought
Gierek up to date on Moscow's views on major
East-West issues.
Gierek comes to Washington with a solid
base of achievements in domestic policies and
with his own leadership position unchallenged.
Since becoming party chief, he has worked hard
to improve the country's economic situation. He
has sought to streamline an inefficient economic
bureaucracy and to modernize Polish industry. At
the same time, he has tried to meet rising con-
sumer demands. Wages, pensions, and social
benefits for workers and peasants have risen sig-
nificantly during the last four years. The Polish
economy still faces some potentially serious prob-
lems, including inflationary pressures and the
need to repay Western credits that will soon begin
to fall due. At least in the short run, however, the
Gierek regime seems capable of meeting these
challenges.
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EGYPT: PEACETIME CABINET
-President Sadat l`st1week to , the long-
awa(ted step of relinquishing his wartime post of
prime minister, a move meant as a further af-
firmation of Egypt's intention to proceed with
postwar reconstruction. Sadat formally gave way
to First Deputy Prime Minister Abd al-Aziz
Hijazi, who has been performing the duties of
prime minister for some months.
Hijazi's elevation comes at a time of in-
creasing domestic criticism of economic mis-
management by the government, and the now
Prime Minister moved swiftly to reorganize the
cabinet to signal a new effort to alleviate problem
areas in the economy. Hijazi created two new
cabinet posts, both concerned with economic
planning, and replaced four ministers whose per-
formance had recently come under fire. The other
31 cabinet members are holdovers.
The new post of minister of state for eco-
nomic cooperation gives cabinet rank to the
former Agency for Arab and International Eco-
nomic Cooperation, which was created earlier this
year to coordinate foreign investment in Egypt.
Another new minister of state, handling "coordi-
nation and control," will apparently attempt to
centralize and streamline the implementation of
economic planning now wallowing in a welter of
overlapping and uncoordinated government
organizations.
Hijazi named new men to head the ministries
of health, agriculture, industry, and supply, in an
apparent effort to speed economic development
or at least to acknowledge consumer complaints
in these areas. Industrial revitalization is a key
element of the government's plan, as is an im-
provement in the clogged internal distribution
system. The recent rise in consumer discontent
over commodity shortages has been attributable
in large measure to the inadequacy of the dis-
tribution system.
Hijazi and Sadat have been attempting to cut
through the red tape that has long slowed the
working of the government. The overstaffed
bureaucracy is as prominent and immovable a
Hijazi
feature of the Egyptian scene as the pyramids,
and neither Sadat.nor his ministers have been able
to vitalize the system or overcome its vested resis-
tance to streamlining and liberalizing the
economy.
Sadat reaffirmed his commitment to eco-
nomic changes in his Nasir Day address last week-
end to a joint session of the Egyptian parliament
and the Arab Socialist Union-Egypt's only polit-
ical party. In a bow to the government's de-
tractors, he acknowledged the right of party
members to criticize the actions of government
officials, including himself. Sadat made it clear,
however, that he was determined to remain in
charge and that the scope for criticism was
limited.
Sadat's speech also included an effusive
reference to the Palestine Liberation Organization
as the "living embodiment" of the Palestine
people. He stressed that a solution to the
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- JCI.I'iC I -
Palestinian question is more important than either
the recovery of the Sinai or the Golan Heights.
In addition, replying for the first time in
public to the new US criticism of the oil pro-
ducers, Sadat said that "those who invented the
law of supply and demand have no right to com-
plain when the law works against their interest."
Sadat probably calculated that anything less than
a spirited defense of the Arab oil producers on
the price issue would only invite another round of
attacks on him by Arab militants and risk jeop-
ardizing support from the Arab conservatives for
his efforts to spur further movement on peace
NIGERIA: MILITARY TO STAY
tGeneral Gowon QarIked Nigeria's 14th
independence anniversary this week with a speech
in which he reneged on his earlier promise to
restore civilian rule by 1976 and continued the
eight-year-old ban on political activities. His an-
nouncement confirms the resolve of the country's
military leaders to control the pace and direction
of domestic political evolution for as long as they
deem necessary.
