PROJECT TRUTH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R002100120069-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 14, 2008
• Sequence Number: 69
• Publication Date: October 27, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

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 MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable
Richard V. Allen
(Addressees are
listed in alpha- The Honorable
betical order)
William
am J. Casey
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In. International c.wfl.s n"v~-r 6 Director
? Communication
Agency '
United States of America
The Honorable
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
The Honorable.
Caspar W. Weinberger
As part of the continuing PROJECT TRUTH campaign, USICA
has initiated a monthly publication explaining--Soviet
propaganda techniques and themes, designed for U.S.
policymakers and overseas distribution, entitled "Soviet
Propaganda Alert." A copy is attached for your use.
Any further thoughts or recommendations you might have on
PROJECT TRUTH or the attached publication would be most
welcome.
USICA
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PROJECT TRUTH
.sov'ret Propaganda Alert
No. 1 October 15, 1981
Re: Project Truth .
In addition to the efforts underway of a complementary nature,
this is the first in a monthly series of reports on Soviet
external propaganda. The reports will be based on evaluations
of cable reporting, primary source material, and secondary
sources such as Foreign, Broadcast Information Service (FBIS)
publications. Because this report is the first, it contains
more general and introductory material than will be included
in updates.
Presented in this report are:
? o An overview of Soviet propaganda principles and
techniques.
o A list of major political-military propaganda themes
and societal comparisons drawn between the U.S. and
the USSR. Selected regional and country propaganda
themes are also provided.
o A case study of a Soviet propaganda campaign currently
in progress: the anti-neutron weapon (ERW) campaign.
While the focus is on Soviet external propaganda, most of the
themes are echoed in the domestic media. Thus, Soviet citi-
zens do not in general get different messages than do foreign
audiences.
Office of Research
International Communication Agency
Washington, D.C.
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I. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOVIET EXTERNAL PROPAGANDA
A. Soviet External Propaganda*
Soviet external propaganda has two main purposes:
o To represent the Soviet Union as dedicated to peace and
detente, and
o To show the Soviet Union as a just, fair, progressive
society, worthy of admiration if not emulation.
For these purposes, Soviet propagandists follow several basic
principles. The first of-these is a systematic denigration of
the U.S., its culture, political system, and belief structures.
By showing that the U.S.--the acknowledged representative of all
things Western--is a doomed, decadent, inherently evil society
which opposes all progressive change, Soviet propagandists hope
to persuade target audiences that it is not a fit model for their
own countries.
The Soviet Union presents itself as the only alternative to the
U.S. as a system of social organization. It portrays itself as
the near-perfect society. Armed with an ideology that maintains
that the Soviet form of society is the inevitable next step in
human development, Soviet propagandists draw invidious comparisons
between-almost every aspect of American and Soviet life.
Another key feature of Soviet propaganda is the argument that
while the U.S. and the West are doomed in historical terms, the
U.S. is all the more dangerous because it will defend its way of
life to the end, taking the rest of the world with it to destruc-
tion if need be.
By contrast, the Soviet Union arms only to defend itself and its
allies. It does this reluctantly because its main goal is to
perfect the social, cultural, and economic lives of its citizens;
and armaments are a drain on that process.
From these basic principles flow the whole litany of Soviet
propaganda and, for that matter, foreign policy:
o Support for "national liberation" movements is justified
in terms of putting them on the road to the higher plane
of existence enjoyed by the Soviet Union.
o The foreign and domestic policies of Western countries are
criticized because they are dedicated to the preservation
of the status quo and are opposed to progressive change.
* In the Soviet lexicon, the word "propaganda" does-not carry
the negative connotation that it does in the West.
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o Western military measures are portrayed as inherently
aggressive because they are directed against the Soviet
Union and the progressive principles for which it stands.
o Anti-imperialism (anti-Americanism) is claimed to be good
because it represents a movement against the ancien
regime and toward historical progress. The methods used
in the anti-imperialist struggle are sometimes harsh but
are justified by the ends.
o The Soviet Union is the natural ally of Third World
countries and all others who have freed themselves from
imperialism (i.e., Eastern Europe).
