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Pamiatka sovetskomu voinu-patriotu, internatsionalistu [i.e. Memo to the Soviet Patriotic Soldier, Internationalist]

Item #2692

[Frunze,now Bishkek]: tip. Frunzevets, [late 1980s]. 37 pp.: ill. 14,5 × 9,5 cm. In original illustrated wrappers. Near fine condition.

This pocket edition was published for Soviet soldiers forced to take part in a large military conflict in the Soviet-controlled Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) from 1979 to 1989. The conflict became
an essential part of the Cold War. It began after the USSR led by Leonid Brezhnev launched an invasion of Afghanistan to support the local pro-Soviet government. This book reads: “In April 1978, a national-democratic, anti-feudal, anti-imperialist trade unions, Islam in Afghanistan, the DRA revolution took place in Afghanistan. The people turned to the path of independence and freedom. However, almost immediately, Afghanistan faced external aggression from world imperialism led by the United States and local reaction. A serious threat arose to the existence of the country as an independent state, the
threat of the creation of a regime dependent on the United States, and the transformation of the territory of Afghanistan into an imperialist military bridgehead on the southern border of the USSR”. Referring
to the UN Charter, the memo compilers emphasized that Afghanistan, as a UN member, had the right to receive military assistance from another UN member. Further, they mentioned Soviet-Afghan agreements of 1921 and 1978. Of 200 Afghan industrial projects planned together with the Soviet Union, 74 were built and were put into operation, including factories, airports, hydroelectric stations, bridges, etc. DRA imported Soviet vehicles, machines, equipment of various types, and products of the light industry. Afghanistan was connected to Soviet satellite television and many Soviet programs were broadcast on Afghan TV in the 1980s.
In short, the book introduces Soviet soldiers to local morals and customs: it warns about the women’s part of the house, women’s veils, religious rituals and places. Then the book prohibits drinking water from public sources, purchasing any things from locals, using local transport, visiting shops and bazaars. The major section of the book includes brief information about Afghanistan (with flag and coat of arms), local ethnic groups, the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (with flag and coat of arms), the Democratic Youth Organisation of Afghanistan, the Democratic Women’s Organisation of Afghanistan (DOAW), the National Front, local trade unions, Islam in Afghanistan, the DRA Armed Forces and military ranks of generals, officers and sergeants, administrative division of the country, a scheme of peoples’ settlements, some industrial enterprises marked in a scheme, a basic phrasebook.

Not found in Worldcat.

Status: On Hold