Gowon did not rule out an eventual transfer
of power to civilians, but maintained it could
come only when there is no threat to stability and
after a "self-sustaining system" to ensure stability
has been worked out. Gowon's statement in
effect acknowledged that the military has made
little headway in implementing the nine-point
program to prepare Nigeria for civil rule, which he
had announced four years ago. The decision also
reflects the military leaders' concern over the
recent resurfacing of Nigeria's deep-seated tribal
and regional animosities because of controversy
over the provisional results of the census last year.
Intensified infighting among old guard politicians
and their supporters in anticipation of an early
lifting of the ban on politics was another factor.
In an effort to neutralize anticipated criti-
cism ot: the deferral of civilian rule, Gowon said
he would establish representative advisory
councils at both the federal and state levels. He
also claimed progress was being made toward
preparing a new constitution as well as a new
formula for allocating national revenues, and he
promised a stronger effort to combat corruption,
implying thereby the military's continuing
commitment to the nine-point program.
More concrete gestures were reserved for
two of the more important interest groups.
Gowon announced that, early next year, he plans
to replace present cabinet heads and state military
governors with other army and police officers and
some civilians, a move that will open slots for
grumbling middle-grade military officers and
presumably also weed out a few of the officials
tainted with corruption. To restless workers,
Gowon held out the prospect of a general pay
raise at the end of the year.
On two key points, Gowon was notably
vague. He delayed a final decision on what to do
about the controversial census figures----essential
to implementing other parts of the nine-point
program---until the end of the year. He said that
the creation of additional states remained a pri-
ority, but offered no further details on this tick-
lish subject.
The- reaction to the military's backtracking
on civilian rule is likely to be mixed. Some Ni-
gerians will welcome the decision as the best way
to avoid a return to the divisive tribal politics that
led to two coups in 1966 and civil war a year
later. Gowon's announcement will not sit well
with others, notably intellectuals, students, and
former politicians. Over the short term, however,
the army can probably contain any unrest that
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NMOO,
CAMBODIA: BREATHING EASIER
C37 - 10
\Phnom Penh's ensions eased this week as
government employees and military personnel
received the increased pay provided by the eco-
nomic reform package introduced last month. But
relief for the government may be short lived. Pay
envelopes this week were particularly fat because
they contained a lump-sum salary adjustment
retroactive to September 1. By mid-month, con-
sumers will face the impact of sharply increased
prices allowed by the reforms.
Meanwhile, the government has attempted
to forestall any backlash from its recent dissolu-
tion of the teachers' association by announcing
the formation of a new teachers' organization
under government sponsorship. Leftist teachers
are continuing their anti-government activities,
however, and have issued statements scoring the
police raid on their headquarters and the sub-
sequent arrest of two teachers. Student activists
are keeping uncharacteristically quiet, but they
presumably are still planning anti-government
demonstrations.
Although preparations for the credentials
battle at the UN General Assembly are still top
priority on the diplomatic front, Phnom Penh and
its international backers are marshaling forces for
an anticipated challenge at the 18th UNESCO
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General Conference scheduled to open in Paris on
October 17. A defeat for Phnom Penh at the
conference could produce a bandwagon effect for
the pro-Sihanouk resolution inscribed on the UN
General Assembly agenda.
tional international support.
Government officials will stake the defense
of their UNESCO seat on the argument that the
question of Khmer representation in such bodies
is basically a political question and should be
dealt with first in the General Assembly. Phnom
Penh used this strategy last year and survived a
credentials challenge by a 12-vote margin, but
since then Sihanouk's side has picked up addi-
jOn October 5, the Thai ational Assembly
votes on the third and final reading of the draft
constitution. It is an essential first step in Thai-
land's effort to create a constitutional govern-
ment, an undertaking triggered by the collapse of
the Thanom military regime last October.
The odds overwhelmingly favor passage of
the draft despite vocal opposition from leftist
groups and student activists. The Thai police are
bracing themselves for the possibility of student-
instigated violence in an attempt to mar the
proceedings. Such opposition, however, is at
strong variance with the mood of the country,
which if anything looks upon the promulgation of
a liberal, democratic constitution as a means of
solving Thailand's political, social, and economic
problems.
