Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
323154533
label
Foreign Policy - Soviets 1989-1990 [OA 8750]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
323154533
contentType
document
title
Foreign Policy - Soviets 1989-1990 [OA 8750]
citationUrl
identifierLocal
13870-012
collections
Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mark Davis Subject Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
323154533
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
d5bedbf3ab780b56
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Davis, Mark, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1989-1991
OA/ID Number:
13870
Folder ID Number:
13870-012
Folder Title:
Foreign Policy-Soviets, 1989-1990
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
19
2
6
3
Debts Paid, Romania Says
Ceausescu Announces Austerity S Result
By A. D. Horne
rationed, and in many localities
Washington Post Foreign Service
even thèse are unavailable. Meat is
a rarity; soup bones only occasion-
Romanian
leader
Nicolae
ally appear in stores. Decades of
Ceausescu announced this week
financial misplanning and inefficient
that his country, despite an econ-
industrial development have led to
omy that a recent U.S. congression-
the dire condition of the Romanian
al report called the second poorest
economy, making it the poorest in
in Europe, has paid off all of its for-
Europe after Albania.'
eign debts ahead of schedule.
Ceausescu made his announce-
The costs of this accelerated re-
ment on Wednesday to a Communist
Photo copy Preservation
payment program have been mas-
Party Central Committee meeting in
sive. In a recent report on Roman-
Bucharest, the Romanian news agen-
ian. human rights violations, con-
cy Agerpres reported. Ceausescu
gressional Helsinki Commission
rules Romania both as president and
chairmen Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-
as the party's general secretary; his
Md.) and Sen. Dennis DeConcini
wife, Elena, is deputy premier; a son,
(D-Ariz.) wrote:
Nicu, is a regional. party secretary,
"Fuel and electricity have been
and a younger brother, Ilie, is deputy
rationed for years. Staple foods,
defense minister.
including milk, bread and flour, are
See ROMANIA, A24, Col. 1
Komanian Austerity Ends Foreign Debt
ROMANIA, From A21
MILES
concerns. We have lost the Amer-
POLAND
CZECH.
0
200
ican clause for trade," they wrote,
According to Agerpres, Ceausescu
SOVIET UNION
"and a result some of our textile
announced that "at the end of March
AUST
factories have no orders."
Romania fully paid back its foreign
HUNGARY
The ex-officials' letter deplored
debt. This is the outstanding result
ROMANIA
of our people's work," he said, and it
Brasov
Romania's international isolation,
Bucharest
noting that Norway, Denmark- and
proves the might of the Romanian
Portugal have closed their embassies
socialist economy.
YUGOSLAVIA
Black
in Bucharest that the European
Spokesmen for international fi-
BULGARIA
Sea
Community #is unwilling to extend
nancial institutions confirmed that
Adriatic
its trade agreement with Romania,"
Romania has completed paying back
Sea
and that 'all the leaders of the non-
its World Bank and International
ITALY
ALB,
communist nations of Europe refuse
Monetary Fund loans as well as vir-
TURKEY
GREECE
to meet with" Ceausescu.
tually all of its commercial bank
BY CLARICE BORIO-THE WASHINGTON POST
The six former officials also ap-
debts ahead of schedule. But Radio
pealed to Ceausescu to halt the de-
Free Europe quoted financial
struction of Romanian-villages, which
sources as saying that Romania still
exempt itself from the human rights
they called unconstitutional. "Why
owes about $1.5 billion to govern-
provisions of the final agreement
urbanize villages," their letter asked,
ments and international institutions.
signed by a 35-nation Vienna con-
"when you cannot ensure decent con-
Under Ceausescu's one-man rule,
ference reviewing the 1975 Hel-
ditions of urban life in the cities,
Romania halted all foreign borrow-
sinki accords." And in February
namely heating, lighting, transpor-
ing in 1981; when its international
1988, Ceausescu, angry over in-
tation, not to mention food?"
debt stood at about $10.5 billion. By
creasingly close U.S. congressional
When the letter became public
restricting imports, exporting food
scrutiny of Romania's human rights
last month, Ceausescu's response
and rationing food and fuel,
record, unilaterally renounced his
was to arrest one signer's stepson
Ceausescu has been able to accu-
nation's most-favored-nation trad
as an agent of a foreign espionage
mulate foreign exchange funds to
ing status before Congress could
service This month West Ger-
repay debts ahead of schedule.
act to revoke it.
many recalled its ambassador after
At the same time, Ceausescu has
According to Agerpres, however,
he was prevented from taking a
launched vast redevelopment pro-
Ceausescu now has raised the most-
message from Foreign Minister
grams in which historic sections of
favored-nation issue for the first
Hans Dietrich Genscher to another
Bucharest and other cities have
time since last year's renunciation
of the letter's signers, former for-
been razed and their residents
In meetings on Tuesday and Wed-
eign minister Cornel Manescu.
evicted on short notice to make way
nesday with a group of U.S. busi-
Since November 1987, when
for broad avenues and planned new
nessmen visiting Bucharest, the
workers in the city of Brasov de-
apartment buildings.
official news agency said, the Ro-
monstrated against a plan to cut
Ceausescu declared last year that
manian president called most-
their pay if their factories failed to
this "modernization" program would
favored-nation status the "only
meet production targets, there has
extend to the countryside, eliminat-
problem awaiting an appropriate
been little open dissent in Romania.
ing half of Romania's 13,000 villages
solution." Without most-favored-na-
The State Department's latest
and moving their residents to new
tion status, some Romanian exports
annual human rights report noted
agro-industrial centers. The plan
to the United States are subject to
that free speech is "severely restrict-
has prompted international protests,
prohibitively high tariffs.
ed," that "all citizens are required to
culminating in last month's vote by
In an open letter to Ceausescu
have residence permits and may not
the U.N. Human Rights Commission
this winter, six former officials, in-
legally move from one town to an-
to appoint a special investigator.
cluding two ex-members of the par-
other and that "serial numbers and
Romania has rejected the U.N.
ty Politburo, a former foreign min-
typeface samples of all typewriters
investigation as "brutal interfer-
ister and a former ambassador to
must be registered with the author-
ence" in its affairs, In a similar
Washington, listed the loss of most-
ities, and the use of duplicating ma-
move in January, Romania sought to
favored-nation status among their
chines is strictly regulated."
THE SUMMIT
AMERICA ABROAD
Strobe Talbott
THE FEAR OF WEIMAR RUSSIA
MOSCOW
Eastern Europe. Now it looked as though Soviet power might
T
he most contentious issue of this week's summit may
be humiliated even within the borders of the U.S.S.R. Marshal
also be the most important foreign policy challenge fac-
Sergei Akhromeyev, Gorbachev's personal military adviser,
ing the U.S. in the '90s: how to keep the peace in Eu-
bluntly said that no setback would be more galling than "see-
rope now that the cold war is over. George Bush not only
ing our East German allies defect to NATO.' Yevgeni Prima-
wants to preserve NATO, with a united Germany as a full
kov, one of Gorbachev's closest associates on the Presidential
member and U.S. troops on its soil; he also wants the Soviet
Council, agreed in a conversation a few weeks ago: "A united
Union to like the idea. In his TIME interview, Mikhail Gorba-
Germany in NATO is something we just can't swallow."
chev dismissed as "not serious" (a scathing put-down in the
A high Foreign Ministry official explains why. "Having
lexicon of Soviet diplomacy) the notion that a strengthened
East Germany leave the Warsaw Pact-that's one thing. It
NATO will replace a disintegrating Warsaw Pact as the guaran-
means we've lost the cold war. Okay. We can accept that, al-
tor of the U.S.S.R.'s security.
though it's not so easy. But
Gorbachev was rebutting
having our enemies of the '40s,
an argument that American
ALAIN LIAISON
the Germans, join our enemies
officials dare not make in pub-
of the '50s, '60s and '70s in an
lic and are circumspect about
alliance whose whole reason
making even in private. Their
for being is anti-Soviet-that
winks and nods, euphemisms
makes us feel as though we lost
and disclaimers can be trans-
World War II."
lated into one stark sentence
Then comes a telling refer-
that summarizes the only truly
ence, frequently echoed in
strategic thought the U.S.
Moscow, to the aftermath of
Government has about the
World War I: "The U.S. and
21st century: a Germany "an-
the West must not rub our
chored" in NATO is less likely
noses too much in our defeat;
to cause trouble than one that
it must not impose on us at the
is neutral and nonaligned.
end of the 20th century a ver-
Note the verb, with its meta-
sion of the Treaty of Versailles
phorical suggestion not only of
that caused SO much trouble at
safety from rough seas but also
the beginning. We don't want
of a heavy chain and benevo-
to feel like Weimar Germany.
lent captivity.
And you shouldn't want us to."
Even in their most confi-
Not even in private will a patri-
dential communications with
West Germany's Genscher and the U.S.S.R.'s Shevardnadze
otic Soviet finish that thought:
the Kremlin, U.S. policymak-
discussing the role of a new Germany in a new Europe
the Weimar Republic gave way
ers and diplomats have been
to Hitler's Third Reich. Yet
careful not to make this pitch too explicit. They are afraid the
that is what some Soviets seem to have in mind. They fear not
KGB may make mischief between Washington and Bonn by
only the worst from Germany's past but also something just as
leaking any cable or memorandum that reveals Americans to
bad that may lurk in their own future. These twin dreads inter-
be exploiting Soviet anxiety about Germany. There is nothing
act powerfully, if not quite logically. As Gorbachev at least tac-
cryptic about the apprehension of the British, French,
itly acknowledges, in his country rationality is as scarce as soap
Czechoslovaks and Poles as they watch the juggernaut of Ger-
these days. The outside world is a mirror into which Soviets
man unification. The Bush Administration keeps hoping the
look and wince.
Kremlin will therefore not object too strenuously as the U.S.
What can they do to stop the U.S. from ramming its own
helps sponsor the emergence of a new Germany at the center
answer to the German question down their throats? "Noth-
of a new NATO.
ing," admits a close Gorbachev adviser. "But the outcome will
At the beginning of the year, the Administration was
influence our approach on many other matters. If the old Ger-
counting on the summit to help advance its German policy.
man Democratic Republic joins NATO, the Soviet military will
The meeting, predicted one presidential adviser, was going to
be harder for all of us, including Gorbachev, to deal with on a
be "Christmas in spring," with Bush in the role of Santa Claus.
variety of other issues." That presumably refers to the many is-
Gorbachev would go home in triumph, laden with SO many
sues of nuclear and conventional arms control that will not be
honors and agreements that his countrymen would barely no-
resolved at the summit this week.
tice he had let the U.S. have its way on Germany.
Washington's response is predictable: Oh, that's just Gor-
Then the Lithuanian crisis complicated the work of Santa's
bachev letting his marshals and generals play the bad cops.
helpers in Washington and steeled resistance in Moscow. The
But George Bush may find that on this subject there are no
top brass of the military was already upset about "losing"
good cops in the Soviet Union.
36
TIME, JUNE 4, 1990
WE MADE
CLOSE
COMFORTABLE.
Norelco's patented "Lift
and Cut™™ shaving system
gives you a shave that is skin
close-without the blades
even touching your skin.
As the hair enters the chamber
The system lifts each hair
A split second before a blade cuts it.
The continuous precision-
cutting action of dozens
of lifters and self-sharpening
blades-at thousands of
revolutions per minute-
gives you a shave like none
other.
The Norelco® Lift and Cut
shaver. What makes it close,
makes it comfortable.
ONoreico®
®
600RX AND CUT
AND CUT
95ORX
© 1989 Norelco Consumer Products Company,
CINOREICO
A Division of North American Philips Corporation, Stamford, CT 06904
UNoreico
Geneva, July 18-23, 1955. Soviet Chairman of the Council of
Ministers Nikolai Bulganin, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden,
President Dwight Eisenhower, and French Premier Edgar Faure.
Issues:
1) German reunification.
2) Withdrawal of U.S. and Soviet troops from Europe.
3) Nuclear and conventional disarmament.
4) An "Open Skies" proposal by the U.S. to allow spy
flights over the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Camp David, Maryland, September 25-27, 1959. Dwight
Eisenhower and Soviet Communist Party First Secretary Nikita
Khrushchev.
Issues:
1) The status of Berlin.
2) A future "Big Four" summit of Britain, France, the
Soviet Union, and the United States to discuss lowering
tensions in East-West relations.
Paris, May 16-17, 1960. French President Charles de Gaulle,
Dwight Eisenhower, Nikita Khrushchev, and British Prime Minister
Harold MacMillan.
Issue:
Intended as a discussion of ways to reduce East-West ten-
sions, the conference broke up when Khrushchev walked
out after Eisenhower refused to "apologize" for sending a
U-2 spy plane into Soviet airspace. It had been shot down
by the Soviets on May 1, 1960.
Vienna, June 3-4, 1961. President John Kennedy and Nikita
Khrushchev.
Issue:
The status of Berlin.
Glassboro, New Jersey, June 23-25, 1967. President Lyndon
Johnson and Soviet Chairman of the Council of Ministers Aleksei
Kosygin.
Issues:
1) The Arab-Israeli conflict.
2) Soviet support for the communist insurgency in South
Vietnam.
4
THE ROAD TO WASHINGTON
The road to the Washington summit of 1990 has been a long one. The
Bush-Gorbachev meeting in Washington is the nineteenth since
President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill, and Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin first met in 1943 to chart
the post-World War II international order. The milestones of
U.S.-Soviet summits over the past 47 years are:
Tehran, November 28 - December 1, 1943. Winston Churchill,
Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin.
Issues:
1) Agreement on the invasion of Nazi-occupied France
by Britain, Canada, and the U.S. The date was set for May
1944 and later moved to June 1944.
2) The post-war Polish-German and Soviet-Polish bor-
ders.
