Cold War International History Project
Virtual Archive 2.0

The Cold War in Africa

Flavio Bravo, deputy commander of the Cuban forces in Algeria, to Raúl Castro, Algiers
October 21 1963 - Flavio Bravo, deputy commander of the Cuban forces in Algeria, to Raúl Castro, Algiers, pp. 2-3 regarding the situation in Algeria and the behavior of different factions
 
Cable from Fernández Padilla to Che Guevara
November 04 1965 - Cable from Fernández Padilla to Che Guevara regarding the contents of a letter from Castro to Che Guevara
 
CC BCP Politburo Resolution on Bulgarian Intelligence actions against China and Albania
January 11 1966 - CC BCP Politburo approves Angel Solakov’s recommendation the State Security Committee to commence intelligence and counter-intelligence operations against PRC and Albania. In an attached report Solakov lays out the rationale for such actions. Solakov cites cases where the Chinese and Albanian intelligence services have allegedly embarked upon anti-Soviet actions in various countries of Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
 
CPSU CC Decision, 10 January 1974
January 10 1974 - Includes a telegram from USSR to Zambia.
 
Letter from Neto to Cuban leadership, Dar-es-Salaam
January 26 1975 - Letter from Neto to Cuban leadership, Dar-es-Salaam requesting help in setting up schools and providing military training, weapons and expertise
 
Soviet Ambassador to the People's Republic of Angola E.I. Afanasenko, Memorandum of Conversation with President of the Movement for the Popular Liberation of Angola Agostinho Neto
July 04 1975 - Soviet Ambassador to the People's Republic of Angola E.I. Afanasenko, Memorandum of Conversation with President of the MPLA Agostinho Neto where Neto elaborates on Angolan relations with other parties in neighboring countries and requests financial and military aid.
 
Raúl Díaz Argíelles to the Armed Forces minister [Raúl Castro]
August 11 1975 - Raúl Díaz Argíelles to the Armed Forces minister [Raúl Castro] on the meeting in Angola with Neto and clarifications of what type of aid to provide to Angola
 
Risquet to Fidel Castro, Luanda
December 30 1975 - Risquet to Fidel Castro, Luanda on the high morale of Cuban commanders and soldiers in Angola
 
Risquet to Fidel Castro, Luanda
January 29 1976 - Risquet to Fidel Castro, Luanda on his meeting with Neto regarding weapons delivered by the Soviet Union to Angola to help arm Cubans coming to fight for Angola
 
Minutes of the meeting between Todor Zhivkov and Fidel Castro in Sofia
March 11 1976 - Conversation for the record between Zhivkov and Castro during a four-day-long state visit of the Cuban leader to Bulgaria. Among the main issues discussed was the state of economic development in both countries, their relations with Albania, China, Romania and Yugoslavia; the Cuban foreign policy in Africa and the Caribbean; the civil war in Angola; the battle for the Third World.
 
Secret BCP Politburo Resolution for Military Aid supply to Certain National-Liberation Movements and Communist Parties
July 16 1976 - 12 million BGN, five-year plan for arms delivery to People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO), Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), and the Lebanese Communist Party.
 
Soviet Ambassador to the People's Republic of Angola B.S. Vorobiev
September 04 1976 - Soviet Ambassador to the People's Republic of Angola B.S. Vorobiev, memorandum of conversation with President A. Neto where Neto speaks about the need to understand the position of the other southern African nations in order to evaluate the national liberation movements
 
Bulgaria-Angola, Bilateral Relations
October 01 1976 - Background information on Bulgarian-Angolan bilateral relations since Angolan independence.
 
Minutes of Conversation between Todor Zhivkov and Muammar al-Qaddafi
December 25 1976 - Qaddafi seeks Bulgarian assistance in his attempt to close a deal with the Soviet Union for purchase of weapons and for construction of a nuclear power plant. Todor Zhivkov in turn requests a loan. Both leaders discuss the situation in Yemen, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria, Chad, Sudan, and Western Sahara.
 