Bangkok's outward appearance of calm on
the eve of the assembly's vote belies an undercur-
rent of tension that could make for an unstable
political situation. According to press reports,
Prime Minister Sanya, citing his poor health, has
temporarily turned over the duties of his office to
deputy prime minister Prakop. While the 67-year-
old professor's health is indeed shaky, there is
evidence that the timing of his decision to take
leave from office was prompted more by political
considerations. During the past week Sanya has
been buffeted by strong criticism from all quar-
ters, including his own cabinet, for his inability to
get tough with student radicals who have man-
aged to keep the political situation stirred up.
The prospect of student demonstrations dur-
ing the assembly deliberations on October 5 could
also complicate the political situation. While
moderate university students have decided not to
stage violent protests against the draft constitu-
tion, their more militant leadership is attempting
to get enough students into the streets to spark a
confrontation with the police. While it seems
doubtful that the militants will attract much stu-
dent support-two key university groups have an-
nounced they will refrain from any protests at
this time-the fact that the police and army seem
to be looking for the slightest excuse to crack
down on student demonstrators raises the poten-
tial for trouble.
Whether or not the students go on the
rampage, the erosion of Sanya's popularity in
recent weeks suggests that he may continue to
stay on the sidelines until the draft constitution is
promulgated, possibly on October 8. At that
time, he may choose to resign citing the comple-
tion of the task set before him when he took
office one year ago-the drafting of a new con-
stitution-and turn over his responsibilities for-
mally to his deputy Prakop. Since general elec-
tions are scheduled for February 1, it is presum-
ably a solution that would be acceptable to most
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.r; .~~~..- . w
(Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma is making " King's Council disapproving a cabinet recom-
(crq-)cD.)
a good recovery from the serious heart attack he
suffered in mid-July, but his convalescence
abroad may be extended to the end of this
month. When he finally does return to Laos,
Souvanna will discover that the honeymoon
period that has generally characterized relations
between opposing sides of the coalition during his
illness is all but over. Stresses and strains between
the Communist and non-Communist camps have
re-emerged in recent weeks over a variety of polit-
Communist Deputy Prime Minister Phoumi
Vongvichit's speech last week before the UN Gen-
eral Assembly outraged non-Communist members
of the coalition cabinet. In his speech, which
departed from a more moderate version that had
been approved by the cabinet, Phoumi deplored
"imperialist aggression, colonialism, and neo-
colonialism" everywhere and engaged in polemics
on Cambodia and South Vietnam. Phoumi
claimed that he cleared his speech with Souvanna
during a stopover in France en route to New
York, but this has not mollified the non-
Communists.
Another confrontation appears to be shaping
up between the coalition's Joint National Political
Council and the cabinet over Lao Communist
leader Prince Souphanouvong's proposed 18-point
national political program.
mendation for dissolution of the dormant
National Assembly. They are now planning a
move that is certain to draw heavy fire from
Communist members of the coalition, who have
never recognized the assembly's legitimacy and
who have spearheaded the drive for its abolition.
The assembly's standing committee has decided
to send a delegation of deputies to the Inter-
national Parliamentary Union conference that
convenes this week in Tokyo. The delegation
reportedly has been instructed to introduce
several resolutions on Indochina that are anath-
ema to Lao as well as Vietnamese Communists.
Non-Communist politicians have also at-
tempted to throw a monkey wrench into portions
of the economic assistance agreement that Com-
munist Economics Minister Soth Phetrasy re-
cently negotiated with Hanoi. They have taken
advantage of the absence from Laos of several key
Communist cabinet officials to block formal
cabinet ratification of the agreement until these
officials, as well as convalescing Prime Minister
Souvanna, return home. This maneuver by the
non-Communists will almost certainly antagonize
the Pathet Lao, who have high hopes for the
success of the coalition's first aid-seeking mission
to Asian Communist countries, and who are
particularly anxious not to offend their North
Vietnamese patrons.
Non-Communists' reservations about the aid
package are well founded. The non-Communists
are particularly concerned that Hanoi's will-
ingness to reconstruct the Route 7 roadnet in
northern Laos may be intended to legitimize
North Vietnam's continuing military presence
there for an indefinite period. They are also
apprehensive that North Vietnamese construction
crews will attempt to plunder Lao natural re-
sources, such as timber and mineral ore. The
non-Communists are insisting that the coalition
form a special joint commission to monitor and
regulate the construction activities of the North
For their part, the non-Communists have
been encouraged by the recent decision of the
Vietnamese "engineers."