Yalta, February 4-11, 1945. Winston Churchill, Franklin
Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin.
Issues:
1) Allied administration of a defeated Germany, includ-
ing zones of occupation.
2) Agreement on Poland's new eastern borders.
3) The "Declaration on Liberated Europe," which called
for free elections in Eastern Europe.
4) The Soviet Union's entry into the war against Japan
ninety days after Germany's surrender.
5) Creation of the United Nations.
Potsdam, Germany, July 17 - August 2, 1945. Winston Churchill,
President Harry Truman and Joseph Stalin (Midway through the
summit, Churchill was replaced by Clement Atlee, the Labor leader
who defeated Churchill in the July 25, 1945, British elections).
Issues:
1) The administration of occupation zones in Germany.
2) A new German-Polish border.
3) German war reparations.
4) The surrender ultimatum to Japan.
5) Forms of government in Eastern Europe.
3
Gelb account
If Winston Churchill had not already called Russia a riddle
wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, many Soviets might be
tempted today to use the phrase to describe their view of the
United States. In any event, they are striving mightily to
penetrate this veil of mystery to learn how America works. This
is a remarkable turn-around from the days when Soviet officials
claimed to know exactly how we operated -- the ruling circles
and the military-industrial complex squeezed profits out of the
hapless worker and that was that. Like a dead mackerel in the
moonlight, they said, capitalism shines and stinks.
While these canards are probably still quacking lustily over
some parts of the Soviet Union, I did not hear them from a wide
and diverse group of Soviet government and party officials,
intellectuals and cultural figures that I met with on my recent
trip. In fact, I heard the opposite.
First, that America "works." It works in the economic sense --
the standard of living is high, the stores are filled with
goods, there are no orchards in Central Park but somehow the
millions of people who live and work in Manhattan get orange
juice every morning. America also works in the political and
social sense. One Soviet put it this way:
There are things in America which you take for granted which are
burning issues for us. You have lobbyists and powerful interest
groups in your country and yet the voice of the people can
always be heard. How do you do that? You have a constitution
that has lasted more than two centuries with just a handful of
amendments. We're working on our fourth constitution in 72
years. How do you do that?
Second, although Soviets may always have had an abundance of
facts and figures about us at their fingertips, they have not
understood what makes it all hang together; they have not seen
the soul in the American body politic.
I have been impressed in my meetings, official and unofficial,
here and in Moscow and in Tbilisi, with Soviet willingness, even
eagerness, to do business with the United States. Whether the
field is educational exchange, agriculture, the working of
parliamentary commissions or the nuances of constitutional law
-- almost no American proposal is rejected out of hand. Soviets
are ready to talk, to discuss and very often to act in
surprisingly open ways.
Two threads run through all of the conversations and requests --
one is the need for information, the other is the need for
"know-how." Like people after a drought, Soviets thirst for
facts, data, figures -- for information -- about what is going
on in the world around them. Soviets want to know how we do
what we do. They ask for pamphlets, books, speakers, seminars,
exhibits, satellite television programs, radio programs -- every
possible means of communication -- to explain the basic
mechanisms and values of American society and politics. Many of
the most urgent calls are for assistance with "gut" issues --
food, housing, medicine. The Soviet Union has the same basic
resources we do -- they have arable land, they have timber for
houses, they have concrete factories without end, they have
physicians and scientists the equal of any. But Soviets look at
the end product and see in America a much higher standard of
living -- better housing, a better and more varied diet, better
and more sophisticated health care. Clearly, something
different is going on. It is this "something different" that
Soviets want to learn.
These trends -- openness to discussion, desire for information,
eagerness to learn -- are certainly positive. The sheer volume
of such requests, the eloquence with which they are stated and
the historical implications for Soviet society should not,
however, deafen us to several troubling notes that sound
throughout this dialogue.
First, of course, is that we have no interest in helping Soviet
authorities to merely modernize or streamline their control.
Our interest is and can only be in honest, permanent, systemic
change toward freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Second,
the danger continues of equating information with
understanding. The new, more accurate information ushered in by
glasnost still does not guarantee understanding or respect for
the American system, nor the variety of news and independence of
thought that identifies a healthy society.
I believe that many Soviets think that "how-to" information will
somehow magically make their troubles go away. As we Americans
know all too well, there is no magic wand. Americans have not
had it "easy," and American history is not a smooth,
uninterrupted procession of a nation from one triumph to another
and to ever higher levels of prosperity for all. It is not
enough for the people of the USSR to have the tools, they must
also understand the spirit that animates the craftsman and the
artist.
Without asking or expecting the Soviets to abandon their values
or traditions -- we must, nonetheless, ask and expect them to
begin to foster and appreciate the values of individuality,
freedom and entrepreneurship. In short -- the spirit of America
is what they must grasp.
We don't plan to sell them the legendary rope with which they
will hang us and we have no magic wand to wave over their
troubles and so dispel them -- what we can and are offering now
is our hand.
STRATEGIC REVIEW, Spring 1989
5-2-89 (Pre-publication copy)
A "COMMON EUROPEAN HOUSE" -
OR A NEW DESIGN FOR SOVIET HEGEMONY?
SOL W. SANDERS
THE AUTHOR: Sol Sanders was Senior Editor for Business
Week from 1979 to 1986, following journalistic assignments
that included coverage of the Vietnam war for U.S. News
& World Report (1962-1970). His articles on a broad range
of international and economic topics have appeared
regularly in such publications as the Wall Street Journal
and Christian Science Monitor. His book, Mexico: Chaos on
Our Doorstep, was published by Madison Books in 1986.
He is currently working on a book on the subject of Soviet
economic dependence on the West.
IN BRIEF
A report-card on Mikhail Gorbacheu's reforms in the Soviet Union thus far reveals the
them. Gorbachev has acquitted himself as a supreme tactician in the Lenin mold, but tactics alone
enormity of the problems confronting the regime and the lack of headway being made against
are not likely to bring about solutions nor to sustain him in power. Implicit in Gorbacheu's "new
thinking" are the outlines of à larger strategy designed to secure for the Soviet Union the
steady flow of technological "transfusions" imperative for a rescue of the system. The target of
that strategy is Western Europe; it is to be achieved through a political-economic process in
which the satellite nutions of Eastern and Central Europe are assigned a leading role.
N
oncommunist Western elites have
and frustrated hope - trace a recurrent histor-
deceived themselves about the funda-
ical pattern, we have to look in all prudence
mental nature of the Soviet regime,
with consequences ranging from deleterious to
to that history as an illuminant of the contem-
disastrous, in at least. four historical periods:
porary Soviet stage, or at least the parts of that
stage visible to us.
immediately after the Russian October Rev-
olution, in the "Popular Front" phase of
It may, indeed, be that we are witnessing an
Stalin's foreign policy in the 1930s, during the
entirely new departure in Soviet - and Russian
Soviet Union's cobelligerency with the West in
- history. Certainly spectacular, in some in-
World War II, and in the detente of the 1970s.1
stances unprecedented, events are unfolding.
Historical analogies are odious, we are told.
A young, dynamic leadership has taken over
Nevertheless, especially when experience -
in Moscow. A new openness has taken hold of
the Soviet media. Unprecedented criticism of
SOL W. SANDERS
360 W. 36th Street-12th Fl.
New York, NY 10018
Tel. (212) 714-9661
5/12/89
Mark 1
ph Our leteplone
convernation -
hope to see you
to take one
day soon -
DAY-TIMERS RE-ORDER No. 26005 Soe - Printed in USA
sa-2
the past has appeared.' Communist Party Chief
Mikhail Gorbachev has acknowledged an eco-
into a lumbering system, along with merely
nomic crisis of well-righ catastrophic propor-
tactical adaptations in the global Soviet offen-
tions in the Soviet Union, and promised a
sive?* Should we help Gorbachev? Indeed, how
revolutionary approach to its resolution. He has
might we do so, were that desirable?
gone beyond the traditional denunciation of
"class enemies" in identifying systemic stag-
Framework for Analysis
nation and pervasive public lethargy as the care
of that crisis.
Our speculation can be reduced basically to
four categories:
Foreigners have been welcomed in the Soviet
Union as at no time since World War II, perhaps
1. Who is Gorbachev, and what can we deduce
not since the period of Lenin's New Economic
about his motivations? Given the still highly
Policy (NEP) in the 1920s. Soviet spokesmen.
centralized power structure in the USSR, the
have admitted backwardness in political as well
leadership personality factor remains a signifi-
cant one.
as economic sectors and invited Western cooper-
ation in mutually beneficial programs to im-
2. What are Gorbachev's possibilities? That
prove their benighted society. On the foreign
is, after defining perestroika and glasnost in
Soviet terms, what are the odds for success or
policy front, Gorbachev not only has opened a
failure of his reforms?
new detente vis-a-vis the West, but dramatized
it with a dazzling campaign of personal
3. Most important for the "help Gorbachev"
diplomacy and unilateral concessions in dis-
option, what is behind his "new thinking"
armament that have been enthusiastically
offensive vis-a-vis the West? Is it a desperate
received by Western publics, particularly in
cry for assistance in propping up a degenerating
Western Europe.
system? Is it a genuine retrenchment of Soviet
global power and objectives in behest of "build.
To many Western intellectuals, Gorbachev's
ing socialism [however redefined from Stalin's
drive for reforms and his "new thinking" in for-
days] in one country"? Or does it reflect a
eign policy beckon with the fulfillment of a
hope that has endured virtually since the
strategy designed to bridge the Soviet Union's
Bolshevik takeover in 1917 - namely, that the
weaknesses with its historic objectives in the
world-at-large?
system imposed by Lenin might at last be as-
4. Finally, if Gorbachev personally were to
suming a "human face," and that its regime
"fail," what would be the likely options for
is shedding age-old revolutionary aims enroute
to becoming a "responsible" member of the
those who succeeded him in Soviet leadership?
Failure, of course, would have to be defined in
international community. For these observers,
Soviet, not Western, terms. Hence we have com-
and they range from historian-diplomat George
pleted the circle back to the questions of the
F. Kennan' to journalists like the economics
leadership's motivations as well as Gorbachev's
columnist Hobart Rowen of the Washington
actions.
Post,4 the message for the West is that it must
"help" Gorbachev in his excrutiatingly difficult
There is some prior "homework" that any
such assessment requires. We need to invoke
reform experiment. Not to do so, we are told,
two basic sets of historical memories. The most
could result in the failure of Gorbachev's "revo-
obvious, perhaps, but the one most often lost
lution from above" and a return to the Soviet
system of tryanny at home and belligerence
sight of in the optimism generated by present
abroad.
events, concerns the past nature of the Soviet
If this is, indeed, an option for Western policy
regime. John Dziak has perhaps put it best
when he characterized the Soviet Union and its
- and there is increasing pressure on U.S.
leadership to adopt it - how do we go about
regime as "the counter-intelligence state.' The
assaying both its validity and prudence amid
communists, building on Tsarist traditions,
the avalanche of reports from the Soviet Union?
have devoted more time, energy and resources
Is the fundamental nature of the Soviet regime
than any other regime in history to presenting
really changing? Is history repeating itself: may
a false reality to their own people and to the
these not be like previous "reforms" which
outside world. Glasnost notwithstanding, there
turned out to be only adjustments in internal
is little evidence that deception as an ingrained
totalitarian controls and efforts to "shake life"
method of rulership and its outward projection
has been seriously eroded.*
sa-3
That is not to consign everything that is said
NEP undoubtedly saved the Soviet regime from
or observed in Gorbachev's Soviet Union to con-
early collapse." Then in the early 1930s,
spiracy, disinformation or the "Potemkin Vil-
American machine tools shipments - at times
lage" syndrome, nor to minimize the genuine
75 per cent of U.S. exports - and engineers
confusion in the wake of his reform drive. But
were essential in helping Stalin build "social-
we must never lose sight of the fact that Gor-
ism in one country." German-Soviet economic
bachev springs from the heart of the Soviet
exchanges during the brief period of the Hitler-
security apparatus, and as such expresses its
Stalin Pact helped sustain the Soviets' "forced
sophisticated view of the inadequacies of the
march to industrialization." The $13 billion (a
system at the same time that he defends its
minimal estimate) of American Lend-Lease and
basic premises.
other wartime and postwar deliveries were crit-
A second and admittedly more ambiguous
ical to the rebuilding of the postwar USSR. The
assignment of historical "homework" concerns
boon of dismantled German industry, added to
the Soviet system's economic relations with the
the bounty from the now captive nations of
West. Unless we view all new economic data
Eastern Europe - particularly Czechoslovakia
emanating from Moscow as disinformation,
as a then world-class industrial power - played
much of what has been assumed in the past
a crucial role in Soviet economic growth in the
concerning the Soviet economy must now be
1950s. And shipments of Western equipment
reevaluated.' One clear implication is that con-
during the detente of the 1970s helped the
ventional wisdom has long underestimated the
Soviets through another crisis, particularly in
extent to which the Soviets have been econom-
ground transport."
ically dependent on the West - not only on im.