B. Soviet Propaganda Techniques
Soviet propagandists employ a vast array of techniques, crude
and sophisticated. As well as simply being very good at what
they do, Soviet propagandists are not restrained by truth,
honesty, and morality; rather, they are guided by a new morality,
defined by Lenin as that which serves the good of the Party.
Their ideology rationalizes the use of falsehood and deception
by promising that the end--the perfect society--justifies all
means and that shrinking from the use of all available means
constitutes betrayal of the cause.
Soviet propagandists use selective information, half-truths,
distortions, and innuendo, as well as outright lies. Many
Soviet propagandists (such as Radio Moscow's Vladimir Pozner)
have an excellent understanding of the American psyche and
take advantage of American feelings about fair play to justify
their own actions or call those of the West into question.
A favorite Soviet propaganda technique is indirection: an item
from a Western or other non-Soviet source is cited in support
of the Soviet position on an issue, the item sometimes having
been planted by the Soviets. Ironically, the Soviets tend
to think sources from the bourgeois West will have the greatest
credibility, even among their own population. An alternative
form of indirection is the inaccurate citation of a foreign
source or the portrayal of the source as broadly representative
of the larger society when it is not (i.e., frequent citations
from the U.S. Communist Party newspaper, Daily Worker).
Disinformation is another technique. It is impossible to tell
how widespread the practice is because good disinformation is
usually not detected. One form of disinformation is the
"revelation" of false information (such as.a forged U.S. docu-
ment), preferably in a foreign source that cannot be directly
associated with the Soviet Union. Another disinformation
technique is to draw attention to past covert actions by U.S.
intelligence agencies and then to imply that the attempted
assassination of the Pope or the bombings in Iran'are similar
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types of activities. From here it is a short step to the
suggestion that the U.S. could have been involved.
A most effective technique is imp uting false motives to U.S.
policy. The Soviets are quick to exploit any opening offered
by a U.S. action by pointing out adverse consequences or
offensive features to the countries affected. Thus, any U.S.
action which can be interpreted to support Israel is portrayed
as being anti-Arab in nature. U.S. attempts to achieve
"balance" in situations such as the recent South African
incursion into Angola are dismissed as hypocrisy.
Another technique is to debase the meaning of words. Soviet
propaganda has succeeded in appropriating the word "socialist"
as a synonym for the word "communist," and propagandists sel-
dom refer to themselves or their East European allies as
communist countries. In so doing, they acquire at least
semantic legitimacy with groups and countries that consider
themselves to be socialist but not communist. Perhaps the
term most debased is "anti-Soviet": virtually every develop-
ment in the world is seen as either pro- or anti-Soviet and
whatever is not clearly "pro" is immediately labeled "anti."
There is also the example of the application of "national
liberation movement" to groups which seek the violent over-
throw of governments unfriendly or neutral toward the Soviet
Union.
Diversion is a technique used to blunt attacks on.the USSR.
When the USSR is criticized, Soviet propaganda responds
with a barrage of countercharges, trying to turn the accusa-
tion made against the USSR against the accusers themselves.
For example, Western charges of Soviet experimentation with
biological warfare, arising in connection with the Sverdlovsk
anthrax incident, were answered by a Soviet propaganda blitz
on Western development of biological weapons. Soviet propa-
gandists often concoct even the most absurd accusations in
the-belief that even these will help distract attention from
the charges against the USSR.
This is not to say that everything that Soviet propagandists
create is untrue or that Soviets necessarily disbelieve their
own arguments even if they appear to be untrue in Western eyes.
Because their ideology dictates the "correct" interpretation
of most facts, Soviets may often read a vastly different
meaning into a situation or action than would their Western
counterparts. Over the years, Soviet ideologists have
developed an array of philosophical rationalizations that
make all Western actions appear to be threatening or malev-
olent regardless of their objective intent, while all Soviet
actions are laudable, no matter how they might appear to the
outside observer.