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VLVI lL I
CHINA-PHILIPPINES: I PROVING ELATIONS
C3 -- ie(.)
The extraordinary reception accorded to
Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos during her
September 20-29 visit to China appears to have
set the stage for improved relations between the
two countries. Mrs. Marcos was favored with
separate meetings with Chairman Mao Tse-tung
and with hospitalized Premier Chou En-lai. Ex-
cluding earlier sessions with US officials, Mao's
meeting with Mrs. Marcos marks the only time in
recent years that the Chairman has seen an emis-
sary of a government with which Peking has no
official ties.
By their extraordinary treatment of Mrs.
Marcos, the Chinese have shown that they will
keep the pressure on for early diplomatic rela-
tions. Manila has apparently already begun ex-
ploring some of the issues that could come up
during such negotiations. For example, the Philip-
pines sent a representative to Taipei earlier this
year to advise the Nationalists that Manila was
considering ways of improving its relations with
Peking. Manila undoubtedly will seek to deter-
mine the status of Malaysia's relations with Tai-
wan following its recognition of Peking earlier in
the year.
There were signs, however, that President
Marcos, despite his own statements that eventual
diplomatic recognition was inevitable, was not
fully pleased with press speculation that Mrs.
Marcos' trip implied immediate recognition of
Pekin
The joint trade
agreement announced during Mrs. Marcos' visit
reportedly provides for the sale of an unspecified
amount of Chinese petroleum to the Philippines.
Manila agreed to sell sugar, wood products, and
other items to the Chinese. Details of the agree-
ment are to be worked out when a Philippine
trade delegation visits China later this year.
Although Peking clearly would like to see
early recognition, Manila's close relationship with
Taiwan is only one of the problems that the
Philippines must deal with first. The overseas Chi-
nese community in the Philippines, although
much smaller than in Malaysia, has a great deal of
economic influence and is-at least on the sur-
face-largely pro-Taipei. In addition, the Philip-
pines has from time to time publicly accused
Peking of supporting the communist insurgency
in northern Luzon. Also, President Marcos has
often said that he would recognize the Soviet
Union and China simultaneously, and there has
been little progress in Soviet-Philippines relations
in recent months.
None of these issues, however, presents in-
surmountable problems in Manila. Marcos sig-
naled how he will probably deal with one of them
in a speech on September 20 when he said that a
"distinction" must be made between communist
insurgency at home and the Communist govern-
ments that are trying to make a contribution to
"cooperation among nations," an apparent at-
tempt to play down Manila's charge that China
was supporting the insurgents. President Marcos
has probably concluded that, despite his inclina-
tion for a measured approach to problems of this
magnitude, the time has come to accelerate the
pace of developing Sino-Philippines relations.
THE KOREAN QUESTION AT THE UN
~o7 -lo-
t gi)
The annual maneuvering at the UN on the
Korean question, for many years one of the most
contentious issues before that forum, is under
way again. With detente increasing over the past
several years, all of the major powers have acted 25X1
with a common interest to preserve stability on
the Korean Peninsula. This year, although events
are not entirely in the hands of the major powers,
the UN's handling of the problem will provide
another measure of how well detente is working.
Pyongyang's backers, consisting of the major
Communist states and a growing number of Third
World nations, have introduced a resolution that
is-compared with earlier years-relatively mild.
Its call for the withdrawal of all foreign troops in
South Korea "under the flag of the United Na-
tions" appears to leave open the possibility that
US forces might remain under some bilateral ar-
rangement. Recent statements from North
Korean President Kim II-sung also suggest that
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Nupe J C I.~ R C I
Pyongyang's major objective this year is to end
the UN role in Korea and that the question of US
troops might be taken up later. The Pyongyang
side probably took much of the harsh invective
out of its latest resolution in an effort to win
broader support, a tactic that appears to be hav-
ing only limited success so far.
