Religion and Soviet foreign policy 1945 - 1970

The study which follows is an attempt to survey a complex and almost entirely neglected aspect of Soviet foreign policy. In a number of conversations with James Fawcett, Director of Studies of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and others on the Chatham House staff, it became apparent that the student of international relations has no readily available access to the contribution which Soviet citizens engaged in religious activities make to the relations of the USSR with other countries and organizations in the international domain. A con sensus quickly developed that this subject warrants attention, for with out some awareness of the comparatively vigorous engagement of Russian religious figures in international life the student of contem porary foreign affairs is inadequately equipped for evaluation of the total range of his subject. This book, then, was undertaken as a modest initial attempt to meet the need..

It should be emphasized, of course, that the present study does not necessarily represent the views of any of the people with whom I have discussed these matters over the years. Quite candidly, any accurate insights which it contains are primarily, if not exclusively, the result of their kindness in sharing their experience with me. So I cannot lay claim to them for myself; but I can (and willingly do) file a claim for exclusive right to any mistaken judgements or distorted evaluations which may have crept into the text. These are my responsibility alone and are in no measure attributable to those with whom I have conferred.