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II. CURRENT SOVIET EXTERNAL PROPAGANDA THEMES
This list of current propaganda themes and variations is not
exhaustive. Soviet propagandists adjust quickly to changing
situations, developing variations on general and constant
themes in the Soviet repertoire to suit the needs of the
moment. Thus, a general theme (e.g.: "The U.S. is a threat
to peace") can be refined to apply to an unlimited range of
geographic and situational requirements.
The themes are organized according to their geographic con-
cerns--global, regional, or country-specific--and within
these categories according to whether they involve military-
strategic matters or seek-to contrast the Soviet union with
the United States.
A. Global Themes: Military-Strategic
The aggressiveness of the U.S. as contrasted with the peace-
loving nature of the USSR is one of the dominant themes of
Soviet propaganda. It encompasses many sub-themes, some of
which are discussed below.
i'
According to Soviet propaganda, the U.S. is escalating the
arms race, provoking conflict, and trying to counter every
aspect of Soviet influence in the world in its efforts to
regain,-the military-strategic superiority it once possessed.
Aggressive behavior by the U.S. stems largely from its ina-
bility and/or unwillingness to adjust to the new "correlation
of forces" in the world (the decline of the Western capitalism
and the rise of socialism). U.S. frustration at no longer
being "number one" is expressed in violence, directed primar-
ily at its chief rival, the Soviet Union.
The USSR, on the other hand, has always been and continues to
be dedicated to the struggle for peace. Its military might
is intended only to defend itself and other peoples who want
and deserve help in defending themselves. In recent months, the
so-called Brezhnev "peace offensive" has been cited repeatedly
as testimony to the peace-loving nature of Soviet policy.
While Soviet propaganda always presents U.S. military-strategic
aggressiveness as a real and dangerous threat, it also indicates
that U.S. actions will ultimately prove futile. For as Marxism-
Leninism teaches, the capitalist/imperialist world is doomed,
despite its desperate efforts to survive, and socialism--with
the USSR its leading representative--is the future. Nonetheless,
the forces of socialism cannot wait passively for the collapse
of the capitalist world; they must actively counter its "last
gasps" of harmful activity.
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Sub-Themes
1. The U.S. seeks military superiority over the Soviet Union.
The U.S. has lost the military preeminence in the world it
enjoyed after World War II when only it possessed nuclear
weapons. The U.S. wishes to regain its former position in
order to blackmail the Soviet Union and its allies, to force
its will upon other countries, and to resist forces of change
and progress, especially in the Third World.
2. The U.S. is not seriously interested in arms control
negotiations. The U.S. strives to create an international
atmosphere which is counterproductive to arms talks, it has
failed to respond to any of the sincere Soviet initiatives in
the sphere of arms control, and it has blocked ongoing efforts
such as the MBFR talks. Although the American failure to
ratify SALT II is no longer a major emphasis, it is still regu-
larly referred to in the context of more general criticisms
of U.S. arms control behavior.
3. The U.S. is introducing sinister new weapons such as the
neutron weapon, the Pershing II, the MX, chemical and biologi-
cal weapons. In its drive to regain superiority, the U.S. is
developing and deploying new weapons systems which endanger the
alleged parity that Soviet propagandists maintain now exists
between the two countries. The U.S. is willing to use any
weapon, including chemical and biological devices which most
other countries have outlawed. The U.S. is also developing
the space shuttle mainly for military use and is working on
killer satellites, particle-beam weapons, and laser applications.
4. The U.S. is forcing its allies to accept its weapons and
to increase their own arms expenditures. The U.S. blackmails
its allies into accepting the placement of weapons (e.g.
Pershing II's). Its allies resist because they recognize that
the U.S. is trying to export a future war, that is, to ensure
that it is not fought on U.S. soil. There is a growing split
between the U.S. and its allies.
5. The U.S. seeks to forge an anti-Soviet alliance with such
countries as China, Japan, Pakistan, and Turkey. The U.S.
wants bases for its troops or the right to stockpile military
supplies on the soil of other countries. The U.S. uses econ-
omic aid, military assistance, weapons sales, or simple black-
mail to gain concessions.