Yet to come is the enormous task of winnow.
ported Western technology, but Western trade"
ing out much of the new information flowing
and capital transfers."
from Moscow." It seems certain to produce a
Current data aside, empirical hindsight to the
revisionist macroeconomic picture of the Soviet
dismal record of Sovie attempts to graft their
Union as important as the recent recasting of
economic system onto other societies, many of
past estimates concerning Soviet resources go-
them more developed than had been Tsarist
ing into the military.1*
Russia, confirms that stagnation is endemic to
the Soviet system.1 One can argue that the
Soviet Union, ever since 1917, has limped
Roots of the Crisis
through cyclical economic crises which were
The present Soviet economic crisis can thus
obscured behind the high walls around the sys-
be seen as only the latest in a series of crises,
tem. Indeed, a strong case can be lodged for the
albeit as the most complex and perhaps deepest
proposition that the Soviet economy has sur-
in that series. It is clear that arranging the
vived thus far thanks largely to recurrent
necessary Western transfers of resources is Gor-
"transfusions" from the West.
bachev's highest strategic priority, animating
The effect of these "transfusions" has been
much of what he says and does. These two
underestimated in large part because Western
guidelines - the continued play of Soviet tradi-
observers have been beguiled by another part
tional arts of deception, and the high priority
of the "Potemkin Village" - in this case,
given to desperately needed transfers from the
Moscow's steady propaganda regarding the
West - are the framework on which to hang
autarchic nature of the Soviet economy. If Stalin
an analysis of perestroika.
contended that he was "building socialism in
It may be, as British Prime Minister Mar-
one country," if the sacrifices were enormous but
garet Thatcher has contended, that "Gorbachev
the results substantial, was one not to conclude
is a man one can do business with." But that
that the task had been mastered by the Soviets
"business" could be meaningful only if the West
alone? Furthermore, with no empirical evidence
recognizes that we are not dealing with a
except "cooked" Soviet: statistics," it was dif-
Western-style reformer or one in the Russian
ficult to gain a picture of the true magnitude
religious tradition. There is no evidence in Gor-
of the contributions of Western technology, trade
bachev's background to suggest anything but
and even finance to the system."
the apotheosis of a Party aparatchik in the
As Antony C. Sutton has demonstrated, the
Brezhnev era which he so bitterly criticizes."
"transfusion" of technology during Lenin's
Nor is there any evidence to suggest that we
sa-4
are dealing with that rare individual who has
of living, increased corruption in every aspect
experienced a "Saul-on-the-road-to-Damascus"
of the society, and growing disparities and fric-
conversion.20 "It cannot be entirely precluded
tions among regional and ethnic populations.
that he is a type of Soviet 'closet liberal,' at
Especially since the Soviets have been so
least in economics and foreign policy. Human
history abounds in oddities, and Gorbachev's
remarkably successful in masking defects and
failures in the military, one can only speculate
'closet liberalism' could conceivably be one of
about the extent to which the corrosives of pub-
them" write two Soviet analysts. "[But]
lic lethargy, corruption and other societal ills
what we have seen 80 far is most probably what
have seeped into the Soviet military-industrial
we are likely to get in the future. Gorbachev
machine itself, notwithstanding its privileged
is a problem solver, a tenacious competitor and,
status. What does seem clear is that this
in the Soviet context, a pragmatist."
military-industrial machine, with or without
That "pragmatism" reflects the knowledge,
those debilitations, confronts the daunting
shared by perhaps a minority of the elite when
challenge of what is acknowledged as a tech-
he took power, that if the trends of the Brezh-
nological "revolution in military affairs." Prob-
nev years were to continue, certain catastrophe
ably uppermost in that challenge, literally as
lies ahead. For, despite whatever advances the
well as figuratively, is the dimension of space
Soviets managed in the "global correlation of
warfare. James M. McConnell has made the
forces" during the two Brezhnev decades, the
persuasive, if circumstantial, case that the in-
long-term outlook for the Soviet economy was
ternal debate in Moscow that culminated in
grim. Growth was declining. Hidden inflation
Gorbachev's perestroika was triggered by Presi-
was rising along with a runaway budget. The
dent Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative,
technological gap with the West was widening.
which directly confronted the men in the Krem-
Food production and distribution were worsen-
lin not only with a new round of technological
ing. Moscow was forced to borrow in the West
competition with the United States, but also
to cover the growing Soviet balance-of-
with a foreboding picture of the technological
payments deficit. There was little to sell abroad
demands on superpower into the Twenty-First
except oil and gold, and both commodities were
Century.**
under international price-pressures.
All of these and other factors account for an
But the root of this crisis is deeper. it lies in
unprecedented Party debate over "revolution-
the growing failure of that very systemic
ary" economic changes, probably the most
anomaly that, paradoxically, had enabled the
intense and fundamental since the 1920s.
Soviet Union to ascend to superpower status in
Perhaps it is precisely this parallel that
the global arena. That structure is Moscow's
prompts Gorbachev to speak often about a
two-compartment economic system, in which
return to "Leninist principles." Gorbachev has
the bulk of resources has gone to the military,
other motives for invoking the ghost of Lenin,
while the civilian sector has been kept in per-
including the obvious ritual imperative of
manent austerity. Increasingly the Moscow
conferring legitimacy on his regime. Yet, there
planners have been finding cracks in the bulk.
may be as well some more specific and personal
head that was supposed to separate these two
reasons why Gorbachev would want to identify
economies in a Stalinist model. A telling
with the founder of the Soviet state. More than
example is in the degeneration of health facil-
any of the other figures in the iconography of
ities in the Soviet Union to a dangerous level,
communism, Lenin symbolizes the risk-taker,
with the consequence of lowered longevity for
the gambler prepared to wager everything on
men and rising infant mortality. Public health
wresting and preserving power - the ultimate
affects the entire manpower pool and thus
tactician willing to execute 180-degree turns in
breaks down the theoretical separation of the
order to maintain the system and that power.
military and civilian nectors, even in a totali-
It is significant that Gorbachev has referred
tarian society." More generally, over time it
specifically to Lenin's advocacy of a separate
becomes difficult, if not impossible, to insulate
peace with Imperial Germany in World War I,
the military establishment from rampant mal-
which was opposed by virtually all the other
aise in the civilian sector - from shortages in
Bolshevik leaders, "because he was guided by
consumer goods paralleling those in the worst
vital, not immediate, interest, the interest of
years after World War II, a plunging standard
the working class as a whole, of the revolution,
sa-5
and the future of socialism." And it was Lenin
velopment, and ideological in the sense that the
who, near death, sanctioned a swing away from
what was later to be labeled, apologetically,
huge state farms do not perform adequately
and should be abandoned.' But even if Gor-
"war communism" in reality, the application
of utopian socialist concepts to what remained
bachev wins the ideological battle, it is increas-
of the Tsarist economy.
ingly apparent that the rural population is far
from eager to take up the cudgels for a self-
supporting and risk-taking agriculture.
Cultural Barriers to Success
Increasingly Western observers believe that
there is another cultural problem more difficult
It has become almost a cliche to posit that the
barriers to Gorbachev's perestroika are enor-
of solution: the legacy of the incredible slaughter
of Russian and Ukrainian peasantry - first
mous. Some aspects of the problem would be
during the Civil War of the 1920s, then in the
difficult to delineate even in a Western context
famines before and after Stalin's anti-kulak
where detailed information is readily available
campaign and forced collectivization, followed
and where there in no deliberate disinfor-
by the killings during the German invasion of
mation.
World War II and the guerrilla combat that ac-
Not the least of these barriers springs from
companied it. The demoralization of rural so-
a Russian economic history which antedates
ciety is nowhere more in evidence than in the
the Soviet experiment - a history marked by
black soil belt of Soviet Europe, where agricul-
the dearth of an entrepreneurial tradition.
tural productivity should be at its highest."
Capitalism came to Russia - if, indeed, it came
There are myriad additional cultural factors
at all in its West European forms - very late
equally difficult to quantify. Thus, for exam-
and under the dominance of foreign merchants
ple, the lower birthrate and labor shortages in
and investors. On the eve of the Revolution a
European Russia, as opposed to the higher
third of Russia's industrial investment and a
birthrates and abundance of manpower in Mos-
half of the bank capital were of foreign origin."
lem Central Asia, present a continuing dilem-
Richard Pipes writes: "The result of technolog-
ma. Central Asians, often without the Russian
ical innovation was al peculiar blend of modern
language, are largely unwilling to emigrate to
technology imported from the West and servile
areas where industry is located, but they are
labor inherited from Muscovy, a mixture which
providing an increasing percentage of soldiers
contradicted the 19th Century belief that in-
for the Soviet Armed Forces. Migration from
dustrialism and bondage were incompatible."
Siberia, where most untapped natural re-
That cultural heritage, which 70 years of com-
sources are located, may no longer be greater
munism have only intensified, is what Gor-
than migration into the region, as it was dur.
bachev must overcome.
ing most of the post-World War II period. so But
There are other legacies. Nowhere do the
older communities in Siberia are still losing
dilemmas confronting Gorbachev's reforms ap-
population. And the continuing rapid turnover
pear more acute than in agriculture - not only
of able-bodied workers who absorb the costly
because the food shortage has grown more crit-
subsidies to Siberia, but remain only two or
ical in Soviet cities but also because grain im-
three years before returning to Soviet Europe,
ports are an increasing burden on the already
is expensive and inefficient.
overtaxed ability to earn foreign exchange. The
U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that
the Soviets will purchase some 23 million tons
Squaring the Circle
of corn and other coarse grains in the year end-
Gorbachev's answer- and it must be noted
ing July 1989, making up for a smaller-than-
that his announced specific goals and targets
usual grain harvest in 1987-1988.
have fluctuated widely since he first publicly
The "agro-conundrum" has proved intract-
unveiled perestroika in 1985** - appears to be
able for generations of communist leadership.
what some braver communist ideologues have
Western experts have seen the problem as
called "market socialism." As Vadim Medvedev
primarily one of science and ideology - scien-
put it, shortly after he was promoted last fall
tific in the need for new seed varieties, fertil.
to chief ideologue in the Politburo replacing
izers, insecticides, mechanization, etc., all
Gorbachev's arch-competitor Ligachev: "The
products of capital-intensive research and de-
market in our present day circumstances is an
sa-6
indispensable means of flexibly regulating
2. An effort has been made to harness the
production with growing and ever-changing
notoriously successful activities of the black
social need. Until recent times, the entire com-
market, labeling them "cooperatives" in order
plexity and multidin ensional nature of the
to remove their stigma. Not only has Gor-
processes of socialist construction were reduced
bachev met resistance from the Party orthodox,
to the idea of developing socialist property -
but the marginal success of these new "cooper-
with 8 simultaneous artificial restriction on
atives" has largely had the consequence of en-
cooperative and personal ownership."
hancing the higher living standards enjoyed by
But there is a basic contradiction 80 long as
the nomenklatura in restaurants, coffee shops,
planning in the communist state remains an
automobile repairs, etc., adding to the general
apparatus for allocating physical resources - as,
public resentment.
for example, the Hungarians, under much better
3. An anti-corruption campaign was launched
conditions, have found out in the past decade."
to increase efficiency. In reality, it has been
An emigre agronomist. writes: "The planning
used successfully to replace large numbers of
system inherited by Mikhail Gorbachev at the
Brezhnev-era bureaucrats. This purge has been
time of his accession to power in March 1985
the most rapid since Stalin's day, but it has al-
is the same basic two-tiered system with two
ready included some Gorbachev appointees as
main functional subsystems - one to plan out-
well. Still, the campaign particularly against
put and the other to distribute productive
income from "moonlighting" almost brought
resources - that had existed for decades.'
peasant markets to a virtual standstill by
When more radical reformers associated with
mid-1986 and had to be toned down," as was
Gorbachev propose to abolish the whole system,
the anti-vodka campaign, which reaped bitter
they are met with the firm opposition of the
resentment among the populace, along with a
bureaucracy and the conservative ideologues.
sharp rise in illicit liquor-production and a
In 1987 the plenary session of the Central Com-
sugar shortage.
mittee of the Communist Party of the Soviet
4. Self-financing for enterprises (khozraschet)
Union accepted a much more compromised
is perhaps the most ambitious of Gorbachev's
line of "reform." Professor Nikolai Petrakov,
attempted innovations: it sets out to end the
Deputy Director of the Soviet Institute of Eco-
virtual unlimited funding deficits of the state-
nomics and Mathematics, told a recent Moscow
owned enterprises, which have spurred run-
meeting of the International Economic Associ-
away inflation. According to all indications,
ation that the proposed price reforms were sim-
this reform has thus far been a total failure:
ply a repetition of "the old management," and
managers continue blithely to produce what
that supply and demand still would not be
they deem "necessary for balancing the econ-
allowed to determine prices.*
omy." That failure is, at least in part, the in-
evitable result of the postponement into the
indefinite future of a real price-reform, the
A Perestroika Report-Card
elimination of subsidies, etc."
