Accession Number:

ADA153015

Title:

The Potential for Soviet Penetration of the Pacific Islands: An Assessment,

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON DC OFFICE OF EXTERNAL RESEARCH

Personal Author(s):

• Kiste,R. C.
• Herr,R. A.

Report Date:

1984-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

81.0

Abstract:

This is a study in vulnerability. It is a review of the potential for external influence to be introduced into the South Pacific region. As such, the capacity for mischief cannot be limited merely to the Soviet Union or any of its potential surrogates pitting their strength against Island weakness. The circumstance of vulnerability exists with almost equal intensity for most of the South Pacifics microstates regardless of whether the intrusive threat is a major power, including the Western states, or such non-governmental dangers as organized crime and freebooting carpetbaggers. Thus, although the terms of reference commissioning this study stress the Soviet potential to exploit Island vulnerabilities primarily in pursuit of global balance of power objectives, the factors which create these opportunities are not unidirectional. They could also be exploited by a wide range of non-regional actors for reasons which would have little to do with the balance of power. Additional keywords ANZUS additional and sociological variables economics domestic policies international affairs.

Descriptors:

• *DEVELOPING NATIONS
• *SUBVERSION
• *PACIFIC OCEAN ISLANDS
• USSR
• VULNERABILITY
• PENETRATION
• INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
• INTRUSION

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE