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Soviet Union [USSR] Asia
The Soviet Union had at least four regional objectives in Asia:
defense of the Soviet Union's eastern borders, including border
areas claimed by Japan, China, and Mongolia; maintenance of Soviet
alliances, as embodied in treaties of friendship and cooperation
with India, Mongolia, North Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan;
establishment of better relations with the Western-oriented, more
economically advanced states in order to obtain technology and
assistance in the economic development of Siberia; and, related to
the other objectives, establishment of a pro-Soviet orientation
among the states of the region that would have the effect of
isolating China, South Korea, and the United States. The main
instrument used in pursuit of these objectives has been the large
Soviet military presence in Asia. Stressing that the Soviet Union
is an Asian power, Gorbachev has attempted to establish or
consolidate better relations with several states in the region,
mainly China, Japan, and India. In 1988 Gorbachev had also
attempted to remove Afghanistan as an issue blocking the
establishment or consolidation of better relations with Asian
states by negotiating a timetable for the withdrawal of Soviet
combat forces.
Data as of May 1989
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