How to get round the Russians — by an expert

Press, 22 December 1978, Page 14

How to get round the Russians — by an expert

NZPA-Reuter London Do not ask them for wheat, do not compare them with the United States as a super-Pow<-r, and on no account try to defend China.

This is tite advice, posthumously revealed. of Gamel Abdel Nasser for other Third World leaders negotiating with th? Kremlin.

It is recorded by the former Egyptian President’s close friend and confidant, Mohammed Hassanein Heykal, who in a history of Soviet-Arab relations recently published reconstructs a manual on how to talk to the Russians which Nasser had planned to write in the mid-19605.

The honeymoon period comes after an obviously revolutionary action by the new leader like Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company. After a short period of silence while the development is analysed, the leader becomes the “hero of the hour, a pet, a superman. He will be cultivated and pampered: nothing will be too good for him. Unlimited political and economic backing will be his. and direct channels of communication with the Kremlin will open for him.” After the honeymoon come the quarrels when “the petted superman turns out to be human after all.”

Finally, comes the phase of normalisation or pigeonholing when the leader is allocated his permanent place in the hierarchy of Soviet treatment of foreign countries. Nasser believed, according to Heykal, that Third

World leaders should go to-. Moscow armed with a good stock of anecdotes, jokes, proverbs, and folk sayings since “tor all then pragmatism the Soviet

leadership is made up of Slav peasants. easily moved to laughter and tears.”

They should also have a strong digestion and a strong head for drink — or else be ready to plead that they must abstain from the innumerable rounds of toasts at Soviet banquets on medical or religious grounds. In "Sphinx and Commissar” (Collins), Heykal. who was editor-in-chief of the semi-official Cairo newspaper. “Al Ahram.” in the Nasser era. lists 14 do’s and eight don’ts derived front Nasser’s long experience of negotiating with the Kremlin. Some do’s -

“Ensure that you negotiate with them in a language that both sides understand, since bad translation can cause endless trouble.” “Go well briefed on the history of World War Two and the fundamental part >n it played by the Soviet Union.” Learn to recognise the interplay of forces within what appears to be a monolithic structure, and to appreciate that remarks by' soldiers, technocrats, or bureaucrats may be statements of opinion rather than of policy. “What really matters is what you hear from the leadership.”

“If you want something specific, in the way of aid from the Soviets, give them plenty of time” since their planning processes are extremely rigid.

“Remember that agricu' ture is the Soviets' Ach illes heel." "Remember that the So viets assess any political problem with their eyes on the United States America is an obsession with them." “Always remember tha the Soviets look on the prospect of anothe, vat with horror." Some don’ts: •'Don’t criticise any past or present Soviet short comings.” “If you must quarrel with the Soviets, see that your quarrel does not last longer than a year, or 18 months at the outside Once the signal that you are to be regarded as an enemy has passed down through the Soviet hier archy to the rank-and-file “The process of rehabilita tion will have been rendered almost impossible.” “Don’t take offence at what may seem to be their interference in your internal affairs.” Don’t publish informal tion about your dealings with the Kremlin. “Be careful in your choice of gifts. Never o’ffer them jewels. Cultural objects — antiquities — are best.” In Nasser’s analysis. Heykal writes, every Third World leader should expect his relations with the Russians to go through five phases. First is a period of mistrust, every emergent Third World leader being initially regarded with grave suspicion.

Then an interregnum while the leader’s anti-co-lonial record is assessed. In this phase limited dealings of a practical nature such as trade exchanges are possible.