Third African Department, Soviet Foreign Ministry, Information Report on Somali-Ethiopian Territorial Disputes
February 02 1977 - Third African Department, Soviet Foreign Ministry, Information Report on Somali-Ethiopian Territorial Disputes and the position of the USSR in settling the dispute
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Counselor-Minister in Ethiopia S. Sinitsin with Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia Herbert Malin
February 02 1977 - Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Counselor-Minister in Ethiopia S. Sinitsin with Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia Herbert Malin regarding the tense situation in Ethiopia and US and Soviet positions with regards to Ethiopia
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Somalia G.V. Samsonov and Somali President Siad Barre
February 23 1977 - Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Somalia G.V. Samsonov and Somali President Siad Barre regarding the Somalian request for Soviet aid and the situation between Somalia and Ethiopia
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet acting Charge d'affaires in Ethiopia S. Sinitsin and Ethiopian official Maj. Berhanu Bayeh
March 18 1977 - Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Acting Charge d'affaires in Ethiopia S. Sinitsin and Ethiopian official Maj. Berhanu Bayeh concerning the strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia and and Ethiopian-Soviet cooperation
 
Report from CPSU CC to SED CC, Results of N.V. Podgorny's Visit to Africa (excerpts)
March 31 1977 - Report from CPSU CC to SED CC, Results of N.V. Podgorny's Visit to Africa (excerpts) discussing the growing enmity between Ethiopia and Somalia and concerns from African nations over this tension
 
Transcript of Meeting between East German leader Erich Honecker and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, East Berlin (excerpts)
April 03 1977 - Transcript of a meeting between East German leader Erich Honecker and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, East Berlin (excerpts) regarding Castro’s visit to Somalia and Ethiopia, criticizing Siad Barre and discussing the need to help the revolution in Ethiopia
 
Fidel Castro's 1977 Southern Africa tour: a report to Honecker
April 03 1977 - Fidel Castro's 1977 southern Africa tour: a report to Honecker describing the situation in Africa and the potential for striking a blow against the imperialists in Africa
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Acting Charge d'affaires in Ethiopia S. Sinitsyn and Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, Herbert Malin
May 09 1977 - Memorandum of cfonversation between Soviet acting Charge d'affaires in Ethiopia S. Sinitsyn and political counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, Herbert Malin regarding US policies towards Ethiopia and US concerns about Soviet-Ethiopian rapprochement
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet acting Charge d'affaires in Ethiopia S. Sinitsyn and Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, Herbert Malin
May 09 1977 - Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Acting Charge d'affaires in Ethiopia S. Sinitsyn and Political Counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, Herbert Malin regarding US policies towards Ethiopia and worries by the US about Soviet-Ethiopian rapprochement
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Mengistu
June 29 1977 - Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Mengistu discussing the negative repercussions of possible conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia and the request for Soviet assistance from the Ethiopians to help with the withdrawal of Somali forces from Ethiopian territory
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.N. Ratanov and Cuban military official Arnaldo Ochoa
July 17 1977 - Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.N. Ratanov and Cuban military official Arnaldo Ochoa concerning the situation in Ethiopia and the recent losses of objectives in Eritrea by the Ethiopians as well as possible means to strenghten the Ethiopian army
 
Record of negotiations between Somali and Soviet Officials in Moscow (excerpts)
July 25 1977 - Record of negotiations between Somali and Soviet Officials in Moscow (excerpts) regarding the resolution of the Somali-Ethiopian conflict and possible negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia concerning territorial disputes.
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Mengistu
July 29 1977 - Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Mengistu regarding Soviet support for Ethiopia and the consequent strain in Soviet-Somali relations
 
Transcript of CPSU CC Politburo Meeting (excerpt)
August 04 1977 - Transcript of CPSU CC Politburo Meeting (excerpt) regarding the situation between Ethiopia and Somalia and the limited capability of the Soviet Union with regards to the situation
 
Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov, Memorandum of Conversation with Mengistu
August 05 1977 - Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov, Memorandum of Conversation with Mengistu regarding Ethiopian responses to Somali actions and the Soviet role in providing supplies to Ethiopia
 
Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov, Memorandum of Conversation with Mengistu
August 07 1977 - Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov, memorandum of cnversation with Mengistu regarding Soviet support for Ethiopia and support from other nations for Somalia
 
