CONTINUITIES IN SOVIET-FOREIGN-POLICY - THE CASE OF MOZAMBIQUE

During Gorbachev's initial years in power Moscow's policies toward the Mozambican conflict did not change appreciably from those pursued by his predecessors. Soviet officials continued to denounce the anti-Marxist insurgents, the South Africans, and American mediators. In addition, despite FRELIMO's repeated pleas for increased military assistance, they continued to provide only measured levels of economic and especially military assistance to their allies. After the inability of FRELIMO to attain a military victory became clear. Soviet rhetorical policies did change. Beginning in 1988 Soviet spokesmen supported Western and African efforts to negotiate a settlement to the conflict. However, the Soviet government continued to criticize the anti-Marxist insurgents and persisted in maintaining a low profile in the civil war. At present, Soviet officials hope a comprehensive peace agreement would reduce their costs by diminishing the level of fighting, but yet not leave the USSR vulnerable to charges of having abandoned another beleaguered ally. Among other problems, such an accusation would patently disturb those representatives of the Soviet establishment who already blame the Gorbachev-Shevardnadze team for undermining the USSR's credibility as a superpower.