In assaying Gorbachev's possibilities of suc-
5. Although the Western press has reported
cess from the welter of contradictory statements
that industrial capacity and resources from the
and various decrees, we can infer some broad
Soviet military-industrial sector are being
objectives. The following is a report-card on
diverted to consumer goods, there is little evi-
perestroika thus far in the light of those
dence to substantiate such a shift.' Soviet mili-
objectives:
tary factories have produced consumer products
1. Light and consumer industry was to be
in the past, and continue to do 80.40 Yet, any
given relative freedom to determine what it
reallocation of resources from military to
would produce, how it would produce it and how
civilian production runs up against the very in-
it would be distributed Four years later in
flexibilities of the Soviet system that perestroi-
1989, the lines are longer, there is rationing
ka is supposed to redress.
of meat and dairy products in a third of the Rus-
Those are some of the salient entries in a
sian Republic (more than 50 per cent of the
report-card on perestroika thus far. More gener-
population), sugar rationing has been imposed
ally, one must go along with the conclusion
in Moscow and inflation is rising. The popula-
reached by two analysts after an exhaustive
tion is promised no relief until at least 1994.
study of the Gorbachev years: "In the light of
sa-7
Gorbachev's performance in power, his biog.
can football shaking off would-be tacklers -
raphy, and the nature of the Soviet political
while consolidating his personal power.
system, the overwhelming evidence argues
There is a more ennobling image of "Gor-
that he has no desire to change the system
through any fundamental reform and that he
bachev, the ultimate tactician" - one probably
more widespread among Western observers.
is merely seeking ways of making the exist-
ing system work more effectively. 7741 Or, as The
This shows Gorbachev as a man who has recog-
Economist put it recently: "Each change of
nized the desperate ills of the Soviet system,
has discerned the solutions to those ills, and
course makes it that much harder for Mr. Gor-
bachev to persuade Russians to take his poli-
will spare no tactics or risks (including his per-
cies seriously. It also becomes harder to detect
sonal survival in power) in bringing those SO-
lutions about.
a coherent set of ideas behind the economic
Either one of those portraits of Gorbachev as
reforms, let alone to know quite where they
the ultimate pragmatist and tactician may be
are heading."⁴
persuasive and/or attractive - to the extent
that they describe a politician in the Western
Is There a Strategy Behind the Confusion?
mold. But that is precisely the point: the images
contradict everything we know about the Soviet
Looking at Gorbachev, his background, his
system and its leadership selection.
ascent to power and the report-card on his
First of all, it is difficult at best to conceive
perestroika thus far, it is tempting to draw a
of a "consensus candidate" for the position of
one-dimensional portrait of the complete prag-
Soviet dictator, implying as this does some sort
matist and tactician. That portrait would show
of silent poll of "electors." Candidates for that
a man who has reached the top without the
position climb the rungs of power, and they sur-
benefit of the power base that in the past in-
vive by dint of power. Secondly, Soviet history
sured victory in the ruthless struggles for
shows clearly that competitors for that highest
leadership succession, from Khrushchev to An-
rung may, indeed, employ the full gamut of tac-
dropov. Zbigniew Brzezinski has described Gor-
tics and flexible positions to reach it. Once
bachev as the "consensus candidate" of a
having reached the pinnacle, however, the task
younger generation of aparatchiki sensitive to
of the General Secretary of the Communist
the failings of the system and chafing under
Party of the Soviet Union is to establish a
the weight of the "old guard" who refused to
programmatic strategy - in keeping with the
pass power and responsibilities downward in
time-honored goals of the communist system.
the system.44
In this crucial respect, what contradicts the
Having thus scaled the pinnacle, the "consen-
image of Gorbachev as the "ultimate prag-
sus candidate" must cast about in establishing
matist and tactician" may be not SO much his
and consolidating his position. He institutes the
domestic reforms as the dazzling sweep of his
drive for reforms in the system demanded by
"new thinking" in Soviet defense and foreign
the "generation" that provides his only real
policy. Unless we revemp completely our view
support. Yet, he knows that it will take years
of the interactions of the "constituencies" in
for these reforms to make an appreciable im-
Soviet defense and foreign policy, we have to
pact on the system - if indeed, they will suc-
assume that there is a larger strategic design
ceed at all. In the meantime, his all-absorbing
- one that has persuaded key elements to fall
concern is to preserve himself in power. There-
in line with Gorbachev's sweeping innovations
fore, he manipulates his reform drive in two
in the foreign and defense realm.
principal ways: First, he uses it, in the tradi-
What could be the outline of such a Gor-
tion of all previous successors to. power, to
bachev strategy that has gained the support of
weaken, discredit and eliminate real and poten-
major elements in the Soviet power-structure,
tial enemies, particularly the privileged hold-
including the military? The critical require-
overs from the previous regime - ergo, the
ment for the sagging Soviet economy - its mili-
"anti-corruption" carapaign aimed at the
tary sectors included - is to harness a steady
"Brezhnevites." Beyond that, he exploits "re-
source of technological transfusions from
form" to SOW general confusion, shifting his
abroad. The logical target is the area that has
position this way and that way - in the
always been the prized target of Russian, and
analogy of a "broken-field runner" in Ameri-
then Soviet, hegemonial aspirations: namely,
sa-8
Western Europe. What seems to lie behind Gor-
bachev's propagated theme of a "common Euro-
Gorbachev needs to harness the creative
energy that exists in the Baltics at whatever
pean house" is a revised hegemonial design
that looks not to conquest, nor to the direct as.
levels for his perestroika Only political conces-
sertion of intimidating power (although that
sions to Baltic nationalism can hope to produce
that result. In a recent Estonian article on eco-
may ultimately come into play), but to a
nomic problems, the writers contend: "A com-
political-economic offensive with the objective
petent opinion on this topic [perestroika] of the
of turning Europe into an economic tributary
recently elected Secretary of the Estonian Com-
of the Soviet Union. That objective is to be
pursued at the cost of other global Soviet com-
munist Party Central Committee, sociologist
Mikk Titma: For Western entrepreneurs, the
mitments and with all the political and psycho-
logical means available, including sweeping
Estonian market is of no interest. For them,
entering the capacious all-union market with
schemes for disarmainent.
us as intermediaries is lucrative. The time is
More specifically, building a series of concen-
near when all nations in our country will be-
tric circles of "reform" and "limited freedom"
in the Soviet empire from its heartland toward
come aware even more profoundly that only
within the Union of Socialist Republics do we
Western Europe, Gorbachev hopes to exploit the
represent a superpower with which it is profit-
yield of whatever economic progress can be
able for other countries to do business. 77744 To
stimulated in that region, while reducing the
motivate Baltic workers and stimulate entre-
costs of empire. But the ultimate aim is to use
preneurs - but also in order to provide the at-
the region as a key to unlock fully the gates
mosphere necessary for Finnish, Swedish and
of the West European Economic Community as
German investors to join a Soviet effort for
it moves away from tight military-political al-
greater productivity, Gorbachev must make
liance with the United States toward a more
concessions to Baltic nationalism, notwith-
autarkical political-economic entity.
standing the dangerous implications.45
Nor is this effort without historical precedent.
When Lenin turned toward foreign private in-
The Role of the Baltic Republics
itiative during the NEP, "the emphasis was on
concessions to Western entrepreneurs," writes
If we postulate such a Gorbachev grand de-
Antony C. Sutton in his monumental work on
sign, current developments in the Baltic Repub-
Western technology transfer. "The penetration
lics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can be
of early Soviet industry by Western companies
seen in a new light. In examining events there,
and individuals was remarkable. Western tech-
the question immediately arises: How can
nical directors, consulting engineers, and in-
Moscow tolerate the level of dissidence that has
dependent entrepreneurs were commmon in
risen in that area? Are not the widely publi-
the Soviet Union." Those concessions relied
cized demands in the Baltic Republics, not only
disproportionately on the then-newly indepen-
for autonomy but in some instances for outright
dent Baltic states, either as sites for industrial
independence, stoking the fires of nationalist
activity or as intermediaries in transferring
unrest elsewhere in the Soviet Union? Could
Western goods and technology.
not those flames leap, for example, into the
Another way of expressing the configuration
huge Ukraine, with its history of explosive na-
of this problem is that the Soviets have decided
tionalism? Why does Moscow permit it?
to make the Baltic Republics their version of
Weight must be given to the very real eco-
the Communist Chinese "foreign economic
nomic difference between the Baltic region and
zones." Those areas are adjacent to ports where
most of the rest of the Soviet Union. Standards
socialist economics are abandoned in favor of
of living and productivity remain higher, even
foreign entrepreneurs using Chinese labor and
after the depredations of mass deportations
partners, operating much as they would in 80-
and post-World War II emigration. The five
called free ports around the world. Foreign
million people in the three former independent
investors and their technology can be attracted
states have sophisticated traditions of agricul-
by special incentives, not the least among
ture and trading going back to Medieval times
them skilled labor forces more resembling
- traditions rarely encountered elsewhere in
those of the West. In order to effect a
the Soviet empire.
similar development, however, Moscow must
SANDERS
10
sa-9
lend authenticity to the rhetoric of decentral-
ization and, at least to some extent, meet
Solidarity and the Polish regime bodes to open
nationalist demands.
for Moscow another indirect funnel to the West,
while easing the burden of empire. And
although the period of Soviet gross drain on
"A Common European House"
Poland and the other European satellites may
The postulated strategic design of Gorbachev,
be over, a Poland refinanced by Western capi-
extended into Eastern and Central Europe,
tal - and that is exactly what the Bush Ad-
would feature a belt of states still "socialist"
ministration appears to be considering" -
and with strong economic and military-political
could become an important asset in revamping
ties to Moscow, but with graduations of "liber-
trading within COMECON, a significant an-
alization." These "reformed communist" states
nounced goal of Soviet perestroika.
would be used in "bait-and-switch" tactics to
While the German Democratic Republic
enlist Western economic aid and help in the
seems to be holding out against Gorbachev's
drawing down of NATO's defenses against a
glasnost reforms, East German Communist
still substantial Soviet military superiority.
Party chieftain Erich Honecker could well
One fulcrum of the new strategy is in the
make the argument that he has already incor-
legacy of the Hapsburg Empire. In the summer
porated elements of perestroika in the relatively
of 1988, the Austrians, after three decades of
efficient East German vertical monopolies. Fur-
nervously ultracorrect adherence to the neu-
thermore, Honecker has advantages no other
trality provisions of the 1955 Austrian State
communist state enjoys: the "intra-German"
Treaty, began to debate the possibility of entry
trade provides Pankow not only with West Ger-
into the European Common Market. Austrian
man financing but also backdoor-access to the
politicans, with their healthy fear of Soviet
Common Market. West German payments -
power and their long-standing economic ties to
ranging from buying the exit of elderly East
the Eastern Bloc, scarcely would have ventured
German pensioners and "ecological subsidies"
into such deep waters without at least tacit
to financing and building a new autobahn from
Soviet permission. Meanwhile, everything but
Hamburg and a new railroad from Hanover to
gypsies and violins are being brought out to fan
Berlin - give the Pankow regime an enormous
the embers of the centuries-old Vienna-
cushion in foreign exchange and revenue. Yet
Budapest connection. After more than a decade
despite all this, the technological gap between
of its own "goulash communism," and despite
the East Germans and their West German
heavy borrowing from Western banks and shift-
neighbors is widening, and their terms of trade
ing almost half of its trade to the West,
with the West are worsening. All this suggests
Budapest has failed at economic takeoff. The
that Honecker, too, or his successor will be
forced to try to find a way around the Wall in
much publicized Hungarian miracle reflects
seeking an even greater transfer of Western
only a comparative prosperity relative to its
technology, capital and trade.
communist neighbors. Hungary now desperate-
ly needs Austria (and Western financial
resources through Vienna) to underwrite
Western Responses
undertakings like a Danube hydroelectric
The concept of an Eastern and Central
project, and a joint 1995 world's fair - along
with the constant swarms of Austrian tourists
Europe still communist and basically still a
part of the Soviet system, but with economic
- to sustain its relatively higher Bloc living
standards.
resuscitation from the West, already is being
Meanwhile, an Austria inside the EEC would
met halfway by elite opinion in the West. A new
be a pipeline for Hungary (and the Soviet
mood seems to have overtaken even conserva-
Union) to Western Europe's markets. On the
tive Western strategists and commentators, ex-
political-military plane, a neutral Austria
pressed in urgings that we "help" Gorbachev's
would add its voice to existing forces within the
ostensible goals in Eastern and Central Europe
EEC to block any future effort to provide the
as well as his perestroika in the Soviet Union.
Economic Community with a defense and secu-
For it is in Eastern and Central Europe, it is
rity dimension.
argued, where the greatest threat to peace and
The recent tenuous agreement between
stability lies as Soviet control weakens. Thus,
a Czech emigre has written: "The West must
san-10
successfully address the new divide in Central
immediately by the newly installed Hungarian
Europe and help reformers prove that democ-
Communist Party chief (on his return from an
racy and a free market are preconditions for
interview with Gorbachev in Moscow):
a functioning economy and productive relations
"Analyzing the historical lessons of 1956 [the
with the West. This will make traditional com-
invasion of Hungary by Soviet troops] and 1968
munism virtually irrelevant. Otherwise, it is
[the invasion of Czechoslovakia] Mikhail Gor-
reformers, opposition forces and the West who
bachev said that there must be maximum
will suffer a loss of prestige and influence, while
guarantees today that outside force should not
conservative communists regroup and fight
be used to resolve the internal affairs of so-
back with vigor."
cialist countries."
In West Germany, a chorus of important
Gorbachev is exploiting these Western hopes
voices is advocating economic aid for Gor-
with a marriage of economic necessity and geo-
bachev's perestroika in order to purchase an
political guile. The Soviet regime is using its
improvement in relations between the two Ger-
own refurbished image as moderate and
manies and a purported new stability and neu-
reformist to enlist Western aid to perestroika
trality in Central Europe."1 There was the
and to the unsettled satellite empire. Beyond
remarkable spectacle in 1987 of Franz Josef
that, through the deceptive construction of a
Strauss, the late Bavarian conservative leader,
"common European house" the Soviets would
successfully negotiating a major loan to the
take a long stride toward the dismantling of
East German regime to finance West German
NATO's defenses, Western Europe's progres-
exports, with the quic! pro quo of an easing of
sive separation from the United States, and its
the situation on the intra-German border (al-
ultimate transformation into an economic
ready betrayed in a spate of shootings and kill-
tributary of the Soviet Union.
ings along the Berlin Wall in March 1989).