Ethiopian Aide-Memoire to Soviet Officials in Moscow
August 11 1977 -
 
Record of Soviet-Somali Talks, Moscow (excerpts), with Somali aide-memoire, 10 August 1977
August 12 1977 - Record of Soviet-Somali Talks, Moscow (excerpts), with Somali aide-memoire, 10 August 1977 regarding Soviet evaluations of the situation in Somalia and the Somali-Ethiopian conflict
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia Ratanov and Cuban Ambassador to Ethiopia Jose Perez Novoa
August 23 1977 - Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia Ratanov and Cuban Ambassador to Ethiopia Jose Perez Novoa regarding the question of inviting Cuban military personnel to Ethiopia
 
Record of negotiations between Somali and Soviet officials in Moscow from 15-19 August 1977(excerpts)
August 31 1977 - Record of negotiations between Somali and Soviet officials in Moscow (excerpts) regarding Somali-Ethiopian tensions and reactions by Somalis of negative comments in Soviet press regarding Somalia
 
Memorandum of conversation, Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov with U.S. Charge d'Affaires A. Tienkin
September 01 1977 - Memorandum of Conversation, Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov with U.S. Charge d'Affaires A. Tienkin regarding US feelings of improved US-Ethiopian and US-Somalian relations and US lack of interest in Soviet military aid to Ethiopia
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia Ratanov and Mengistu
September 05 1977 - Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia Ratanov and Mengistu regarding fighting between Ethiopian and Somali forces and Ethiopia’s support of the People’s Independent Movement in Djibouti
 
Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov, Memorandum of Meeting with Mengistu
September 10 1977 - Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov, memorandum of meeting with Mengistu with heads of diplomatic missions for the European socialist countries regarding the "imperialist" plot on the part of the US and other countries to overthrow the Ethiopian government
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Felleke Gedle Giorgis
September 14 1977 - Ratanov and Giorgis discuss the reactions of various countries to the news of the Ethiopian Revolution. They also talk about the war going on with Somalia and various other events going on in the Horn of Africa.
 
Attachement to the memorandum of conversation with Ethiopian Foreign Secretary Dawit Wolde Giorgis.
September 29 1977 - Memorandum on US Operation "Fakel" [Torch], which the United States was supposedly planning in order to destabilize the Ethiopian regime. It involved the arming of internal opposition groups with US weapons. This report was attached to the memorandum of conversation with Ethiopian Foreign Secretary Dawit Wolde Giorgis.
 
Conversation between F. Trappen and K. Brutents (excerpts)
November 07 1977 - The conversation focuses on the problems that Ethiopia is encountering with the Eritrean Liberation Movement
 
CPSU CC to SED CC, Information on 30-31 October 1977 Closed Visit of Mengistu Haile Mariam to Moscow
November 08 1977 - The memo concerns the visit of Mariam to Moscow and his meeting with the Central Committee. During the meeting he described the problems facing the Ethiopian regime, primarily the war with Somalia and relations with the other countries in the Horn of Africa.
 
Memorandum of Conversation, East German Official with Soviet Ambassador to Ethiopia Ratanov
December 07 1977 - The memo details a conversation between Ratanov and an East German official. The talk covered the ongoing war with Somalia and the internal political situation of Ethiopia
 
Information from D. Stoyanov to T. Zhivkov re: Additional data on the Internal Situation and Foreign Policy of Ethiopia
January 01 1978 - The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dimitar Stoyanov reports on the political situation in Ethiopia during the late 1970s. The economic hardship is pushing Mengistu’s government to accept Western aid, in addition to the support it is getting from the Soviet bloc. Mengistu also seems to be critical of the anti-Soviet policy of China.
 
Memorandum of a Conversation between East German leader Erich Honecker and Siassi Aforki, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Party of Eritrea, in Berlin
January 31 1978 - Aforki briefs Honecker and SED leadership on the current situation in Ethiopia in relation to the Eritrean movement for independence.
 
Memorandum of Conversation between East German official Paul Markovski and CPSU CC International Department head Boris N. Ponomarev in Moscow
February 10 1978 - The two men discussed the current situation in Ethiopia and focused on the assistance the Soviet Union and Cuba was providing to the Ethiopians. They also talked about the role the United States was playing in the Horn of Africa
 
SED CC, Department of International Relations, 16 February 1978, Report on Conversation with [Vice-president] Carlos Rafael Rodriguez, Member of the Politburo of the CP Cuba, in Havana
February 13 1978 - Ambassador Langer discusses with Rodriguez the current situation in Ethiopia, focusing on the Eritrean liberation movement and the ongoing war with Somalia. They also discuss levels of assistance by various outside powers to the region
 
