Phase Three

But energy is only one type of lifeblood whose flow can be impeded to squeeze an industrialized economy. It can also be done with essential minerals and metals.

The energy squeeze was not brought about by the Arab oil embargo alone, nor are the Arabs mere Soviet stooges. But the Soviets have been skillfully and deliberately manipulating Arab nationalism (and anything else that came their way) to jeopardize the West's energy supplies. By Sakharov's testimony, the Soviet Politbureau in 1955 made it a deliberate policy to use Arab oil for "making the West more pliable."

Phase Two was the bid for strategic domination of the oil lifelines from the Persian Gulf to the West. This was the feverish build-up of the Soviet navy, and the establishment of Marxist regimes in Yemen, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Angola, and other places, often with the aid of Cuban colonial troops and the East German advisors of a new Afrikakorps.

And now Phase Three: preparing to put the squeeze on strategic minerals, ores and metals. For some time, the Soviets have been importing large quantities of them, including those that they have in abundant supply and in better quality. They are concluding lavish contracts to buy them up throughout the Third World, and since early 1980 they have stopped signing contracts with the West for delivery of crucial metals. For the many details of this pattern we append a reading list; but here is an example. In 1973, the US imported only 41% of its petroleum. It now imports 41% or more of the following (and we list only metals): columbium, manganese, tantalum, cobalt, chromium, platinum, tin, nickle, cadmium, zinc, potassium, selenium, mercury, gold, tungsten, antimony, and silver.

These metals (and other minerals) come mainly from two places: southern Africa and the USSR. The potential shortage has been building while the Carter administration has been stifling mining as doggedly as energy production; while Carter himself derided "our inordinate fear of Communism," and staunchly supported Young's statement that "Cuban troops are stabilizing the situation in Angola."

It is election time and time to look over the voting record of members of Congress on matters of defense.(*)

It is time to send the culprits packing.

* Send 25 cents (or more) for 1980 Voting Index to American Security Council, Washington Communication Centre, Boston, VA 22713.

READING LIST. S.D. Strauss: "Mineral Self Sufficiency," Mining Congress Jrnl., Nov. 79 (also published as booklet)