p The socialist countries are the most fervent opponents of colonialism and the most consistent champions of the national liberation struggle and of the equality and national independence of the oppressed peoples. Opposing imperialist colonial rule and rendering all-out support for the struggle for 73 independence, the world socialist system is a mighty factor expediting the growth of the national liberation movement and the disintegration of the imperialist colonial system. It was no accident that under the direct impact of world socialism and with its all-sided assistance most of the formerly oppressed countries liberated themselves from the colonial yoke after the Second World War.

p African, Asian and Latin American peoples have seen for themselves that they have a loyal friend and a faithful ally in the Soviet Union and the world socialist system. Formerly the imperialists could suppress the liberation movement without hindrance, but today they are compelled to take into account the increased strength of the world socialist system, which by word and action, including armed aid, is helping the peoples not only to win but also defend their independence and to move forward along the, road of peace and progress. In 1956 the Soviet Union and other socialist countries helped the United Arab Republic halt the Anglo-French-Israeli aggression. In 1961 they helped Cuba repel the piratical attack of the U.S. imperialists and their hirelings. With the active support of world socialism India liberated part of its territory (Goa, Daman and Diu) from the Portuguese colonialists, and Indonesia drove the Dutch colonialists out of Western Irian.

p World socialism is helping the liberated countries to strengthen their national armed forces, who protect the peaceful endeavours of the people, their sovereignty and independence. This enables them successfully to withstand imperialist aggression.

p The socialist countries are helping the young sovereign states to build up a national economy and promote science, technology, education and culture, thereby enabling them to put an end to the backwardness inherited from colonialism and finally liberate themselves from the oppression of foreign monopolies. Suffice it to say that some 600 industrial, agricultural and other projects arc at present under construction in Asian and African countries with Soviet assistance.

In addition, the socialist countries are extending financial aid to the developing countries in the form of easyterm credits and loans. The Soviet Union alone has granted these countries credits and other allocations amounting 74 to more than 3,500 million rubles. Furthermore, the socialist states are rendering the developing countries invaluable aid by training national cadres in economy, science, culture and technology. The economic development of the young sovereign countries is furthered by their mutually beneficial trade with the socialist countries. The example of the socialist countries (whose former dependent nationalities have successfully surmounted their economic and cultural backwardness through non-capitalist, socialist development) as well as their far-reaching assistance to the young sovereign states are giving further impetus to national liberation revolutions. In these new countries the consistent tackling of national tasks is resulting in the rise of a modern economy, the formation of a working class, the growth of its organisational and ideological unity, and the consolidation of the progressive forces, thereby creating the material and social prerequisites for their transition to non-capitalist development.