6. The U.S. engages in psychological warfare against the Soviet
Union. It spreads untruths about the USSR through its propaganda
activities--especially radio: VOA, RFE, and RL--and foments
anti-Soviet hysteria and war mentality. These activities are
in violation of basic international agreements such as CSCE.
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7. The U.S. wages economic warfare against the USSR. The
U.S. is trying to provoke a costly new round of the arms
race that will strain, exhaust and ultimately destroy the
Soviet economy. It also uses economic weapons such as the
grain embargo to force the Soviet Union to accede to its
will. Soviet propagandists always strongly emphasize that
the Soviet economy will never be ruined by a forced arms
race. Although the Soviet leadership would much prefer to
use Soviet resources for improving the people's living
conditions, the USSR is certainly capable of keeping pace
with U.S. military strength and is determined to do this,
even if sacrifices are necessary in other sectors of the
economy #
8. The U.S. grossly interferes in the internal affairs of
other countries. The U.S.' seeks to manipulate the domestic
political process of other countries, including its allies.
It attempts to guarantee that these countries' domestic and
foreign policies will be subordinate or at least complemen-
tary to its own. The U.S. is willing to use all methods to
this end, including propaganda, blackmail, bribery, and
assassination. In the case of countries that seek to free
themselves of U.S. or colonial domination, the U.S. assists
repressive regimes in putting these movements down or,spon-
sors counterrevolutionary activities which will restore the
status quo.
9. The U.S. faces vast resistance to its aggressive plans.
The world public opposes the aggressive plans of the U.S. and
its allies. Large-scale resistance is seen in almost all
countries. Pacifism and neutralism are growing, especially
in those countries most threatened by U.S. plans. Even within
the U.S., there is a major split between the Government and
the people over defense policy.
10. The U.S. and allies are responsible for international
terrorism. The U.S., Israel and some of the NATO allies are
behind terrorist activity in the world. There is a tradition
of terrorism associated with right-wing extremists in the
West and the U.S. is a violent, unstable. society-which spawns
terrorist activity.
11. The CIA is behind much of the unrest in the world. In
its efforts to carry out its-policies, the U.S. resorts to
all available means. Along with military, economic, and
psychological weapons, the U.S. employs the CIA to subvert
other countries and to bring their policies in line with its
own. It attempts to control other governments through its
agents or to destabilize those countries it.cannot control.
The CIA has unlimited funds and will employ any means to
achieve its ends.
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12. The Soviet Union seeks only peace and detente. Soviet
policy is peace-loving and defensive. The USSR has often
sought to reach agreement with the U.S. and its allies to
reduce tensions, disarm, and engage in peaceful economic and
social intercourse. The Soviet union respects the indepen-
dence and sovereignty of other countries and does not inter-
fere in their internal affairs. The world public recognizes
and appreciates this policy, and regards the Soviet Union as
the greatest force for peace on the planet.
13. The Soviet Union arms only to defend itself and its
allies. The USSR is forced to respond to U.S. and Western
threats by building its own forces. These forces are purely
defensive, but can be used to defend the gains of socialism
and national. liberation movements such as in Afghanistan.
14. The U.S. cannot succeed in gaining military superiority.
The Soviet people are willing to make whatever sacrifices
are necessary to provide adequate defenses. In spite of the
U.S.'s superior resources, it will never be allowed to regain
military superiority.
? B. Global Themes: U.S. and USSR As Competing Social Models
The propaganda themes listed in this section are meant by the
Soviets to show that the U.S. is an unattractive, vicious,
exploitative society which has outlived its time. The Soviet
Union is ortrayed as the society which has found the answers
to the challenges of modern society. While the Soviet Union
is acknowledged to have some problems, these are of a tempo-
rary nature and will fade as the society develops.
The Soviets are especially defensive about social and economic
comparisons with the U.S. and other Western countries. They
react immediately to charges from Western officials which call
into question the quality of life in the Soviet Union or chal-
lenge the idea that the USSR constitutes a model for future
society.
