Soviet Perspectives on Current Sino-Soviet Relations

摘要

The Sino-Soviet dispute affected a fundamental realignment of the world power structure. It has been suggested that improving Sino-Soviet relations presage yet another such change. This will not be the case. The USSR is, by any measure, the more powerful and decisive actor in the dispute. It considers the existence of the dispute and the position of the PRC an affront to its dignity and a threat to its interests. The dispute should be resolved but only on Soviet terms. Compromise would risk ideological and strategic stability. At the same time PRC leaders face analogous constraints that prevent compromise on their part. The Soviets' only other solution, military force, can only be applied at greater risk than compromise would entail. Continuing the relationship on terms of peaceful coexistence, while operating diplomatically and internationally to contain the PRC, is the only alternative left. Keywords to this thesis include: Ussuri River; Damansky Island; ideology; national interest; personal antipathy; Muslim minorities; military force levels; military balance; demographic trends; economic base; border talks; normalization talks; accommodation; and intimidation.