The main thrust of a counterproposal-
sponsored by the US, Japan, and other supporters
of Seoul-is a call for a renewal of meaningful
dialogue between North and South Korea. The
proposal maintains that any changes in security
arrangements affecting the peninsula must be de-
cided by the Security Council, which originally
committed the UN to a role in Korea, and the
two Korean sides. This would have the effect of
removing the question from the General Assem-
bly, where pro-Pyongyang forces have consid-
erable strength.
Acrimonious debate and a vote on a more
strongly worded resolution attacking the US and
UN roles in South Korea was averted last year
after intensive behind-the-scenes negotiations in-
volving the major powers. A compromise was
achieved under which Pyongyang's backers
dropped their demands that US forces withdraw
and Seoul's supporters dropped their proposal
that both Koreas join the UN; Seoul had pressed
for the two-Koreas concept, but Pyongyang
strongly opposed it. Additionally, the UN politi-
cal apparatus in Korea was quietly phased out and
the assembly adopted a consensus urging Seoul
and Pyongyang to resume the halting dialogue
that seemed so promising in 1971-72.
Even if a hostile resolution recommending
the withdrawal of foreign troops from South
Korea were passed this year, US forces would be
under no legal injunction to withdraw. The dam-
age would be political and psychological. But
unless Pyongyang's Third World backers gain un-
expected momentum, this seems unlikely to
happen. While sharp debate in the General Assem-
bly in November and the passage of a hostile
Korean resolution cannot be ruled out, it appears
now that the pro-Seoul resolution has a better
chance of success and, even more likely, that
another compromise will be worked out.
The Chinese are concerned-as they were last
year-that a divisive UN debate on the Korean
question would not be to their advantage. Peking
appears to be wary of any formula that might
lead to a confrontation between the two Koreas
or that could create a military vacuum in South
Korea that could be filled by the Soviet Union or
a rearmed Japan. Although Peking has maintained
its firm public support of the North Korean posi-
tion at the UN, there are indications that China's
chief objective is to assure continued stability on
the Korean Peninsula.
The Chinese propaganda position is influ-
enced both by the need to show "principled sup-
port" for its allies and by a desire to deny the
Soviets the opportunity to pose as Pyongyang's
only reliable supporter.
Chinese UN Ambassador Huang Hua's
speech at the UN on September 19 reflects these
concerns. Huang said it was "imperative'' that US
"interference" be ended and that US troops
''under the UN flag" withdraw. As with previous
official statements on the question, Huang's re-
marks display Chinese support and sympathy for
Pyongyang's position while clearly emphasizing
termination of the UN role, rather than complete
and rapid US military withdrawal.
The Soviets would probably also be satisfied
with a compromise solution. They have given
unenthusiastic backing to Pyongyang's cause in
the current General Assembly session and have
not appeared anxious to press North Korea's case
against US troops in the South lest this introduce
another thorny question into the Washington-
Moscow dialogue.
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CASTRO SPEAKS ON FOREIGN POLICY
C ~ G
/With ~natCods/~ads and Pell and a large US
press delegation in Havana at the time, Fidel
Castro delivered one of his most comprehensive
foreign policy addresses in over a year at a rally
on September 28. Speaking from what appeared
to be a carefully prepared text, Castro was
broadly critical of the US, but he refrained from
the sweeping denunciations and personal attacks
on US leaders that were common in his speeches
until a year or so ago. His principal focus was on
Latin America, and once again he called for the
creation of a new regional organization-without
US participation-to replace the OAS.
Castro strongly criticized covert US efforts
in support of Chilean groups that opposed former
president Allende. He denounced this "blatant
interference in Chile's domestic affairs" as the
latest on the "long list of acts of aggression'' by
the US against Latin America. He did not accuse
the US of complicity in the Chilean coup, how-
ever, merely stating that "the CIA clearly played
a decisive role in the creation of the conditions
and preparation of the groundwork" that led to
it. Though many Latin American leftists have
loudly accused the US of engineering the coup,
Castro has adhered to his own interpretation of
events since September 1973 when he first dis-
cussed Allende's fall.
Castro reserved his strongest criticism for the
OAS. Indignantly, he denounced that body for
ignoring US "intervention" in the hemisphere
while upholding for ten years the economic and
political sanctions that were imposed on his gov-
ernment because it had engaged in subversion.