Sub-Themes
1. The U.S. slanders the Soviet.Union. U.S. policy is per-
vasively anti-Soviet. "Bourgeois falsifiers" in the West
carry on a relentless campaign of anti-Soviet slander. They
slur the Soviet way of life, Soviet reality, nationality
relations, foreign policy, economic system, etc. Western
"secret services" and their "mouthpieces" and "voices" are in
the forefront of this campaign of anti-Sovietism.
2. The neocolonialist U.S. and its allies are not friends of
the Third World. The U.S. holds up the American system as
a model for Third World countries but in fact it is not a fit
model. Imitating it means continuing in a mode-.of.colonial-
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style oppression and injustice. The U.S. supports tyrannical
regimes (e.g Chile,.South Africa) if they are pro-West and
anti-Soviet, and it opposes national liberation movements.
It has no genuine concern for the welfare of the Third World
peoples, its main concern is access to resources. American
exploitation of Third World takes many forms--economic, cul-
tural, political. For example, U.S. corporations extract
profit from the Third World while exploiting their resources;
the CIA manipulates foreign regimes by "dirty tricks"; U.S.
museums and private collectors steal Latin American artifacts.
3. The Soviet Union is the natural ally of Third World
countries. Its dedication to the interests of the common
people is manifested in its support of national liberation
movements. The USSR generously extends opportunities to
Third World students to'study in the USSR. It unstintingly
gives economic assistance for peaceful purposes and sends
Soviet technicians and specialists of all kinds to Third
World countries to work jointly with the indigenous population
on construction and other projects.
? 4. The U.S. is an insecure, unstable, inhumane society in a
permanent state of crisis. Its most striking features are:
0 High unemployment (especially among blacks).
o Abject poverty juxtaposed with excessive wealth con-
centrated in the topmost elite.
o Widespread demoralization as well as material depriva-
tion among the poor, the unemployed, and the otherwise
disadvantaged.
o High cost of education, medical care, etc.
(access and quality depend upon ability to pay).
o Rampant crime and antisocial behavior (decadence,
drugs, and pornography).
o Neglect of and lack of respect for the elderly.
o Widespread worker dissatisfaction. (as evidenced by
strikes).
o Political prisoners.-
o Lack of genuine democracy.
Note: While usually less prominent and extensive than propaganda
on international issues, propaganda on U.S. internal affairs is
nonetheless.a staple feature of the Soviet media. Themes are
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longstanding and change little over time, although treatment
and tone vary. Commentary is usually tied to some news event
or development in the U.~. which illustrates negative aspects
of American society. Soviets do not need to make up stories or
"disinformation" although they are not above it. All they must
do is give one-sided coverage of issues, drawing from Western
press articles and data that show American society in an
unfavorable light.
By contrast, Soviet propagandists portray the USSR as having
solved or nearly solved most of its problems. Because econ-
omic rights (jobs, wages, pensions) are considered to be basic
human rights in the Soviet Union, the system is shown to be
more humane and dedicated to the welfare of the masses. Social
relations are based on equality, antisocial behavior is an
aberration, and the people regard the system as fair and just.
5. The U.S. violates fundamental human rights while accusing
others of doing so. The U.S. hypocritically attacks the
Soviet Union for alleged human rights violations, while it is
the U.S. that is violating fundamental human rights. The U.S.
is interested in human rights only as an issue with which to
attack the Soviet Union.
6. Soviets who fall prey to Western propaganda tend to be
unsuccessful and miserable when they emigrate. Soviet emigres
miss their homeland intolerably, regret their decision to
emigrate, and are desperate to return to USSR. Their reasons
for being disenchanted with life in the West tend to be both
economic and "spiritual": difficulty of getting a job commen-
surate with one's education and experience; unsatisfactory
living conditions; feeling out of place in a cold, uncaring,
dog-eat-dog, every-man-for-himself capitalist society.
C. Regional and Country Themes
Many of the global themes previously described appear in Soviet
propaganda directed at or concerning specific regions and
countries. This section sets out the main lines of propaganda
about a few countries and areas.
