Development of Relations with Socialist Countries since March 19, 1961

Development of Relations with Socialist Countries since March 19, 1961

We saw recently that the UN session was an opportunity to establish contacts with several delegations, particularly with the heads of states and governments of socialist countries present in New York on that occasion (President Khrushchev and the leaders of European popular democracies). Those meetings allowed us to bring up the issues of assistance and recognition, and suggest the possibility of a [Provisional Government] ministerial visit to the different socialist capitals. It is thus that Doctor Francis visited Moscow, Prague, Budapest, and Sofia. The time schedule of the members of the government did not allow for visits to other capitals, which we should remedy as soon as possible.

USSR: The aid pledged has materialized: important arms shipments to the Eastern and the Western fronts; assistance in species; and then the acceptance of [Algerian] student pilots [to be trained in the Soviet Union].

Czechoslovakia: Hesitant for a long time because it played the role of intermediary with the West and with France, Czechoslovakia has not only decided to extend “de facto” recognition to the GPRA, but has also offered very substantial support in weapons and equipment.

Other popular democracies: without expressly pledging their recognition, those states have tacitly recognized the GPRA. Organizing a series of visits could surely allow us to obtain consequential material aid.

Thus, support from the socialist camp has increased on the political and diplomatic fronts, and has materialized concretely with respect to supplies. This assistance will only increase as long as the Algerian revolution remains a vanguard in the anti-colonial and anti-imperial struggle, and if the current international context of tensions is exploited through a dynamic strategy.