In April 1989 a Trilateral Commission report
by Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Yasuhiro Naka-
If Gorbachev Fails
sone and Henry A. Kissinger argued:
[A]
posture of delayed and uncoordinated reaction
Our opening framework for analysis included
to Soviet initiatives would enable the Kremlin
a final question: If Gorbachev were to fail, what
to define the East-West agenda and serve
would be the likely options for those who suc-
primarily Soviet interests." The report con-
ceeded him in Soviet leadership? That question
tinued: "Mr. Gorbachev's phrase, 'a common
can be given short shrift because it takes us
European house,' ignores the fundamental
into an immense morass of speculation that
differences between Western Europe, Eastern
even the most incisive - and prescient - ob-
Europe and the Soviet Union
The coun-
server of the Soviet scene cannot hope to divine
tries of Central and Eastern Europe have a spe-
with any degree of confidence.
cial character
For these countries, it is
Perhaps the most remarkable accomplish-
therefore important to devise a category of as
ment of Gorbachev - which already ensures
sociation with the European Community based
him a place in history - is his illumination of
on Article 238 of the Treaty of Rome [emphasis
a profound systemic crisis in the Soviet Union.
added]. This kind of association should be
Discretion tells us that the longer-range ramifi-
regarded as a new type of relationship adapted
cations of that crisis can be exaggerated, espe-
to the special circumstances of the countries
cially in Western perceptions. The highest
concerned."
defector to leave the Soviet Union since World
In a parallel proposal made directly to those
War II has given us the following warning:
conducting the Bush Administration's review
There is no doubt that the USSR is ex.
of foreign policy strategies, according to the
periencing serious domestic and other
New York Times, Kissinger's "basic concept of
difficulties, but it has overcome worse
the new arrangement would be for Moscow to
troubles in the past. It has both tremendous
loosen its hold over the region in exchange for
natural wealth and vast human resources.
a pledge by the United States and its Western
In their ability to withstand centuries - not
allies not to exploit the new environment in a
decades - of hardship and privation and yet
way that threatens the Soviet Union." This
persevere, the Soviet people are unmatched
leak of Dr. Kissinger's proposal was reinforced
by any nation on earth, with the possible ex-
sa-11
ception of the Chinese. The West, therefore,
should not delude itself by focusing its atten-
Party's Politburo and a (probably overwhelm-
ing) majority in the Party as a whole
tion exclusively on Soviet flaws and short-
The
deeper he gets into reform, the stiffer the
comings
The Soviet Union neither will
opposition and the greater chance that he will
reshape itself into a free-enterprise society
wake up one morning out of a job - or else
nor will it soon disintegrate.
throw up his hands and resign.
Still, if there is a minimal consensus behind
Yet, if that transpires, given the reality of the
Gorbachev in the aparat, it is in the recogni-
crisis, would or could a successor regime
undertake a radical change in direction? That
tion of the existence of that crisis. The (osten.
sible) opposition - from the "left" and from the
question applies particularly to the unfolding
"right" - appears to target the nature of his
Gorbachev strategic design described above and
reforms, their speed and his tactics. That
to a solution of the fundamental problem: a
Soviet technological base that, without
opposition might yet overcome him. "Alas, the
replenishment from the outside, can sustain
new gloom about Mr. Gorbachev goes further,"
neither a functioning economy nor, in the
writes The Economist. "Russia's economic mess
may be too deep to scramble out of. The sorts
longer run, a credible claim to world power.
What all this suggests is that there should
of reforms that are needed are unacceptable,
be less concern in the West about what would
if not yet to Mr. Gorbachev and his narrow
happen if Gorbachev were to fail, and more con-
circle of close supporters, then increasingly to
a skeptical near-majority in the Communist
cern - especially in Western Europe - about
the implications of his succeeding.
NOTES
1. Space does not permit $1 discussion of the enormously
complex background that dictated Western attitudes in
and the other is that we have not yet bred a race of super-
each of these rather arbitrary demarcations 1 have chosen.
men that can implement it While we were building as
sured destruction capabilities, the Soviet Union was
However, briefly said: The initial revolution by social
democrats and then their Bolshevik successors in imperial
building forces for traditional military missions capable of
Russia found many nonsocialist Western sympathizers,
destroying the military forces of the United States." Re-
among them President Woodrow Wilson of the U.S. See
marks by the Honorable Henry A. Kissinger, "NATO -
Lloyd C. Gardner, A Covenant with Power: American and
the Next Thirty Years," Palais d'Egmont, Brussels, Bel-
gium. September 1, 1979.
World Order from Wilson to Reagan (New York: Oxford
University Press, 1984). The growing menace of Hitler's
2. See for instance a recent interview with S. Bovin,
political commentator with Izvestiya, entitled "The Basis
Germany, the promise of 8 new era in the promulgation
Cironically, virtually as Stalin's Trials began) of the ultra.
of the Program is Life Experience" in the Soviet publica-
liberal 1936 (Stalin) Soviet Constitution convinced the pub-
tion Argumenty I Fakty, No. 11, March 18-24, 1989.
8
lic, particularly left-of-center intellectuals in Europe and
I meet with increasing frequency people who already
in kindergarten unmasked Stalin's 'personality cult' and
America, that common cause could be made with the
revealed Khrushchev's voluntarism' when still in first
Soviets against the growing Nazi-fascist threat. See, for
grades at school, and then Brezhnev's and Chernenko's
example, the interview with Stalin by H.G. Wells, noted
1930s British historian and novelist "I have never met
labels when they were in senior grades. Such people, of
a man more candid, fair and honest
course, decisively refuse to regard themselves as respon-
No one is afraid
of him and everybody trusts him." H.G. Wells, Marxism
sible for the state of the society in which they lived and
still do live."
and Liberty, an interview ONew York: International Pub-
3. "Such differences as remain [between the Soviet Union
lishing Co., 1935). "Good Old Uncle Joe" was more than
a elightly sarcastic slogan in World War II with U.S. lead-
and the U.S.] are not such that preclude a normal relation-
ship, particularly when leadership on the Russian side is
ers as well as the general American public Eugene Lyons,
in the hands of a man such as Gorbachev
Red Decade: The Stalinist Penetration of America, 1941
What could
we, from our side, do to promote the normalization of this
(reprinted by Revisionist Press, 1980). And, finally, no one
summed up the disappointments of detente so well as
[Soviet-U.S.] relationship and to shape its future in B man-
Henry A. Kissinger, one of its principal authors: "Under
ner commensurate with its positive possibilities? It would
the doctrine of assured destruction, nuclear war became
seem obvious, to this writer at least, that our first concern
not a military problem but one of engineering It depended
should be to remove, insofar as it lies within our power
OD the theoretical calculations of the amount of economic
to do so, those features of American policy and practice that
and industrial damage that one needed to inflict on the
have their origins and their continuing rationale in out-
other side
It was a general theory that suffered two
dated cold war assumptions and lack serious current justifi-
drawbacks One was that the Soviets did not believe it,
cation." George F. Kennan, "After the Cold War," New
York Times Magazine, February 5, 1989.
sa-12
NOTES (Continued)
4. "The real question is whether the Western world is
11. Judy Shelton, The Coming Soviet Crash: Gorbacheu's
willing to extend a helpful hand in a timely way to Gor-
Desperate Pursuit of Credit in Western Financial Markets
bachev in the hope that he means what he says on dis-
(New York: The Free Press, 1989).
armament and can stay in power
Let us face it: for
12. "The Soviet leaders' attempt to reform the system
the West to respond affirm atively to Gorbachev's initia-
is not inspired by some noble realization that the system
tive is a gamble. He might take the aid he seeks and not
is universally poorly regarded abroad, but by strict neces-
deliver on bis promises. O1 be might want to deliver on
sity. They have come to realize what other communists
his promises and be frustrated by the Red Army gener-
in Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and
als. Or he might take the help offered by the West, as
China realized earlier - namely, that communism does
Pepsico's Donald Kendall has suggested, and still face
not work. It would not work at the economic level nor at
Herculean problems that will take two generations to
the level of satisfying
human needs and liberties. Put
solve." Hobart Rowen, "Giving Gorbachev a Hand,"
all these factors side by side with the rapid growth of tech-
Washington Post, December 29, 1988.
nological advance of the Western and modern worlds and
5. Gorbachev has specifically rejected this term, argu-
you cannot help realizing that communism is a 19th Cep-
ing. "It may seem that our current perestroika could be
tury relic and a prescription for disaster
They
[the
called a 'revolution from above'. True, the perestroika
Soviet rulers] realize that Stalinism, the 'command scon-
drive started on the Communist Party's initiative, and
ony' and the conservative bureaucracy have made the
the Party leads it
It is a distinctive feature and
system a permanent loser vis-a-vis the variously mixed
strength of perestroika that it is simultaneously a TEVO-
economies of the world." Milovan Djilas, "Djilas on Gar-
lution 'from above' and "from below'." But earlier be
bachev," Encounter, November 1988.
wrote:
the restructuring effort started with the Party
13. "Since central planning has allowed the Soviet Un-
and its leadership. We began at the top of the pyramid
ion only one factory that makes condoms poorer
work-
and went down to its base, as it were." Mikhail Gor-
ing women in Russia's unequal society probably average
bachev, Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and
between four and six abortions in their lives. All of these
the World, updated edition (New York: Harper & Row,
unnecessary abortions are then counted as part of doc-
1988). pp. 41-42.
tors' gross production, and therefore swell Russia's
6. See Seymour Weiss, Soviet Detente: The Colli-
reported national income. Most Western attempts to trans-
sion of Hope and Experience," Strategic Review, Winter
late fictitious communist growth figures into real ones,
1989, pp. 16-24, for an insightful comparison of present
including one by America's Central Intelligence Agency,
events to the Khrushchev period.
have been far too kind to the communista That has long
7. John J. Dziak, Chekisty: A History of the KGB Aex-
been known by readers of the mainly mimeographed
ington, MA: Lexington Books, 1988).
papers from some fine economists still in Hungary and
8. We have a vast literature, if sometimes forgotten even
Poland" The Economist, June 25, 1988.
by many anticommunists over the years, and much of it
14. "Estimates of total Soviet indebtedness to the West
unknown to younger noncommunists less schooled in the
were roughly doubled overnight in May 1984
The
experience of dealing with communist history as it un-
joint report issued by the OECD and the Bank for Inter-
folded. In the 1930s and 1940s such men as Eugene Lyons,
national Settlements (BIS) for loans outstanding as of the
Isaac Don Levine, Victor Serge, Max Eastman, Arthur
end of June 1983 showed that the Soviet Union ranked
Koestler and dozens of others in the West often at great
as the third largest hard-currency debtor in the world, ex-
cost to their reputations, and samizdat writers in the East
cluding the 16 industrial countries plus Liechtenstein who
often at the risk of their lives, exposed the real conditions
report to the OECD
The most astonishing aspect of
inside the Soviet Union. Most of the current "revelations"
the report, though, was that the Soviet Union ranked first
of the Soviet press add little to that body of fact and opin-
in the world in loans subsidized by Western governments."
ion In fact, we have the travesty of the officially permitted
Shelton, op. cit., p. 121.
Soviet "dissident" press borrowing sometimes whole-hog
15. Antony C. Sutton, Western Technology and Soviet
from such writings. And we have the testament of defec-
Economic Development, 1917-1930, Vol. 1 (Stanford, CA:
tors and emigres that the Soviet people, themselves, al.
Hoover Institution Press, 1968).
ways believed far less of the official history than might
16. The invasion of Afghanistan was accomplished in
be imagined by those outside.
part with the use of trucks built at the famous Kama
9. Varily Selyunin and Grigory Khanin, "Cunning
River Truck Factory, a dramatic instance of U.S.-German
Figures," Nouyy Mir, February 1987, PP. 181-201. In this
technological transfer to the Soviets.
article on statistical raethodology the two Russian
17. For example, Selyunin and Kanin, op. cit., referring
economists wrote: "The distortion of the product volumes
to the current five-year plan, argue that the basic flaws
has spread to estimates of productivity and capital and from
in Soviet estimates of production, are enormous:
them to all the accounts figures." The authors conclude
as
Upon inspection, industry will not have produced one-
an the peasimistic note that a reconstruction of all statis
fourth of the scheduled additions in physical reality. This
tics is inevitable, for without it the "revolutionary" changes
is not an assumption. For example, in the last Five-Year
in the Soviet economy IKW being called for by Gorbachev
Plan. the planned increase in coal production was 54-56
will not be possible.
million tons; the actual increase constituted 10 million
10. Valdimir Treml, "External Relations of CEMA
tons. It was anticipated that the production of rolled fer-
Countries," The NATO Colloquium: Soviet Dependence
rous metal would increase 14-17 million tons; in prac-
on Foreign Trade (Brussels: 1983).
tice, the addition was 5 million tons."
sa-13
NOTES (Continued)
18. Anders Aslund, "How Small is the Soviet National
22. See Murray Feshbach, "Soviet Military Health Is-
Income?" Hoover-Rand Conference on the Defense Sec-
sues," Gorbachev's Economic Plans, Study Papers, U.S.
tor in the Soviet Economy (Stanford University, Stanford,
Congress, Joint Economic Committee (Washington, DC:
CA, March 1988).
Government Printing Office, 1987).