1. Poland. Soviet propaganda accuses outsiders--especially the
West and particularly the U.S.--of interfering in internal
Polish affairs, stirring up trouble though its radio propaganda
(VOA and RFE), and supporting antisocialist elements. Various
Polish organizations and individuals have been criticized, but
favorite targets are Solidarity, the Committee for the Defense
of the Workers (KOR), and groups which allegedly seek to separ-
ate Poland from the socialist community or restore capitalism.
FRG interference and revanchism is also a recurrent theme.
2. Afghanistan. Major emphasis is on the humanitarian, econ-
omic, and otherwise peaceful aid rendered by the Soviet Union
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to Afghanistan. Outsiders, especially the U.S. together with the
PRC and Pakistan, are charged with interfering in Afghan affairs
and in the Persian Gulf, supporting and encouraging the "bandits"
(insurgents) and generally provoking discord and chaos. The CIA
is accused of being behind "bandit" activity.
3. Iran. The Iranian people are said to have overthrown the
oppressive, U.S.-backed regime of the Shah. The U.S. is still
trying to regain its previous dominance and is behind attempts to
overthrow the revolutionary regime. The U.S. (through the CIA)
is responsible for the rash of assassinations of Iranian leaders.
4. China. China is accused of taking an uncooperative and hostile
stance toward the Soviet Union. It is depicted as conspiring with
the U.S. on military and political adventures which threaten the
USSR and its allies and endanger peace--for example, in Afghanistan.
The point is made, however, that the USSR remains ready to have
normal relations with the PRC.
5. Japan. Japan is ganging up with China and the U.S. against the
Soviet Union. It is making outrageous claims on Soviet territory
(the. disputed Northern Territories).
6. Cuba. Cuba and the USSR are loyal allies. Cuba is the bastion
of progressivism. and freedom in Latin America. Latin*Americans
elsewhere seek to follow its example, but are often discouraged or
prevented from this by the U.S. (through the CIA) together with
its allies.. Since Castro took power, the U.S. "special services"
have been plotting and conniving against him. The U.S. constantly
threatens and provokes Cuba.
7. El Salvador. The U.S. is propping up an oppressive, unpopular
regime. It has promoted falsehoods about the situation there,
bolstered with forged and falsified (by the CIA) documents. The
U.S. has made false claims about Soviet clandestine involvement in
El Salvador in order to distract attention from its own activities.
8. South Africa. South Africa is a racist renegade state which
suppresses its national liberation movement with the support if
not the assistance of the U.S. Its recent attack on Angola is
evidence of its lawless, aggressive nature, and the UN veto is
evidence of U.S. support.
9. Middle East. The main propaganda target is Israel, which is
depicted as the prime military and political threat in the region.
Zionism is condemned as a pernicious. force and is equated with
anti-imperialism. Egypt is another favorite target of Soviet
propaganda, with personal attacks often made on President Sadat.
The U.S. is criticized for efforts to reach.a "separate deal"
with Israel and Egypt which is doomed to fail. The U.S. is also
charged with general aggressiveness in this area. This is con-
trasted to the "peace, friendship and cooperation" offered by
Soviet Middle East policy. Steadfast Soviet support for the PLO's
cause is reiterated.
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10. Western Europe. NATO countries are often lumped in with
the U.S. in propaganda on military/strategic themes. On TNF,
the U.S. and "some NATO leaders" are the villains, while the
European people are generally described as peace-loving. All
manifestations of opposition to neutron weapon and other weapons
receive heavy play. Disagreements or conflicts between the
U.S. and its European allies receive heavy and unbalanced atten-
tion from Soviet propagandists. A constant theme is that the
U.S. exploits Europe in its (U.S.) anti-Soviet policies and
uses heavy pressure in countering European resistance to U.S.
domination. Another theme, used mostly in connection with the
FRG is the "resurgent neo-Fascism, neo-Nazism" in the West.
III. A CASE STUDY: THE ANTI-NEUTRON WEAPON CAMPAIGN
This section describes a Soviet propaganda campaign on a
specific issue to show how propaganda themes and techniques
fit together in a concrete situation. The anti-neutron weapon
campaign is a major effort, is current, and is typical of
Soviet propaganda activity.