Embassy of the GDR in the USSR, Political Department, 17 February 1978, Memorandum of Conversation with the Dep. Head of the MFA Third Department (Africa), Comrade S. J. Sinitsin
February 16 1978 - Sinitsin briefs the East German embassy in Moscow on the current situation in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. The briefing focuses on the ongoing war with Somalia and the internal situation in Ethiopia
 
Memorandum of Conversation of SED Comrade Lamberz with Cuban Ambassador to Ethiopia, Comrade Pepe, Addis Ababa
March 03 1978 - The conversation focuses on outside support of the situation in the Horn of Africa. Specifically Soviet, Cuban, and US support for the various countries and groups
 
Minutes of CPSU CC Politburo Meeting, 9 March 1978 (excerpt)
March 09 1978 - The minutes focus on a meeting at which the Politburo is discussing a request by Siad Barre (leader of Somalia) to mediate the ongoing war with Ethiopia
 
Soviet Foreign Ministry Background Report on Soviet-Ethiopian Relations
April 03 1978 - The report covers all aspect of relations between Ethiopia and the Soviet Union from 1974 onwards. It focuses on forms of cooperation and support for the country during its war with Somalia
 
Soviet Foreign Ministry and CPSU CC International Department Background Report on the Somali-Ethiopian Conflict
April 03 1978 - The report provides a general background regarding the war between Somalia and Ethiopia. It covers all aspects of the conflict including outside support for both countries from the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the United States.
 
Memorandum on Soviet Reaction to Libyan Proposal on Somali-Ethiopian Conflict
April 04 1978 - A memo prepared by the SED on a Libyan proposal for a political settlement of the Somali-Ethiopian war
 
Letter from Honecker to Brezhnev
April 19 1978 - The letter is written by Honecker to inform Brezhnev about talks that were held between Aforki (Eritrea) and Mengistu (Ethiopia). The talks focused on the development of autonomy for the Eritreans
 
Memorandum of Conversation between [SED] Comrade Friedel Trappen and Soviet Comrade R. A. Ulyanovsky in the CC of the CPSU
May 11 1978 - The conversation focused on the negotiations between Ethiopia and the Eritrean Liberation Movement. The talks were focusing on how the Eritreans could obtain a certain degree of regional autonomy
 
Information on Talks of Ahmed Nasser (ELF-RC) in the USSR Solidarity Committee
June 07 1978 - Ahmed Nasser, leader of ELF-RC (one of the Eritrean liberation movements), discusses the internal political situation of Eritrea.
 
Winkelmann to Hermann Axen
June 09 1978 - Winkelman is describing a recent speech by Mengistu, the leader of Ethiopia
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Grabowski and Sinitsin in Moscow
June 19 1978 - Describes a conversation that covers a speech Mengistu gave on June 14 and also a general discussion of the Horn of Africa. It focuses on international support to the different parties involved
 
CPSU CC Politburo Decision
July 14 1978 - A decision by the Central Committee regarding continued support of the Ethiopian regime under Mengistu
 
Minutes of Meeting of CPSU CC Politburo (excerpt)
July 14 1978 - A general conversation amongst Politburo members regarding the current state of relations with the Ethiopian regime and how it could be improved. (excerpt)
 
Background report on Ethiopia’s Relations with Western Countries
August 14 1978 - The report details the relations between Ethiopia and the Western countries, primarily how they have changed since the 1974 revolution. It focuses on relations between the United States and the common market countries specifically.
 
Policy Statement on the Bulgarian Relations with Angola, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and PDR of Yemen.
October 01 1978 - Policy recommendations for strengthening the political and economic ties between Bulgaria and the countries of the Third World.
 
Statements of Agostinho Neto, Samora Machel and Mengistu Haile Mariam on the political situation in Zimbabwe
October 16 1978 - Statements made during Todor Zhivkov’s visit to sub-Saharan Africa, 16-19 October 1978
 
USSR Embassy in Cuba, "Informational Letter on Contemporary Cuban-American Relations,"
April 26 1979 - The Soviet Embassy in Washington gives an overview of the latest developments in US-Cuban relations. While steps towards a rapprochment have been undertaken, both sides are deadlocked on the issue of Cuba's military involvement in Africa.
 
