Soviet-Algerian Relations from 1968 to 1976 (Based on materials from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs archive)

The article presents the perspective of French diplomats on the evolution of relations between the USSR and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria in the late 1960s and the first half of the 1970s. Despite Algeria gaining independence from France in 1962, Paris continued to view the young Arab country as within its sphere of interest and closely monitored the growing influence of Moscow in Algeria. The author consistently shows that the foundation of Soviet-Algerian relations was cooperation in the military sphere. Algeria was one of the African countries where Soviet military specialists worked on a permanent basis. Algerian military personnel, including the officer corps, underwent military training in the USSR. Moscow carried out large-scale arms supplies to Algeria. The article is based on documents from the French Foreign Ministry archives, a significant portion of which is introduced into scholarly circulation for the first time. It mainly concerns diplomatic reports and analytical notes prepared at the French embassy in Algeria. A notable intensification of Soviet-Algerian relations occurred in the mid-1970s in connection with the escalation of the conflict between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara and the onset of the Angolan conflict. The scale of Soviet arms supplies to Algeria significantly increased during this time. However, in the economic sphere, the USSR noticeably lagged behind Western countries in the competition for the Algerian market, which initially had stronger positions in the region and remained the main buyers of Algerian hydrocarbons. Overall, under conditions of limited economic capabilities, the USSR pursued a cautious and pragmatic policy in Algeria. The skillful use by Moscow of the mistakes made by Western countries with respect to Algeria, as well as the successful work of Soviet mass media in Algeria, allowed the Soviet Union to gradually develop its relations with the young Arab country.

USSR, Algeria, Cold War, France, Maghreb, North Africa, Third World, Colonialism, Socialism, Détente