Mindful that OAS members are scheduled to vote
on the continuation of the sanctions next month
in Ecuador, he endeavored to portray his regime
as the aggrieved victim of aggression and to place
the US on the docket instead. Without naming
them, Castro condemned that minority of Latin
American governments that he considers "ac-
complices" of "US aggression," seeming to blame
them more than the US for perpetuating inter-
American problems and divisions. Once again, he
implicitly ruled out the possibility that Cuba
would rejoin the OAS or restore ties with certain
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F/'
governments, even though he probably is confi-
dent that the sanctions will soon be lifted and
that a number of countries will seek to renew
relations with Cuba.
Castro spoke at length about international
energy issues. He supported Venezuela and
Ecuador--the two Latin American members of
OPEC-and criticized recent US policy statements
on the pricing of petroleum. He blamed the US
for aggravating inflation and monetary problems
around the world, and proclaimed the right of
less-developed countries to form cartels. He bal-
anced these remarks, however, with a plea to
oil-producing countries to "adopt the struggle of
the underdeveloped world.." His effusive praise of
the government of Venezuela and its nationalistic
resources policies probably reflects his hopes of
gaining access to Venezuelan oil, credits, and in-
vestments once relations are restored. He men-
tioned the USSR only once.
Throughout the 50-minute speech, Castro
eschewed the strident language and emotional
tone that characterized many of his foreign policy
addresses in previous years. His critiques of CIA
activities in Chile and of US energy policy were
no stronger than those by numerous other Latin
American leaders. The Cuban Premier restated his
willingness to begin discussions on normalizing
relations with the US once the "economic block-
ade" is lifted.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: THE KIDNAPING
Terrorists who k'ddn'aped al US embassy offi-
cial on September 27 in Santo Domingo un-
expectedly ran into a stone wall in trying to
exchange her and several other hostages for a
$1-million ransom, the release of 37 political
prisoners, and safe conduct out of the country.
President Balaguer gave in to terrorist de-
mands in 1970 when kidnapers grabbed a US
military attache and went into hiding. They won
the release of 40 political prisoners in exchange
for the attache's life. This time, however, Bala-
guer is in a stronger position, since the terrorists'
decision to hole up in the Venezuelan consulate
allowed Dominican security forces to surround
the building. Balaguer offered the six terrorists
only their lives in return for the hostages' free-
dom. Convinced that he was not negotiating with
a suicide squad, Balaguer gambled that no harm
would come to the hostages and that he would
win out in the end.
At first, Balaguer allowed food and drink to
be delivered regularly to the consulate but after a
week of waiting, his patience appeared to be
wearing thin and he moved to hasten an end to
the kidnaping by restricting deliveries.
Meanwhile, the terrorists suffered an addi-
tional setback on the political front when leftists,
from moderates to extremists, publicly dis-
sociated themselves from the kidnaping
To repudiate the kid-
naping, the moderates urged their members who
were in jail not to accept freedom should the
government give in to the terrorists. Eleven well-
known prisoners later turned their backs on any,
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VENEZUELA: RIDING THE CREST
11'7
~fter six monthscslpresident, arlos Andres
Perez remains the unchallenged master of the
local political scene and is emerging as a hemi-
sphere and world figure.
Swept into office with a massive popular
vote and with his Democratic Action Party in
control of both houses of congress, Perez im-
mediately began to reshape the country's econ-
omy. Through tactical skill and manipulation of
public opinion, Perez obtained from congress
extraordinary powers to rule by decree, for one
year beginning last May, with respect to almost all
important economic and financial matters.
Since then, Perez has concentrated on im-
plementing his economic policies and generating
sufficient public understanding and support to
silence conservative business critics who claimed
he was moving too fast and too soon. At the same
time, as a sop to the left, Perez has pressed his
intention to take over the US iron-ore concessions
before the end of the year and to nationalize US
and other foreign petroleum concessions in 1975.
During these months, Venezuela.has emerged as a
financial power to be reckoned with. By the end
of 1974, for example, its oil revenues alone will
total almost $10 billion. Venezuela is now at-
tempting to expand its leadership role in Latin
America by such means as establishing a Vene-
zuelan Investment Fund to channel some of its oil
wealth into overseas projects.
Perez' popularity with the Venezuelan
people has been solidified by his aggressive de-
fense of Venezuela's right to set its own petro-
leum pricing policy regardless of sharp criticism
from the US. Although Perez reportedly hopes
that current differences with the US can be
settled in an amicable fashion and that relations
will continue to be cordial, he is not above
orchestrating public opinion to justify or defend
his administration's present and future petroleum
policy.
At home, Perez' policies have largely suc-
ceeded in nullifying domestic opposition from
left and right. With the economy growing and
money pouring into the national treasury faster
than it can be spent, the politically negligible
right is more concerned with conserving and even
increasing its stake in the economy. The largest
opposition political organization in the country,
the Social Christian Party of former president
Caldera, is still in shock from its disastrous elec-
tion defeat last December, although attempting
slowly and painfully to pull itself together. It is
attacking Perez and his party for the govern-
ment's handling of the economy, especially the
rising cost of living and an inflationary rate that
this year may exceed 15-20 percent. The buoyant
economy and such populist measures as a work
stability law, across-the-board wage increases, and
price freezes have muted the effectiveness of
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much of this criticism by the Social Christian and
other political parties.
The Venezuelan military, the traditional
locus of political power, seems generally content
with Perez, although there is some unhappiness
with his reported failure to keep politics out of
promotion and assignment policies. In any event,
Perez has moved rapidly since his inauguration to
edge out holdovers from the previous administra-
tion and to ensure that major commands are
staffed by men personally loyal to him.
While Perez' power and popularity remain
very high, there are several political and economic
problems that could cause trouble in the coming
months if they are not soon remedied. Among
these is the great popular expectation that his
economic policies have caused. If his administra-
tion is unable to deliver on its promises, Perez will
surely face a serious ebbing of popular support.
There is also an increasing demand that the gov-
ernment spend more of its oil revenues on
domestic projects, a move that would only fuel
the inflationary spiral that the government is at-
tempting to curb.
Notwithstanding the fact that Perez is riding
high, and his party is sharing in the reflected
glory, there is evidence of some dissension and
unhappiness within the Democratic Action Party
over Perez' style of governing. Many of the party
regulars feel ignored, shunted aside, and disdained
by the President and his small clique of advisers.
Attempts to get Perez to remove some of the
more objectionable members of this coterie have
been unavailing and perhaps have even further
isolated Perez from party leaders. Nevertheless,
they are in no position to challenge the President.
Several party leaders already are jockeying for
position for the party's presidential nomination in
1978, and support from Perez will be a valuable
asset. At this time, none of the potential nom-
inees appears willing to sacrifice that advantage
by staging an open revolt against his pol-
BOLIVIA: PRE-ELECTION MANEUVE,fiS
(J 12 --- - ~ , )
President Banzer is equivocating on his deci-
sion not to seek another term. He also appears
intent on obstructing preparations by the opposi-
tion for the national elections he has called for
next year.
In July, following an attempt by junior mili-
tary officers to oust him, Banzer promised to
hold elections in 1975 and appointed a commis-
sion to study electoral reforms. Although the
commission has done nothing noteworthy thus
far, pressure from political and military leaders
has induced Banzer to move the election date
forward from October to June.
Initially, Banzer had said that he would not
be a candidate, but last week, when the leader of
a peasant group pledged his support, Banzer an-
nounced that he had changed his mind. The Presi-
dent's announcement, which came after all major
political leaders had expressed their wish to see
Banzer leave office, sparked public objections and
reportedly antagonized a group of military of-
ficers led by the retired army chief of staff Gen-
eral Eladio Sanchez. The President has since
thrown Sanchez out of the country, claiming that
he was preparing to overthrow the government.
Banzer is also trying to keep Bolivia's major
political party, the National Revolutionary Move-
ment, in a weakened state by ensuring the elec-
tion of Ruben Julio, an undistinguished party
hack- as the movement's chieftain.
Because Banzer has lost most of his former
supporters, it is unlikely that he could obtain the
backing necessary to win another term. If he fails
in his efforts to forestall elections, he may ulti-
mately be forced to step aside in favor of a
military figure who has the approval of most
army leaders.
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