Soviet military mission to visit Syria. Discussions to be held about use of Syrian ports by Soviet navy, landing of Soviet spy planes at Syrian airports, and stationing of aviation and artillery units there.
Contains request to Central Committee (No 3395, 9 December 1980) which includes details of six delegation members, and 22 November 1980 letter from General Staff to Central Committee Department (12 Dec 1980, St 241-41) 11 pp.
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[Page one of eleven]
St 241/41 12 December 1980
Top Secret
RESOLUTION
Of the Secretariat of the CPSU Central Committee
On sending a Soviet military delegation to the Syrian Arab Republic
Accept the proposal of the Ministry of Defense to send a Soviet military delegation for 15 days in December of this year to the Syrian Arab Republic.
The delegation will consist of Comrades N.P. Smirnov (head of the delegation), V.A. Bogdanov, V.I. Semenchikov, Y A. Metelev, N.I. Vishensky, and I.S. Denisov. Charge the cost of the trip to the Ministry of Defense.
[Drugov]
Results of the vote: [seven signatures]
Copies to comrades [names added by hand]
10 December 1980
———————————————-
[page two, 9 December 1980]
Top Secret
Special File
No 3395
To the CPSU Central Committee
On sending a Soviet military delegation to the Syrian Arab Republic
In accordance with CPSU Central Committee resolution of 15 October 1980 (Pb 219/49), the Ministry of Defense requests permission to send a Soviet military delegation to the Syrian Arab Republic for 15 days: the delegation will consist of Comrades N.P. Smirnov (head of the delegation), V.A. Bogdanov, V.I. Semenchikov, Y A. Metelev, N.I. Vishensky, and I.S. Denisov. The purpose is to examine, on-site, opportunities for the further expansion of military cooperation with the Syrian Arabian Republic.
The trip is funded by the Ministry of Defense. Departure of the delegation is scheduled for December 15 this year.
We believe that, in view of their awareness of especially important information, the request of the Ministry of Defense for a trip to Syria of this group of Soviet military specialists should be supported.
Draft decision of the CC CPSU attached.
[signature] (B. Drugov)
Deputy Head of the Central Committee Administrative Department
“9” December 1980
——————————
[Pages three to nine consist of Central Committee forms filled out with the personal and work data of the six delegation members. Their career details have been omitted in this translation.]
[pages three and four]
To Whom it May Concern
Comrade SMIRNOV Nikolai Ivanovich is recommended for confirmation by the CPSU Central Committee in respect of a trip to the Syrian Arab Republic
Since September 1974 has worked as First Deputy Chief of the Navy, member of the Military Council of the Navy.
Born – 5 October 1917; birthplace – Robtsovo village, Kostroma Region
Ethnicity – Russian; CPSU membership – since 1942; Party card No. 0098323
Graduated where and when – Mikhail Frunze Higher Naval School, 1939; Military Academy of the General Staff, 1959
Specialty – Tactical Naval Operations.
Speaks how many foreign languages – None
Has he ever received a Party reprimand? And if so of what level, when and issued by whom – No
[Military awards …]
Trips Abroad – Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia 1960-1963; India and Pakistan 1969; Sri Lanka 1972; Syria 1976; Finland and Vietnam 1978; Guinea 1980. All trips on official business.
Is the above a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, or member of Party regional committees, etc – Deputy of the USSR Supreme Soviet
Military Rank – Admiral of the Fleet [4-star]
[Details of naval career since 1937]
[signature] (B. Panin)
Instructor of the Central Committee Department of Administrative Bodies
“3” December 1980
—————————–
[page five]
To Whom it May Concern
Comrade BOGDANOV Vladimir Alexeyevich is recommended for confirmation by the CPSU Central Committee in respect of a trip to the Syrian Arab Republic
Since June 1977 has worked as Chief of a section of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff
Born – 22 May 1930; birthplace – Kiev
Ethnicity – Russian; CPSU membership – since 1961; Party card No. 01790210
Graduated where and when – Military Academy of the General Staff, 1973
Specialty – Command Staff.
Speaks how many foreign languages [no entry]
Has he ever received a Party reprimand? And if so of what level, when and issued by whom – No
[Military awards …]
Trips Abroad – Yemen 1976, on official business.
Is the above a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, or member of Party regional committees, etc – No
Military Rank – Major General [1-star]
[Details of military career since 1949]
[signature] (I. Larin)
Instructor of the Central Committee Department of Administrative Bodies
“3” December 1980
———————————-
[pages six and seven]
To Whom it May Concern
Comrade SEMENCHIKOV Vitaly Ivanovich is recommended for confirmation by the CPSU Central Committee in respect of a trip to the Syrian Arab Republic
Since 1971 has worked as Chief of the Operational Directorate of the Air Force General Staff
Born 1 February 1918; birthplace – Kokhma, Ivanovo Region
Ethnicity – Russian; CPSU membership – since 1943; Party card No. 01785063
Graduated, where and when – Krasnodar Air Force School of Pilot-Observers, 1939; Air Force Academy, 1949; Military Academy of the General Staff, 1958.