19. Indeed, the gossip arrong emigres and defectors is
23. See James M. McConnell, "SDI, the Soviet Invest-
that Gorbachev, with obvicusly demonstrable talent and
ment Debate and Soviet Military Policy," Strategic
energy, rose to power through the classic route with the
Review, Winter 1988, PP. 47-62.
security apparatus and by currying favor with Party lead-
24. Gorbachev, Perestroika, op. cit., p. 39.
are He might well be regarded not only as a typical Party
25. Richard Pipes, "The Missing Bourgeoisie," Russia
aparatchik but a quintessential product of the late
Under the Old Regime (New York: Scribner, 1976), Chap-
Stalinist and Brezhnev erall of corruption and stagnation
ter 8, P. 219.
ever among the Party cadre. See Vladimir Solovyov and
26. Ibid, P. 215.
Elena Klepikova, Behind the High Kremlin Walls (New
27. That experience is true in noncommunist societies
York: Dodd, Mead & Ca, 1986). "Gorbachev was fortunate
as well as within the Bloc. See Sol W. Sanders, Mexico:
to hold office in an area of productive land and kind cli-
Choos on Our Doorstep (Lanham, MD: Madison Press, Se-
mate, which made his job that much easier. More impor-
cond Edition, 1989).
tant, however, was the fact that his territory enjoyed
28. A French intelligence source who claims to have
special care and generous funding from Moscow because
visited 200 kolkozes in recent years told me in a private
of the famous Caucasian mineral springs, around which
interview: "The pattern of peasant agriculture has been
developed resort towns favored by the elite. The mineral
broken in the Soviet Union It cannot be reestablished in
springs became not only an mid to the health of many high-
less than a generation at best. Communist policy has re-
ranking Party and government members but also a foun-
warded the worst elements in the rural area. You cannot
dation of Gorbachev's rising career. Kosygin, Andropov
imagine the backwardness, the moral degradation in the
and other Soviet leaders were there periodically for med-
countryside. We have not seen anything like that in
ical treatments and rest. As the local Party boas, Gar-
Western Europe for hundreds of years." For a view of rural
bachev had the opportunity to meet them many times and,
squalor in the 1950s - and it has probably not improved
as the Russians say, pokarat tover litsom - to show him-
significantly - as seen through the eyes of a young Mosco-
self at his best." Arkady N. Schevchenko, Breaking with
vite, a child of the nomenklatura, see Vladimir Sakharov
Moscow (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985), p. 185.
and Umberto Tosi, High Treason (New York: Putnam Pub-
20. George F. Keenan, in answer to the question of how
lishing Group. 1980).
the Soviet system "which has put such a premium on con-
29. See Murray Feshbach, "The Age Structure of Soviet
formity, on safety, could produce a Gorbachev?" says:
Population: Preliminary Analysis of Unpublished Data,"
"You know, I really cannot explain it. Numbers of us who
Soviet Economy, Vol. 1, No. 2, 1985, PP. 177-193.
have known that country for a long time simply stand
30. Zalanskaya, Kalmuk, Khakhulina, "Problemy Sot-
without an explanation as to how a man with these quali-
sial'nogo Razzittya Sibri I Tuti Resheniya," Izvestia
ties could have emerged from a provincial party appara-
Siberiskogo Otdelaniya Academii Nauk SSR, Seriya
tus in the North Caucasus. I have asked that question
Ekonomiki Prickladnoy Sotsiologi, Vol. 1, No. 1, January
of people in the Soviet Union One thing that they said
1986.
was that you must remember that he was a student of
31. For example, the Central Committee plenum on
law at Moscow University, and they told me to my sur-
agriculture in March 1989 abolished the superministry,
prise, because I had never known it, that the law school
GOSAGROPROM, which Gorbachev himself had set up
had retained certain types of teaching and training, and
only in 1985 as a showcase for perestroika.
training also in mannerisms of the law which existed in
32. The Financial Times, October 6, 1988; Washington
almost no other place of legal instruction in Russia, and
Post, October 6, 1988.
that may have had something to do with it
I think
33. In May 1987 in Moscow, I asked Abel G. Aganbegyan,
it is rather a miracle." "MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour,"
the famous Gorbachev intimate and the best known of the
WNET New York, December 21, 1989. Solovyov and
Novosibirak revisionist economists, a principal propagan-
Klepikova, op. cit., as well as other sources, suggest the
dist for perestroika abroad, with what mechanism resources
Moscow University Law Faculty in the late Stalin years
would be allocated between the civilian and military econ-
was a recruiting ground for the security organs From one
omies under perestroika. He looked pensive for a moment
of those Communist leaders who did have a real conver-
or two, and then threw his arm up toward the ceiling with:
sion at the cost of power and almost his life, Milovan Dji-
"It would have to be decided above."
las of Yugoslavia: "Perhaps in his heart of hearts
34. Valentin Litvin, "On Perestroika: Reforming Eco-
Gorbachev realizes that the Marxist conception of social.
nomic Management,' Problems of Communism, July-
ism is a museum piece We do not know. What we do know
August 1987, pp. 87-98.
is that he behaves as though he believes in the basic
35. "Soviet Battle Over Price Changes," The Financial
soundness of the Soviet system and its reformability
Times, March 30, 1989.
through technology, renewed dedication, and the introduc-
36. David Remmick, "Soviet Economic Forecast: Be
tion of selective freedoms." Djilas, op. cit.
Patient," Washington Post, January 26, 1989.
21. Ilya Zemtsov and John Farrar, Gorbachev: The Man
37. "Go, Go Back, Go Gorbachev," The Economist,
and the System (New Brun swick, NJ: Transaction Pub-
March 25, 1989.
lishers, 1989), p. 366.
38. lbid.
sa-14
NOTES (Continued)
39. "For the next several years the benefits of arms
that was a partial answer. But more important, he said,
control for Gorbachev, particularly with respect to stra-
was that they had worked with their partner, a Soviet
tegic weapons, are primarily strategic and political, not
Estonian government firm, for 30 years and knew their
economic. In terms of potential savings, strategic offen-
abilities as contrasted with bureaucratic operations in
sive weapons account for only about 10 per cent of the
other parts of the Soviet Union.
Soviet military budget and the Soviets already have
46. Sutton, op. cit., PP. 168, 171.
made the investment necessary for production of their
47. During 8 visit to Vienna last October, I found most
strategic weapons force through the mid-1990s. Only
observers believed that the Russians did, in fact,
through significant conventional force reductions could
encourage the proposal.
Gorbachev begin to realize any major economic benefit
48. Peter Riddell, "Bush Review Urges Caution on Gor-
and, to a great extent, this would be years in the future."
bachev," The Financial Times, April 13, 1989.
From a talk by Robert M. Gates, Deputy Director of Cen-
tral Intelligence, CIA, before the American Association
49. Jan Winiecki, The Distorted World of Soviet-type
Economies (London: Routledge, 1988). Also Economic
for the Advancement of Science, Colloquium on Science,
Bulletin, German Institute for Economic Research (DIW),
Arms Control and National Security, Washington, DC,
April 1989, Vol. 26, No. 2 English language edition).
October 14. 1988.
60. Milan Svec, "Communist Reformers Need Our
40. Julian Cooper, "The Civilian Production of the
Help," Washington Post, April 10, 1989.
Soviet Defense Industry," a paper presented at the
51. See Sol W. Sanders, "Trying to Understand West
Symposium on Soviet Sciences and Technology, Centre
Germany's Sovi-Euphoria," Christian Science Monitor,
for Russian and East European Studies, Department of
November 29, 1988. Horst Empke, fraktionfuhrer of the
Extramural Studies, University of Birmingbam, Septem-
Social Democratic Party in the Bundestag in Bonn, told
ber 24-25, 1984.
me in October 1988 during a conversation about his
41. Zemtsov and Farrar, op. cit., p. 84.
party's position on the Soviet problem: "Yes, you can say
42. The Economist, March 25, 1989.
there is an alliance between some of the enterprise heads
43. Zbigniew Brzezinski, "The U.S. Soviet Relation-
in the private sector and our party's policy on aid to the
ship: Paradoxes and Prospects," Strategic Review, Spring
Soviets. They would like to see government subsidies as
1987, pp. 11-18.
a way to renovate and convert to other product lines. We
44. Valeriy Badov and Viktor Shirokov, "Does Narva
would like to see them [as an instrument of government
Need a Customs Checkpoint?" Sotsialisticheskaya Indue-
policy] to help Gorbachev and perestroika."
triya, March 2, 1989, English translation in FBIS Daily
52. "East- West Relations: A Draft Report to the
Report, FBIS-SOV-89-052.
Trilateral Commission," April 1989.
45. In Finland in the fall of 1988, I spoke to an official
53. Thomas L. Friedman, "Baker, Outlining World
of a Finnish subsidiary of IL multinational corporation
View, Assesses Plan for Soviet Bloc," New York Times,
which had only recently made an investment in a Soviet
March 28, 1989.
joint venture. The spokesnian said that, frankly, had
54. James Blitz (London) and Quentin Peel (Moscow),
they had to choose any other place in the Soviet Union
"Gorbachev Pledges No Interference in East Bloc Coun-
than Estonia to make the investment, it would not have
tries' Affairs," The Financial Times, March 30, 1989.
been made. I asked if that were because of the affinity
55. Schevchenko, op. cit., p. 368.
of the Finnish and Estonian languages and the geo-
56. The Economist, March 11, 1989.
graphic proximity and the facility that provided He said
TOTAL P.15
14
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1988
OPINION
Trying to understand West Germany's Sovi-euphoria
country, and when the German banks
trary to the logic of the horrendous Soviet
By Sol W. Sanders
begin to twist our arm, what can we do?"
something that Moscow can do for us on
pulled the Germans into so many
Berlin, if we meet them halfway."
TOM HUGHES STAFF
economic problems, which make any ex-
From a sitting member of the Bun-
pansion of normal trade with the West
HE atavistic fascination with Rus-
T
destag for West Berlin: "Maybe there is
impossible, and the intensely enigmatic
sia that over the centuries has
politics of the communist state, which
defy any attempt "to help Gorbachev" -
misadventures in Eastern Europe is tug-
From a working-level employee of one
Bonn is moving toward a massive new aid
ging hard at the Federal Republic.
of the largest German companies facing
program to Moscow.
Chancellor Helmut Kohl's recent state
bankruptcy in the Ruhr, "The Soviets
Even more distressing is the lack of a
visit to Moscow is only the first in a series
cannot pay, and I do not see the possibil-
strategy or even a set of tactics in West-
of tests in the next months of how far
ity of government credits."
ern Europe for dealing with the Soviets in
Bonn will go to find a new relationship
In a think tank in Munich, an analyst
this new era of perestroika and glasnost.
with the Kremlin. At stake is the delicate
who has worked on the USSR for most of
As the Germans quietly worry about a
balance of the Western alliance, caught in
his career paints a grim picture of the
Soviet-American negotiation over their
the vise of a growing European hope that
Soviet political economy but sounds opti-
heads, there is little to reassure them.
a new and permanently peaceful relation-
mistic about possible German-Soviet col-
The NATO headquarters in Brussels,
ship can be built with the East and doubts
laboration.
led by its first German secrtary-general,
about the ability of the United States to
In the Ministry of Defense, a longtime
has become a citadel of golf and bureau-
continue to lead the alliance.
observer acknowledges that despite no
cratic retreat from reality. Washington is
A curious phenomenon exists all over
evidence that the Soviets have made ma-
paralyzed in the rosy haze of the Reagan
Germany: At the working echelons of
jor cutbacks or changes in military strat-
sunset. Neither of the US presidential
both government and the private sector,
egy, his new minister went to Moscow
candidates responded in more than cli-
there is great skepticism of Soviet Com-
with Dr. Kohl ready to make unilateral
chés to the conundrum of maintaining the
munist Party boss Mikhail Gorbachev's
concessions in disarmament negotiations.
sword of deterrence in a Western Europe
motivations, pessimism about his chances
Perhaps it is the little social and grace
moving rapidly toward nuclear disarma-
to succeed, and great caution about any
notes in conversations that are the most
ment yet faced with the Soviets' continu-
initiatives toward the Soviet Union: But
disturbing for a visiting American: At a
Helmut Kohl
ing massive conventional threat. Most be-
as one mounts in the bureaucracy or to-
very fashionable cocktail party in Frank-
lieve that the 1992 goal of economic
ward the board rooms of the corpora-
furt, the just retired head of the local
said (aretired general tells you) socialism
integration of the European Common
tions, optimism grows, flowering into
branch of one of Germany's largest banks
should run like the German railroads,
Market is unrealistic. And it is not only
euphoria.
announces he is off to Leningrad for three
how (from an Austrian businessman)
Margaret Thatcher who, while opposing
From F. Wilhelm Christians, former co-
months. "I want to brush up on my Rus-
"you Americans have always overesti-
supranationality for the European Com-
chairman of the powerful Deutschebank,
sian. I was a prisoner of war there during
mated them." When this American, fol-
munity, has no alternative rallying cry
which led the push for $1.6 billion in new
World War II." Then, with unconcealed
lowing one of these conversations,
for the West Europeans.
credits for the Soviets: "We have lost our
glee, "When the Russians asked me what I
pointed out that the two peoples had al-
markets in Latin America. We must and
did as a U-boat captain, I told them I sank
most destroyed each other in the last two
Sol W. Sanders, a New York-based
can develop new markets in the Soviet
British and American ships. And they
generations, a friend replies, "Ah! but you
free-lance journalist, has just com-
Union."
said: 'Good!' And that was when they
Americans don't understand that there
pleted a six-week tour of Germany,
From a prominent Swiss bank econo-
were supposed to have been your allies!"
would not have been a modern German
Scandinavia and Finland, Switzer-
mist: "I do not believe my bank should
One tires of hearing German after Ger-
state if the czar hadn't protected Prussia
land and Austria, researching a book
"lend to the Soviets for tactical and strate-
man describe how well the two countries
from Napoleon."
on Soviet economic dependence on
gic reasons. But we will. We are a small
know and admire each other, how Lenin
The inevitable conclusion is that - con-
the West.
Monday, March 13, 1989
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
19
How Finland Deals With the Russian Bear
booming barter trade with Mos-
"Buy a Lada; you'll have a Fiat in
a settlement. Under new arrange-
business there.
cow. At its height, this trade con-
a year when all the parts are
ments, the Finns now will get in-
One businessman said that his
By Sol W. Sanders
stituted 27 percent of Finland's
replaced.")
terest when the permanent trade
company, in order to preserve its
total business abroad.
