SECRET
ANNEX A to
DP 1777346) (Proliminary Draft) (Continued)
19. Africa currently provides the Soviet Union with most oppor-
tunities for realising their long term aim of shifting the
balance of forces in the world in their favour.
Since 1975 they
have to a large extent employed the Cuban Armed Forces to assist
them in working in support of indigenous African governments and
revolutionary movements. Recognising this HMG has evolved a
policy towards Africa (12) which Ministers consider should help to
reduce Soviet influence or penetration. Ministers have approved
an increase in training of Military personnel by the UK both
because of the importance of the Armed Forces in most African
countries and to enable these countries to maintain security
without the nood for intervention. The scope and impact of this
significant, additional Priority Two Commitment have yet to be
addressed.
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20. In the Middle East, the CENTO region poses a barrier to
Soviet expansion towards the Indian Ocean. Soviet influence is
a destabilising factor inimical to Western interests. and
Pakistan has serious doubts about the military effectiveness of
the Alliance. It is assessed (13) that the current UK military
contribution to CENTO (principally a contribution to the Central
Military Planning Staff and a declining contribution to the
annual exercise programme) is the minimum necessary to indicate
that the UK supports the Alliance. The developing Anglo-Iranian
relationship and an increasing need to match Soviet activity with
a perceived Western military presence in the Cento region suggest
that the UK military contribution should be increased. This
coul could be achieved by undertaking a limited CENTO reinforcement
Notes:
12.
CP(78)66 (Held by DS 12 Cabinet Section). 13. DP 19/78(C)(Draft)(To be issued).
$VERES