ABSTRACT
In the conceptual system of the Soviet Union's foreign policy doctrine, generally all developing countries that have taken a "non-capitalist" path to development are considered states of "socialist orientation." In principle, Cuba—by Soviet standards—was a "state with a socialist orientation" at a relatively low level of development in 1963 when Fidel Castro achieved the official acceptance of his guerilla-republic in the circle of "socialist countries." By acceding to Castro's demands the Soviet Union had embarked upon a risky and difficult partnership. The widespread discussion of numerous conditions to be fulfilled by candidates "of socialist orientation" before they can tackle the building of socialism are evidently addressed to certain target groups within the Soviet functional elites, which possibly represent more aggressive and less scrupulous tendencies. The revolution has triumphed in Ethiopia, and the revolutionary-democratic leadership that has come to power there also chose the path of a profound remodelling of society under the banner of socialist solutions.