Even the creation of a joint
imbalance goes beyond 100 mil-
market, would enter into a joint
Today it's another story. The
refining company with the Sovi-
lion in Soviet rubles. And when it
company arrangement. But - and
INLAND'S trade with the
F
Finns, only 5 million strong with a
ets, which might have been used
goes over 200 million rubles, Hel-
he made a gesture of brushing off
Soviet Union is dropping
largely rural and agrarian past,
to ship petroleum products off to
sinki can convert part of it into
his hands - "We will capitalize it
sharply - despite the coun-
have moved into the big time.
third countries, hasn't helped.
other currencies. In fact, some of
at the lowest possible level so that
try's post-World War II role as
Finnish companies include a half
And Helsinki is now predicting
the trade theoretically can now be
we can walk away from it at any
one of Russia's main suppliers in
dozen world-class multinationals.
$14 per barrel oil prices next
carried on in FinnMarks, a con-
moment."
the West.
And Finland's booming (if slight-
year, which would drive Soviet
vertible currency. And the Finns
Over the years, the Finns have
The decline in trade comes at a
ly overheated) economy provides
have taken the precaution, just in
taken a bum rap from many West-
time when Finland's burgeoning
one of the highest living stand-
case there is something to the ru-
ern anticommunists for their rela-
hi-tech exports would seem to be
ards in Europe. It is a develop-
mor of a convertible ruble, of in-
tions with the Soviets. The truth
just what perestroika needs. The
mental model - the envy of its
Finland can't find anything
suring themselves against a possi-
is, abandoned by Western allies
reasons offer an interesting vi-
Scandinavian neighbors who mar-
to buy in the USSR, other
ble Soviet devaluation.
twice during the winter war in
gnette on the USSR's economic
vel at its ability to keep the lid on
than petroleum, to pay for
Still, it won't be easy. The So-
1939 and again in 1945, they
troubles - and a cautionary tale
welfare statism. Today Soviet
for those optimists in the West
trade is less than 12 percent of
its exports.
viets have failed to respect past
have made the best of living next
limits on the barter imbalance.
to the Great Bear, including their
who ogle potentially rich Soviet
Finland's total. The overwhelm-
Only the central bank's blocking
commercial relations. "Finlandi-
markets.
ing bulk of her international
of $350 million in back orders
zation" has been bandied about
The Finns, by all accounts,
trade is with West Germany and
exports down by as much as 25
forced the Russians into the new
for years as a term for knuckling
know more about trading with
other Western nations.
percent from 1988.
settlement after months. The
under to Moscow. But it is a
the Soviets than anyone. In the
But it is not all peaches and
But the Soviets will buy almost
agreement doesn't take effect un-
misnomer.
aftermath of World War II - dur-
cream. The Finns still depend
anything the Finns can sell them -
til 1990, and it isn't entirely clear,
It has been a grueling relation-
ing which Finland had joined
heavily on exports to the Soviets.
or did, as long as it was on a barter
in the government announce-
ship, one that the Finns did not
Germany as a co-belligerent
Some 70,000 Finns still owe their
basis that built up huge de facto
ments, what happens to the accu-
willingly enter, but they had little
against the Soviets following their
jobs to these exports, which tend
credits.
mulated debt.
option. Entrepreneurs and their
own short and catastrophic win-
to be labor-intensive. That's
The situation came to a head
Nor do the Finns yet know
chancelleries in the West, on the
ter war to stave off Soviet aggres-
down from 140,000 just a few
last spring when Finland's tough-
how they are going to balance the
other hand, do have a choice
sion - Moscow saddled its little
years ago.
minded central bank called a halt
trade. Finnish businessmen will
about how far they get into the
northern neighbor with an enor-
But the big problem is that
to Soviet barter exports. Moscow
tell you, confidentially, that so far
bear's den.
mous reparations burden. Hel-
Finland can't find anything to buy
had run up nearly a $1 billion
perestroika has been a disaster.
sinki had to come up with $300
in the Soviet Union, other than
debt against the Finns, mostly in-
Those I talked with last fall were
Sol W. Sanders, a free-lance
million gold dollars worth of
petroleum, to pay for its exports.
terest-free. The Bank of Finland,
virtually unanimous in their pessi-
writer based in New York, recently.
goods.
A Soviet Lada, a quasi-1950s-Fiat,
obviously, didn't think Finland
mism. They did not see a solution
toured northern Europe as part of
Not only did the Finns pay the
sells for half the price of a Japa-
should finance perestroika.
to Soviet economic problems and
research for a forthcoming book on
bill, but they developed out of it a
nese equivalent in Helsinki. (Joke:
It took most of last year to get
the myriad frustrations of doing
Soviet dependence on the West.
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
2
1ST STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright (c) 1989 The Washington Post
March 17, 1989, Friday, Final Edition
SECTION: STYLE; PAGE D1
LENGTH: 3169 words
HEADLINE: Secret Weapon At the NSC;
Condoleezza Rice, Breaking Barriers on Bush's Team
BYLINE: Phil McCombs, Washington Post Staff Writer
BODY:
"I'm a nice Southern girl," she says. There's a simplicity in her smile, her
trim gray suit, the way her short hair is pulled back and tied behind. But
Condoleezza Rice has come a long way from Birmingham, from the parents who
cherished her dreams, the segregated school where her teachers chipped in to buy
textbooks, the restaurant that suddenly fell silent when her family entered one
night to test the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Now, at 34, Rice has been named director for Soviet and East European
affairs on Brent Scowcroft's National Security Council staff. A professor of
political science at Stanford, she's considered one of the nation's leading
young Sovietologists, respected by many elder statesmen of that specialized
calling.
= Condi brings prodigious expertise, both academic and practical, to her
position," Scowcroft said in a statement yesterday. "She has a broad
intellectual conception of the problems and realities of the Soviet Union and
Eastern Europe."
Her rise is an American success story with classic elements of pluck, luck
and hard work, and also marked by the special perils ---- or, in some cases,
subtle advantages -- of being a beautiful woman making her professional way in
the predominantly male world of superpower politics, nuclear weapons and arms
control.
"This is still a very macho game," she says. "It's the last bastion - right?
-- military power?" She smiles and concedes, "I don't mind the shock value at
all. You walk into a room --- you get it either here or in the Soviet Union -
and people just don't understand, it doesn't compute somehow. But in the United
States, people are getting more accustomed to it. There are more and more women
out there on strategic policy issues today."
When sexism surfaces, "it's usually an unintentional comment about women and
whether there's enough fiber in them to believe in the use of force. Haven't
they heard of Margaret Thatcher, Indira Gandhi, or Cleopatra for that matter?"
Rice knows from a throw-weight. She made an academic specialty of the
Soviet military, and has studied the Moscow press - particularly military
journals -- for 15 years. Yet somehow, she rarely fails to surprise.
When Marshall I. Goldman of Harvard's Russian Research Center once attended
one of her lectures there on the Soviet military, he was stunned. "I said,
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
3
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
'Wow, where did she learn all that?' This was very technical stuff, it was stuff
I didn't know I was very taken with her competence, because she was a
female. That's maybe a sexist statement. Military stuff is arcane to begin with
- I don't know of any other woman who's a specialist on that."
After she appeared on ABC News' "Nightline" to analyze Soviet leader Mikhail
Gorbachev's arms cuts, two marriage proposals arrived in the mail.
It wasn't unusual.
And after she spoke on nuclear strategy - in Russian - to Soviet officials
in Moscow last spring, the official Moscow News reported that "men [were]
wondering" why, when she "should be busy cooking and driving her admirers mad
instead she aptly juggles numbers of missiles."
Says Rice diplomatically: "They just have no context for somebody like me."
Her dad, John W. Rice, a retired university administrator, remembers family
automobile trips north in the early '60s when there wasn't a hotel between
Birmingham and Washington that would accept blacks. One time, when he took a
picture of 9-year-old Condoleezza in front of the White House, she told him,
"I'm standing in front of the White House now, but one day I'm going to be in
it!"
"I was lucky," she says. "I grew up in a nice middle-class black neighborhood
where everybody was given piano and ballet lessons, and we had clubs. I actually
was in a cotillion."
But she also remembers "the marches, and I remember the church being bombed
in Birmingham -- a little girl I'd gone to kindergarten with was killed. I grew
up in absolutely segregated schools until I was through the ninth grade You
don't ever want to forget that there were days in America when you couldn't stay
in a hotel, or that my mother, who was absolutely beautiful, had no poll tax
imposed on her, while my father had a devil of a time voting."
She remains determinedly upbeat:
"I do believe that in part you shape your sense of well-being, you have
control over whether or not you think you have control. Will plays an important
part I can see pain and suffering, and it makes me unhappy and sad, but I
try not to let it be debilitating."
Her parents doted on her. She read music before she read words, and played
the piano. Her name was derived from the musical notation con dolcezza -
sweetly. "It was nothing to hear Condi playing Beethoven or Bach at 3 or 4 in
the morning," says her father. "It woke us up, but she was an only child. She
could do no wrong."
Both parents were educators. Her mother, herself a pianist, was an elementary
school teacher, and her father -- who had been a Presbyterian minister -- was
named dean of students at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Fascinated by
politics and history, he had become a Republican in the late '50s after seeing
that "the Democrats weren't anxious for blacks to be part of their party."
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® ® NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
4
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
He was a strong influence on his daughter, who, like him, remains a moderate
Republican, deeply religious, and hooked on politics and football. "We watched
the Kennedy-Nixon debates when I was a 6-year-old," she recalls, "and the
coverage of the Cuban missile crisis." Because of the proximity of Cuba, this
"had an immediacy for people living in the Southeast We were living
in
the
middle of political times, and my father really wanted me to think that politics
and history were dramatic and interesting.
"He bought me comic books that were historical
We
discussed
everything
openly. As a child in the South, to be told you can't go in this or that
restaurant without context would have been damaging to your self-concept. My
parents wanted me to have a historical context for that, that there's nothing
wrong with you, this is a long historical process that's playing out."
And football?
"She knows more about it than any four guys I ever met," says a colonel who
worked with her in 1986 when she was studying nuclear strategy for the Joint
Chiefs of Staff as a Council on Foreign Relations fellow. "It was awesome. She
talked plays, how things went in the games. It was definitely not cocktail
conversation."
(Rumors flew around the Pentagon at that time that a bunch of Denver Broncos
had pursued her. Rice, who has never been married, confirms she once dated a
professional football player, but declines to discuss her social life further.)
Her early education in Birmingham, she says, was thorough even though her
school ranked low "on anybody's scale of academic assets. I had extraordinary
teachers, all of whom were black, and who spent Tuesday and Thursday nights at
my father's church tutoring to make up for what you couldn't learn in school."
By the time the family moved to Denver when she was 15, she had "no trouble"
entering a highly regarded white Catholic prep school. "My background had been
excellent," she says, "and that was an eye-opener. It can be done in the poorest
of schools."
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a turning point for the family.
"We'd been prepared for it for a long time," she remembers. "There was a real
sense of a coming legacy. Two days after the act went through, we went to a
restaurant to test it out, and I'll never forget going in and having the whole
restaurant kind of stop eating ---- and then pausing for a minute, and then going
back and eating again, and saying, 'Yeah, that's that!' They managed to serve
us, and serve us politely."
Though another time, at a drive-in hamburger joint, they got burgers with no
meat onions only.
"Progress came in fits and starts."
When she ran into Lynda Johnson Robb at a recent Aspen Institute seminar in
Jamaica, Rice told her, = 'I'm part of your father's legacy.' I think she was
moved by it."
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS®
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
5
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
John Rice had always assured his daughter that things would be different
for her generation. "And as it turned out," she says, "things were different for
him, too! He moved to a big, largely white university [the University of Denver,
where he was a vice chancellor], and my mother taught in integrated schools."
Her mother Angelena died of cancer in 1985, and only their faith kept father
and daughter intact. "I was a little angry at God," says John Rice. But he
moved to California to be near Condoleezza, got into community work in the poor
area of East Palo Alto and began rebuilding his life. His daughter believes
"that you are given talents and instinct and direction through faith, and then
you try to use them for the common good if you possibly can."
In her work, this means "issues of war and peace and human values - what WE
think of as political issues - they're bigger than politics. They're about
human beings Politics is the playing out of human aspirations through
governmental structures."
Though Soviet ideologues may never quite grasp it, Rice is "not apologetic"
about her patriotism.
"Maybe that's where historical perspective and knowing other political
systems helps," she says. I don't have rose-colored glasses about the
United States or what it still has to achieve. We have to be sure that there
isn't another 9-year-old in Birmingham who doesn't have full access ...
But I
was part of a generation of black people who, at least in their early years, had
every expectation that we'd grow up to be half-citizens ... I do see tremendous
improvement.
"If you travel abroad, you really do appreciate - not in an arrogant or
chauvinistic way -- what a remarkable place America is. I can see why America is
a beacon for people around the world."
Her career as a Sovietologist almost didn't happen.
She'd been a music major until her junior year at the University of Denver,
planning to become a concert pianist. But one day, when an adviser was talking
about the great musician she would become, she had an epiphany - realizing it
just wasn't in her.
"I started looking around for a major, and I needed one that I could finish
quick," she remembers. "I liked politics. I wasn't quite clear on what
'political science' was, but it sounded interesting."
She graduated cum laude at age 19.
Her principal inspiration there was the late Joseph Korbel, a
Czechoslovakian-born author and diplomat who was ambassador to Yugoslavia at the
time of the Communist coup in 1948. Korbel fled to freedom, and Rice "was 50
moved and intrigued by the personalization of that experience. The story of
leaving everything, making that choice, his foresight in seeing what was going
to happen to Czechoslovakia -- he brought politics and history alive for me."
Korbel also had "an encyclopedic knowledge" of Russian and Eastern European
affairs, and Rice found that the Soviet Union "just held my attention like
nothing else had."
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
6
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
She read "Darkness at Noon" and her interest deepened. "I think it's the
mystery of the system. I've always been attracted to things that were hard to
divine, where you had to be part detective, and it was something of a puzzle. I
like mystery in stories, and when you're studying the Soviet Union, you're
operating a lot in the dark."
