On July 26, 1962, N.S. Khrushchev met with Syrian Ambassador Rafik Asha for a farewell conversation before Asha’s departure to assume a higher post in Syria. Asha expressed deep appreciation for his time in the USSR and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening Soviet-Syrian relations. The discussion covered Syria’s internal challenges, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the dissolution of the Syrian-Egyptian union, with Khrushchev emphasizing continued Soviet support for Syria’s independence and stability.

Khrushchev and Ambassador Ghaleb discuss Soviet-UAR relations, emphasizing cooperation on the Aswan Dam and differing views on the UN “troika” proposal. Khrushchev offers candid criticism of Western influence and advises caution regarding Arab unification efforts, referencing the recent Syrian secession.

Khrushchev and UAR Prime Minister Ali Sabri discuss the challenges of implementing socialism in Egyptian agriculture, focusing on the organization of production, the role of machinery, and the distribution of goods. Khrushchev emphasizes the need for large-scale mechanization to raise productivity and describes Soviet agricultural reforms as a model. Sabri expresses interest in learning from the Soviet experience, particularly regarding agricultural modernization and the integration of socialist principles into the economy.

Andropov gives his views on American and Soviet strategy vis-a-vis the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Document describes Muslim Brotherhood and Communist Party activities in early September 1956, and covers the Suez canal crisis, the Algerian rebels, enmity between the Communists and the Brotherhood, Brotherhood camps in Syria, 1956 elections in Jordan, the Russian delegation's trip to Syria, an alliance between the Ba'ath and the Communists, and a rivalry between the Communists and Kamal Jumblat.

Folder 78 concerns KGB operations against the Syrian embassy in Moscow in the early 1970’s. It begins with brief biographical descriptions of the KGB agents and confidential contacts involved in penetrating the embassy. The Syrian Ambassador, Vhaya Jamil, was targeted by female KGB agents and confidential contacts who were told to express a romantic interest in him, while an official from the embassy’s military procurement bureau was targeted by a KGB agent who enticed the official into engaging in foreign currency speculation. As a result of his actions, the official was expelled from the Soviet Union.

The KGB also used specially organized hunting trips on which agents and confidential contacts developed relations with Ambassador Vhaya. During one such hunting trip the Ambassador revealed the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, Nikolai V. Podgorny would visit Egypt in January 1971 to sign a friendship agreement with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. On a similar occasion on 12 September, 1973, Ambassador Vhaya explained that the short term goal of Middle Eastern leaders was to debunk the myth of Israeli invincibility, while the long term goal of destroying Israel, would have to wait for 5-15 years.

Finally, Ambassador Vhaya became one of the KGB’s confidential contacts on a KGB organized hunting trip codenamed OPERATION T, which was personally approved by KGB Chairman Yuri Andropov. During the trip, a KGB agent was assigned to invite Vhaya to what was purported to be his aunt’s dacha. Subsequently the Ambassador was considered to be a KGB confidential contact.