Minutes of Todor Zhivkov – Robert Mugabe Conversation, Sofia
July 29 1979 -
 
Transcript of Brezhnev Honecker summit in East Berlin (excerpt on Iran and Afghanistan)
October 04 1979 - Transcript of Brezhnev Honecker summit in East Berlin (excerpt on Iran and Afghanistan) with Brezhnev discussing the leadership of Amin and expressing continued Soviet support for Afghanistan
 
Transcript of CPSU CC Politburo Meeting (excerpt), 18 October 1979
October 18 1979 - Transcript of CPSU CC Politburo Meeting (excerpt) regarding telegrams from Cuba regarding the attitudes of SWAPO men and Angolans towards the Cubans and fighting. The Politburo members also discussed Sino-Soviet relations, Cuban sugar sales, and Soviet cooperation with Spain.
 
Minutes of Conversation between Todor Zhivkov and Samora Machel
September 10 1980 - Both leaders discuss recent developments in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, East Timor, Western Sahara, Poland, and Afghanistan.
 
Reassessing Détente: Ospolitik as a Strategy of Transformation, 1966-1975
May 06 1987 - This document discusses the increasing amount of aid the Soviet Union provided to Afghanistan; how the country must fight against 'imperialist and reactionary' forces, and its efforts to establish a stronger ties to Czechoslovakia in order to further national reconciliation.
 
Soviet Ambassador to Angola, V.P. Loginov
June 27 1987 - Memorandum of Conversation with candidate-member of the Politburo Secretary of the CC MPLA-PT for international issues P. Luvualu, dicussing the situation in Zaire and the continued Soviet support for Angola
 
CPSU CC Memo with excerpt of Protocol #165/30, 19 September 1989
September 19 1989 - Concerns Soviet ties to Mengistu Haile Mariam of Ethiopia.
 
CPSU CC Memo, excerpt from Protocol #172/1, 17 November 1989
November 17 1989 - Concerns further Soviet relations with Ethiopia.
 
CPSU CC Protocol #187/18, 11 May 1990
May 11 1990 - This protocol deals with military, defense, and economic matters of the Soviet Union. It also contains a report pertaining to Soviet relations with Ethiopia.
 
CPSU CC Report, 21 May 1991
May 16 1991 - This report deals with the political crisis in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It also concerns Soviet plans to settle the conflict.
 
Report from CPSU CC to SED CC, Information about the Visit to the Soviet Union of Somalia Vice President Samanta
Report from CPSU CC to SED CC, Information about the Visit to the Soviet Union of Somalian Vice President Samanta and discussions concerning the Somali-Ethiopian tensions and Soviet-Somali relations. Late May-early June 1977
 
Additions to 2 February 1977 Report by Third African Department, Soviet Foreign Ministry, on "Somalia's Territorial Disagreements with Ethiopia and the Position of the USSR," apparently in late May-early June 1977
Additions to 2 February 1977 Report by Third African Department, Soviet Foreign Ministry, on "Somalia's Territorial Disagreements with Ethiopia and the Position of the USSR," regarding a meeting between Siad, Mengistu and Castro and Siad’s unwillingness to negotiate with Mengistu
 
Memorandum of conversation between Minister-counselor of the Soviet Embassy in Havana M. Manasov and Cuban Communist Party CC member Raul Valdes Vivo
o5/07/1979 - Memorandum of conversation between Minister-counselor of the Soviet Embassy in Havana M. Manasov and Cuban Communist Party CC member Raul Valdes Vivo where Vivo discusses plans for Soviet-Cuban cooperation on the Angolan situation
 
Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador in Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Cuban Ambassador in Ethiopia Jose Peres Novoa
20/10/1977 - Memorandum of conversation between Soviet Ambassador in Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Cuban Ambassador in Ethiopia Jose Peres Novoa concerning Mengistu’s request to Castro that Cuba supply arms to Ethiopia
 
Excerpt from Che Guevara's "Pasajes de la guerra revolucionaria (Congo)" on his meeting with African liberation movement leaders in Dar-es-Salaam
02/1965 - Excerpt from Che Guevara's "Pasajes de la guerra revolucionaria (Congo)" on his meeting with African liberation movement leaders in Dar-es-Salaam describing the inability to convince them to fight for a greater cause than the freedom of individual republics
 

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