The Soviets have mounted an intensive worldwide propaganda
offensive against the neutron weapon (ERW) in response to the
recent U.S. announcement of plans to put ERW into production.
The campaign began immediately after the U.S. announcement on
August 6, and it has quickly grown into one of the biggest
Soviet p-ropaganda efforts in recent memory
The Soviets' current themes and techniques are largely reminis-
cent. of those used in their 1977-78 anti-neutron weapon campaign.
Some themes, however, are given new or different emphasis, in
line with present circumstances.
ERW in the Context of General Propaganda Themes
In addition to targeting the ERW issue directly, Soviet propa-
ganda frequently treats it as one of many elements constituting
the most important "general trends" in U.S. nuclear-strategic
policy. ERW is almost always brought up in the context of
discussions of these broader themes, several of which are listed
below (see pp. 6-9 for general discussion of these themes):
o The U.S. is initiating a costly new spiral of the arms race.
The neutron weapon decision is an obvious component of this.
The U.S. hopes to achieve military superiority over the USSR
but this is a futile effort. Escalating the arms race can
only lead to an ever more dangerous world situation and the
peoples of both countries will suffer because the resources
needed for butter will go for guns.
o The U.S. is seeking to destabilize the world situation and
to take advantage of that instability to intervene in other
countries in order to further its own interests. The
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neutron weapon is linked to other U.S. military programs and
plans geared to this goal. The neutron weapon decision, for
example, is tied to U.S. preparations for nuclear aggression
in the Persian Gulf-Indian Ocean area; the creation of the
"Rapid Deployment Force," in combination with ERW and other
things, assumes a "particularly sinister character."
Major Themes on ERW
Most'of the Soviet propaganda on ERW interweaves.a variety of
general (e.g., "The U.S. is not serious about arms control nego-
tiations") and specific themes. The specific themes include:
o The neutron weapon is a new type of weapon, distinct from
other weapons; its introduction will significantly disturb
the present military parity between the USSR and the U.S.
o By blurring the line between conventional and nuclear-
strategic weaponry, the neutron weapon lowers the threshold
for nuclear war and makes nuclear war more "thinkable."
o The neutron weapon is a particularly "monstrous" and "bar-
baric" weapon. That it is designed expressly to destroy
living things while leaving inanimate objects and property
intact is a clear and horrifying reflection of capitalist/
imperialist priorities.
o.The tl.S.. is making "nuclear hostages" of the Western Euro-
peans In the event of nuclear war, Europeans would become
the first victims and many countries would cease to exist.
o It is common knowledge that despite the present U.S. deci-
sion to store the weapons on American territory, the neu-
tron weapon is intended primarily for use in Western Europe
and deployment of the weapon on European soil can be ex-
pected before too long. The U.S. failed to consult with its
allies on this decision--although it affects them directly
and it continues'to "trample callously" on their concerns.
The U. S. thus seeks to.impose its will on Western Europe
regardless of strong opposition at a popular--and even to
some extent official--level.
o Worldwide opposition to U.S- introduction of the neutron
weapon has been and continues to be fierce. Manifestation
of anti--neutron weapon sentiment has been greatest in Europe,
but is occurring elsewhere, too'including in the United
States. Popular demonstrations have taken place, prominent
figures have spoken out, letter-writing campaigns have been
conducted, committees have been formed, 'and other activities
against the neutron weapon have been undertaken.
o The neutron weapon decision "complicates" and "puts-off" the
question of LRTNF talks, thus intensifying the overall
problem of European security.
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o The U.S. argument that the neutron weapon is a defensive,
anti-tank weapon, intended to offset Soviet tank strength
in Europe, is nonsense. The weapon can be used offen-
sively, for example, to clear the way for invading troops.
o Although the USSR opposes the production of any new types of
weapons, it will respond with a "proper counterbalance" to
the neutron weapon if the U.S. does not reconsider its decision
to produce the weapon. The USSR is prepared to acquire a
neutron weapon or whatever is necessary to defend against the
American threat.
