National Intelligence Daily
Saturday
10
BRIEFS AND COMMENTS
ESTERN EUROPE* Proponed Energy conference
The Sovieto, in an attempt toedge between the US and its West European allies,ASS commentary yesterday to raiee tho poeeibility that an all-European conference on energy coneidereeourity of oil supply linee from the Persian Gulf and equal aaoese to the oil euppliee of the region. (U)
The Soviets are well aware the west Germans inare interested in pursuing energy cooperation with the USSR. They also believe that many Westare looking for waya to reduce East-West tension over Afghanistan and toositive dialogue with tha USSR. (U)
The author of the commentary termed hissensible and promising alternative to the adventurist and hegemonistic policy of tho US" in the Persian Gulf region. Although the author repeated President Brezhnev's acknowledgment onebruary that the US interest in protecting its oil supply routos is understandable* ho also tried toomparable Soviet interest in ensuring the safety of the routes. Ho cited West German Chancellor Schmidt's recent comment that the USSR,otential purchaser of Near Eaategitimate right of access to its source. The implicitthat the USSR will increaaingly look to tho Near East for oil puts the West on notice that Soviet strategic intaraata muat be taken into account in any discussion of tha Gulf and ita oil routaa. (U)
The Soviet commentary could also presage increased Soviet efforts toialogue with the coneerv-ativa Arab oilon commercial matters. Moscow's use of force in Afghanistan has heightened Arab anxioty, and tha Sovleta will try to convince the Persian Gulf atatea that the expansionS military presence in tho areahreat. (U)
Original document.
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