Specialty – Command Staff of the Air Force.
Speaks how many foreign languages [no entry]
Has he ever received a Party reprimand? And if so of what level, when and issued by whom – No
[Military awards …]
Trips Abroad – East Germany 1958-63; Poland 1963-66 – with Soviet troops
Is the above a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, or member of Party regional committees, etc – No
Military Rank – Air Force Lieutenant-General [2-star]
[Details of military career since 1937]
[signature] (A. Moskalev)
Instructor of the Central Committee Department of Administrative Bodies
“3” December 1980
———————
[page seven]
To Whom it May Concern
Comrade METELEV Yury Alexeyevich is recommended for confirmation by the CPSU Central Committee in respect of a trip to the Syrian Arab Republic
Since October 1973 has worked as Chief of a section of the Operational Directorate of the Navy General Staff
Born 24 August 1926; birthplace – Byki, Kirov Region
Ethnicity – Russian; CPSU membership – since 1952; Party card No. 00973342
Graduated, where and when – M. Frunze Higher Naval School, 1949; Naval Academy, 1963; Military Academy of the General Staff, 1968
Specialty – [not listed]
Speaks how many foreign languages – None
Has he ever received a Party reprimand? And if so of what level, when and issued by whom – No
[Military awards …]
Trips Abroad – Algeria, Syria 1970; Syria 1976; Tunisia, Syria, Yemen 1977. All trips on official business.
Is the above a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, or member of Party regional committees, etc – No
Military Rank – Counter Admiral [1-star]
[Details of naval career since 1945]
[signature] (B. Panin)
Instructor of the Central Committee Department of Administrative Bodies
“3” December 1980
————————
[page eight]
To Whom it May Concern
Comrade VISHENSKY Nikolai Ivanovich is recommended for confirmation by the CPSU Central Committee in respect of a trip to the Syrian Arab Republic
Since October 1968 has worked as Chief of the Operative section, Deputy Chief of the Naval Aviation Staff
Born – 20 May 1922; birthplace – Chernyakhov village, Kiev Region
Ethnicity – Ukrainian; CPSU membership – since 1944; Party card No. 03430065
Graduated, where and when – Naval Aviation School, 1941; Air Force Academy, 1951; Military Academy of the General Staff, 1960.
Specialty – Command Staff.
Speaks how many foreign languages – None
Has he ever received a Party reprimand? And if so of what level, when and issued by whom – No
[Military awards …]
Trips Abroad – Japan 1946; China 1954-1956; Bulgaria 1963; East Germany (1968, 1971); Poland 1968; Egypt 1970; USA (1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979); Syria 1976; Yemen 1978; Ethiopia 1980. All trips on official business.
Is the above a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, or member of Party regional committees, etc – No
Military Rank – Air Force Major General [1-star]
[Details of military career since 1940]
[signature] (B. Panin)
Instructor of the Central Committee Department of Administrative Bodies
“3” December 1980
————————
[page nine]
To Whom it May Concern
Comrade DENISOV Ivan Savelyievich is recommended for confirmation by the CPSU Central Committee in respect of a trip to the Syrian Arab Republic
Since March 1978 has worked as Deputy Chief of the Anti-aircraft Missile Defense Force
Born – 26 January 1931; birthplace – Kryukov homestead, Rostov Region
Ethnicity – Russian; CPSU membership – since 1957; Party card No. 00909090
Graduated, where and when – Anti-aircraft Defense Force Command Academy, 1963
Specialty – Anti-aircraft Defense Command Staff.
Speaks how many foreign languages – None
Has he ever received a Party reprimand? And if so of what level, when and issued by whom – No
[Military awards …]
Trips Abroad – Mongolia, Syria 1979; Angola1980. All trips on official business.
Is the above a deputy of the Supreme Soviet, or member of Party regional committees, etc – No
Military Rank – Major General of the Artillery [1-star]
[Details of military career since 1951]
[signature] (P. Grigoryev)
Instructor of the Central Committee Department of Administrative Bodies
“3” December 1980
——————–
[pages ten and eleven, 22 November 1980]
Barely legible Top Secret letter from the General Staff, signed by N. Ogarkov, requesting approval for the mission to Syria.
=========================
NOTES
In the standard Central Committee forms used in pp. 3-9 the underlined words or text have been added by typewriter.
General
1. Notes and additions by translator and editor are bracketed, thus [ ];
2. Text added by hand is indicated in italic script;
3. when a handwritten phrase, figure or word has been inserted
in a previously typed document it is indicated by underlined italic script.
Translation, Mark Chulsky (July 2010)
The Bukovsky Archives 