Trends in Soviet ERW Propaganda
Slight shifts in emphases on several themes have been noted
recently.. Thus far, Soviet propagandists have been concen-
trating heavily on what the neutron weapon means for Europe.
While anti-neutron weapon propaganda is not directed exclusively
to a European audience, this is nonetheless the group on which
it has a primary and immediate impact.
Now in mid-September it appears that the Soviets are increasingly.
stressing the possible opportunities for use of neutron weapons
in the Third World--opportunities, they suggest, which the
Pentagon is pondering. According to Soviet propagandists, the
neutron weapon can be used wherever the U.S. perceives a "sphere
of vital interest"--which, it is noted, appears to be anywhere
and everywhere. The Persian Gulf is mentioned as one of the
most likely locations for U.S. use of the neutron weapon..
Anti-ERW propaganda dealing with the European context has not
been decreased, but perhaps an attempt is being made to broaden
the appeal of the Soviet campaign and make everyone feel more
threatened by ERW and thus inclined to protest against it.
There has also been a shift of emphasis away from the theme of
"the neutron weapon as an offensive weapon for clearing the way
for invading troops." Stress is increasingly being placed on
the argument that radiation contamination hazard from the weapon
is much longer lasting and more intense than U.S.--officials
contend. If the Soviets want to play up the latter theme (as
they evidently do), they cannot simultaneously charge that the
weapon could be used to quickly clear the way for troops to move
into or through an area.
There is no indication of a perceptible reduction in the intensity
or quantity of anti-ERW propaganda generated by the mass media of
the USSR and Soviet bloc countries. Their rhetoric also continues
to be harsh.
Techniques
The techniques used in the anti-ERW campaign are no different
from those commonly used in any Soviet external propaganda
activity (summarized in pp. 3-5 of this report). Different...
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t
< p
themes are played up for different audiences, or one- theme is
treated in a sophisticated or simple manner. Thus a Radio
Moscow English broadcast targetted to North America is likely to
emphasize the cost of ERW and other weapons to the American
public, commenting that it would be better for ordinary American
citizens if arms expenditures rather than social programs were
cut. Broadcasts to Western Europe, on the other hand, stress
U.S. "victimization" of Western Europe and European opposition
to ERW.
Various approaches used in the anti-neutron weapon campaign
include the following:
o TASS statements and official statements issued by top Soviet
officials giving the Soviet position on ERW. As these
constitute "news," they are generally reported widely in
foreign media.
o Statements issued by prominent Soviet figures in fields such
as medicine, science, religion (e.g. the Patriarch of Moscow,
the head of the USSR Academy of Sciences). These usually
condemn ERW on "humanitarian" grounds.
o Testimony by military experts (Soviet or non-Soviet) on the
military characteristics of ERW. This material.is often
intended to refute American information on the subject. For
example, an expert may discuss (in fairly technical terms)
how the longterm ERW radiation hazard is much greater.than
U.S. specialists have disclosed.
o Citation or reproduction of articles, speeches, reports, etc.,
appearing in non-Soviet, especially Western, mass media which
support Soviet anti-ERW themes. References to Western sources
to support Soviet positions is very common in Soviet external
and internal propaganda. The Soviets may use foreign-
originated material to suggest things they prefer not to state
directly themselves or consider more credible to audiences if
presented in non-Soviet sources. To give one example of Soviet
use of foreign media items: Publicity was given to a secret
ACDA study supposedly unearthed by Jack Anderson that "re-
vealed attempts to reassure the U.S. leadership by emphasizing
what would remain intact after the use of nuclear weapons."
This, according to the Soviets, provided "further convincing
evidence" that the U.S. is preparing for nuclear war.
o Personal attacks on U.S. officials considered responsible
for the ERW decision--Secretary Weinberger and Counselor
Meese, for example. Their worldview in general and their
motives for promoting particular policies are impugned.
Prepared by:
PGM/REU Staff
724-9265
.M-9/17/81
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