211. Position Paper Prepared in the Office of the Secretary of State0
SOVIET BLOC AIR PENETRATION OF UNDERDEVELOPED AREAS: AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA
Recommended US Position
The United States hopes that all countries will take precautions against the dangers involved in permitting Soviet Bloc countries to use civil aviation as a means of subverting developing countries. Such penetration is especially dangerous when it takes the form of Soviet Bloc participation in local aviation enterprises (i.e., Ghana, Guinea, Mali), but is also undesirable and potentially dangerous when it consists merely of the operation of secure air routes by Aeroflot, CSA (Czechoslovakia) or other Bloc airlines (i.e., to Cuba, the west coast of Africa, the Sudan et cetera).
Anticipated Foreign Position
- 1.
- Developing countries need assistance in operating air services in order to develop the country or the region and the USSR is willing to provide such assistance.
- 2.
- Air transport rights are granted to western countries so neutralist countries must grant similar rights to the Bloc countries. Furthermore, Poland and Czechoslovakia (not the USSR) as members of ICAO and adherents to the Air Transit Agreement automatically have transit and non-traffic rights from many other member countries (including the United States) and so they cannot be denied at least non-traffic rights.
Discussion
Present Soviet Bloc Penetration
The Soviets are deeply involved in the air operations of Ghana, Guinea, and Mali. Ghana, in particular, has reportedly suffered high financial losses as the result of having too many (eight) expensive-to-operate Soviet turboprop aircraft.
The Czech airline has been flying to Egypt and down the west coast of Africa, as well as through Near, South, and Southeast Asia for some time. The Soviets have just concluded a series of air agreements with west Africa countries plus the Sudan. The latter agreement gives Aeroflot routes through eastern Africa to the Malagasy Republic, across central Africa to the west coast and beyond to Latin America.
The Czechs also have been flying to Cuba (by way of the U.K., Ireland, and Canada) for some time. Aeroflot is now beginning service to Cuba by way of Conakry, Guinea.
Future Penetration
The Soviets are likely to be active in many African countries seeking the rights that will allow them to flesh out the routes already obtained. Eventually they will have a permanent network of secure communications. (Had they had such a network two years ago, it might not have been so easy to eliminate them from the Congo.)
The Soviets have also publicized the fact that they want routes into, and through, the heart of South America. (Brazil, Bolivia, et cetera.)
Although we have been unable to keep the Soviets out of Africa, we want to make every effort to keep them out of South America. If the Latin American countries will cooperate, it should be possible to do so.
In the field of technical assistance, a Soviet offer to train Somali pilots has been accepted. Offers of modern Soviet aircraft have been made to Bolivia. Other aid offers will undoubtedly accompany the seeking of landing rights in Latin American countries.
- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 533, CF 2160. Confidential. Drafted by Stoffel and cleared by McGhee, Lister, Russell, Wolfe, Ramsey, and FitzGerald. Prepared for Secretary Rusk’s delegation attending the 17th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in September.↩