She liked the Russian language, too - its musicality and complexity, the
fact that "you can communicate a much wider range of nuance and emotion than in
English." Her father remembers how German, French and Spanish were all dull for
her, "but as soon as she got into Russian she
loved it and it became a
second language immediately."
After Korbel died in 1977, Rice took a seminar at Denver on security issues
in Western Europe from Catherine Kelleher, now head of the Center for
International Security Studies at the University of Maryland. Kelleher "captured
my imagination because she was 50 articulate and clear. It's what I try to do in
my own teaching - communicate your own sense of excitement, that you're reading
the material because you like it."
Her likes are reflected in her recreational reading, which has a strong focus
on World War II and other conflicts -- "what great general made what mistake."
Under Kelleher's guidance, Rice decided to combine her interests in the
Soviet Union and security problems, and began studying the Soviet military.
Although her initial interest was on the "soft side" -- civilian-military
politics -- she soon sharpened her focus.
"I quickly realized," she says, "that it was hard to understand those things
without understanding the 'hard' side -- doctrine, strategy and force posture --
and I got to like military-technical details -- ranges and characteristics of
missiles, the tactics as well as the strategy of warfare, the types and uses of
different kinds of aircraft, the significance of throw-weights."
"She's very respected as a scholar," says Kelleher today. "She has enormous
poise and this ability to move very quickly into a new area and to make it her
own."
Within a few years, Rice was producing what one academic calls
"path-breaking work" on the Soviet military, in particular its organization and
the subtleties of the political alliances and infighting among its general
officers. Her book, "Uncertain Allegiance: The Soviet Union and the Czechoslovak
Army," and scholarly articles such as "The Problem of Elite Cohesion in the
Warsaw Pact" and "The Military-Technical Revolution and the General Staff in the
Soviet Union" have won her a reputation as someone uniquely positioned to
evaluate Soviet progress - or lack of it -- in implementing Gorbachev's
announced changes in military posture.
After getting her PhD from Denver in 1981, Rice signed on with Stanford as
an assistant professor and became a popular lecturer whose classes were often
oversubscribed.
She also began moving in the fast lane with other academics who tend to
rotate in and out of government, making connections at the Hoover Institution on
War, Revolution and Peace, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Aspen Institute
and elsewhere.
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
7
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
One of her new friends was Scowcroft, a national security specialist who had
advised presidents Ford, Nixon, Carter and Reagan and who had become codirector
of the Aspen Strategy Group, a prestigious 20-member think tank that Rice was
invited to join.
She quickly became known, and admired.
If conservatives are apprehensive about her - and they are -- it's because
she's moved in more moderate circles. "Aspen is liberal to moderate," says one
conservative political analyst. "She and Scowcroft, they're happy with the
international security people at Harvard, at Rand. There's a feeling she's not
part of the conservative network."
Rice is regarded by knowledgeable Sovietologists as a cool-headed analyst
rather than a "hard-liner" or "soft-liner," terms that tend to fuzz in the era
of missile deals and glasnost. "The great division now," says Hoover's Robert
Conquest, himself considered to be about as hard-line as you can get, "is
between those who have a reasonable understanding of the motivations of the
Soviets and those who don't."
Helmut Sonnenfeldt of the Brookings Institution, one of the giants in the
field and Rice's tennis buddy at many a far-flung seminar site, thinks she's
"on the conservative side in judging Soviet behavior. She doesn't seem to have
illusions about the Soviets. On the other hand, she's open to acknowledging
changes based on her study of the facts. I don't think she's particularly
ideological, 50 she fits into the general pattern of this administration."
Peter Reddaway, a professor of political science at George Washington
University and an expert on Soviet politics, puts it this way: "She hasn't
suffered from Gorbophoria, which is an occupational danger among
Sovietologists."
When George Bush ran for president, Rice worked occasionally in his
campaign critiquing position papers on foreign policy, and she spent a good deal
of time working in the successful congressional campaign of Stanford law
professor Tom Campbell, also a Republican. Rice has what she calls "an acute
sense of the dangers of being isolated in one party in a strong two-party
system," and wants to help the Republicans become "a party with a heart" in
civil rights matters. But she notes that "it has to be done on both sides --
black America has to be ready to listen." She's not interested in running for
office herself, however. When Republican kingmakers in Palo Alto pressed her to
run for Congress in 1986, she decided that, as a "strong executive-prerogatives
person," she'd feel uncomfortable in Congress.
So when Bush was elected, Rice was ready.
Scowcroft called, and she said yes.
"It wasn't an easy decision," she says, "because I really loved what I was
doing as a teacher and I was very happy in California, but I wanted to work for
him at what I think is a very critical time."
Actually, she had her choice of jobs in the new administration.
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS®
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
8
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
During a whirlwind visit here in January she saw Scowcroft and was courted by
Secretary of State James A. Baker III and then defense secretary-designate John
Tower. She put a deposit on an apartment in Northwest Washington, returned to
Stanford to pack, and started at the NSC early last month.
"I'm
just
overwhelmed
...
I'm actually buried!" she pronounces cheerfully by
phone from her new digs in the West Wing of the White House. = Right in the
middle of a staff meeting the phone rang and my boss said, Condi, it's your
mover, he's at a truck stop in Houston. If
A colleague took her to the president's diplomatic reception her first week
in town. She loves the vitality, the politics, the people in fast-track
Washington. But the city's murders, the drugs, the torment of young street kids
-- these all horrify her. "An educator, that's what I've been," she says. "The
answers lie in going back to first principles with our kids."
She doesn't come to Washington pretending to fully understand the momentous
changes taking place in East-West relations.
"I think the Soviets are in a lot of uncharted territory, too," she says.
"One thing that's clear about the leadership is that it wants the Soviet Union
to be as powerful as it possibly can. What's interesting for us is that
Gorbachev is very adroit at extending influence through mechanisms that we're
not accustomed to seeing."
She's ready for him:
"I am temperamentally conservative, meaning I'm cautious. You don't start
unraveling any of the principal strengths of the United States that have gotten
us to this point."
As for sexism, she'll undoubtedly continue to WOW roomfuls of men.
"I was giving a briefing for the Air Force planners last year in the Pentagon
- one- and two-star generals from all over the country," she recalls, her smile
broadening, "and I suddenly looked out at them and thought, 'You know, this is
really strange, I am the only woman in this room. =
She laughs.
"Then I thought, 'Well, that's life!' =
GRAPHIC: PHOTO, SOVIETOLOGIST CONDOLEEZZA RICE READING PRAVDA IN HER WEST WING
OFFICE YESTERDAY. LUCIAN PERKINS; PHOTO
TYPE:
NATIONAL NEWS, BIOGRAPHY
SUBJECT:
APPOINTMENTS; APPOINTED GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS; BLACK
ORGANIZATION:
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
LEXIS® NEXIS® LEXIS® NEXIS®
Services of Mead Data Central
PAGE
9
(c) 1989 The Washington Post, March 17, 1989
NAMED-PERSONS:
CONDOLEEZZA RICE
ENHANCEMENT:
AGE
LEXIS® ® NEXIS® ® LEXIS® NEXIS® ®
rch
1990
NEW YORK POST
page
21
BEWARE
A SOVIET COLLAPSE
The crisis in the Soviet
BY HENRY A.
economy is by now familiar,
Deprived of the instru-
KISSINGER
and so are the necessary
ments of state power, East
solutions. Yet no centrally
European Communist par-
T
HAT the crisis of Soviet
planned economy has ever
ties, not designed for demo-
communism has ended
managed the transition to
cratic contest, are disinte-
the Cold War is by now
market economics.
grating at the first whiff of
axiomatic, but what kind of
The Soviet Union has so far
open politics.
world is to follow is far from
taken only the most tentative
Because the countries in
clear.
steps in the direction of price
Eastern Europe had the ad-
The dominant view in the
reform and the ending of
vantage of a national tradi-
West seems to be that the up-
subsidies, two preconditions
tion, the collapse of unpopu-
heavals in the communist
for the establishment of
lar Communist parties
world have been caused by
market economics. China
spurred political cohesion.
and must be managed by
came closest to taking these
But disintegration of the
Mikhail S. Gorbachev. The
steps but suffered the catas-
Communist Party of the
presumed conversion of the
trophe of Tiananmen Square
Soviet Union is unlikely to
West's erstwhile adversaries
largely because economic re-
have the same result.
to pluralism and market eco-
form outgrew the Chinese
For the Soviet Union is an
nomics is believed by many
political institutions' toler-
empire, not a national state.
to have ended not only the
ance for it.
Only slightly more than half
Cold War but history itself.
To avoid this outcome,
its population is Russian;
Such views will leave the
Gorbachev is giving top pri-
glasnost has not produced
democracies - at the mo-
ority to political reform.
even the hint of an all-Soviet
ment of their greatest
He is in a better position
non-Communist party.
triumph - dangerously ir-
than anyone to gauge two
The real political contests
relevant in the emerging
heretofore insuperable politi-
are being waged inside the
new world.
cal obstacles, which are that
Politburo and inside the con-
For the deeper the up-
the Communist Party is in-
stituent republics. Glasnost
heaval of the old order, the
stitutionally committed to
tempts the Communist Par-
more urgent is the task of
central planning, and that
ty in the various republics to
constructing a new one.
the longer a communist sys-
become independent of Mos-
And in the end, the out-
tem governs, the more
cow, a process accelerated
come of Gorbachev's revolu-
surely it deprives its leader-
by opposing non-Communist
tion is far from clear; it may
ship of the moral authority
produce, rather than a linear
to ask sacrifices of its people.
parties nationalistic. even more stridently
progression toward democ-
racy, chaos, the replacement
NO Soviet leader has ever re-
of one-party rule by one-man
GORBACHEV has shown
tired voluntarily. Nor has the
rule and repression, or all
breathtaking skill in neutral-
reputation of any Soviet
three in succession.
izing potential opposition.
leader other than Lenin sur-
But it remains to be seen
vived his own death. A soci-
THE West diminishes both
whether it is possible to
Gorbachev and itself by giv-
ety incapable of generating
carry out a program of re-
heroes or even continuity is
ing him all the credit for
form on the basis of the dis-
also not in a position to de-
what is happening in the
array of the opposition.
mand sacrifice.
communist world.
Doing somersaults on a
Gorbachev's political re-
Gorbachev's policies did
high wire inspires more awe
forms seek to weaken the
than a sense of direction. I
not arise from a blinding
resistance of the communist
flash of insight; like all seri-
believe - unhappily - that
bureaucracy by giving him a
the least likely outcome is
ous political leaders, he has
popular legitimacy. But in
had to respond to necessity.
the linear evolution to plural-
Gorbachev is a remarkable
Eastern Europe opening up
istic democracy and market
the Communist Party has
economics on which the
personality who deserves
proved to be its death knell.
great credit for. acting coura-
West places so much hope.
Democracy requires a be-
The relative pluralism now
geously to overcome the
lief that the contest of ideas
crisis of his society. But it is
emerging in the Soviet Union
will produce something close
the steadfastness of the
may have as its ultimate re-
to the truth.
democracies in resisting
sult a virulent nationalism in
By contrast, communists,
communist expansionism
the constituent republics
regarding themselves as the
over the course of four de-
and, on the all-Soviet level,
cades that created the inter-
the replacement of one-party
national environment in
rule by one-man rule, in ef-
which he finds himself.
fect making Gorbachev the
czar.
And, internally, three real-
West must
ities have driven the changes
Once in the possession of
in the Soviet Union: the col-
allow Moscow
the trappings of state power,
lapse of the economy; the dif-
his course, and even more
ficulty that mature commu-
time to get
that of his successor, be-
nist systems have in achiev-
comes unpredictable. It
ing political legitimacy, and
its domestic
could be stagnation, chaos
and repression.
the nationalities problem.
Like the popular Russian
house in order
There is a need to consider
dolls, each of these is en-
more deeply Gorbachev's
role and the West's relation-
sconced within the other.
Gorbachev's dilemma is that
ship to him. History will al-
repositories of historical
the ideal solution for each
ways remember him for
truth, consider the very idea
having stood aside while
one is to a considerable ex-
of compromise a bourgeois
Eastern Europe freed itself
tent incompatible with the
evasion that deflects them
best solution for the others.
and for having started the
from seizing and holding
transformation of the Soviet
power.
state.
page
38
of
49
NEW YORK POST
page
rch
1990
,
If the Soviet Union contin-
Russia was the driving
ues to reduce the percentage
force first behind the Holy
All this must be accom-
of its gross national product
Alliance, among Russia,
plished while keeping in
devoted to defense and con-
Prussia and Austria in 1815,
mind a diametrically oppo-
tinues its retreat from far-
and then behind Pan-Slav-
site danger to the peace of
flung outposts such as Cuba,
ism, in both cases claiming
the world: the possibility of a
assistance in speeding the
rights of intervention long
breakup of the Soviet state.
supply of consumer goods
before the Brezhnev Doc.
The West can have no more
and technical help as
trine arrived on the scene.
of an interest in the disinte-
sketched by Secretary of
It may turn out to be one of
gration of the Soviet Union
State James A. Baker and
history's jokes that the suc-
than in its expansion.
proposed by the Czechoslo-
I would except the Baltic
vakian President Vaclav
cessors of Lenin will end up
holding the Russian state to-
republics. Their annexation,
Havel is surely appropriate.
gether by the practices of the
never having been recog-
But in the end Gorbachev's
heirs of Peter the Great.
nized by the West in the hey-
most intractable problems
The nationalism of the
day of Soviet power, cannot
will be beyond the reach of
smaller Soviet republics has
now be accepted in the
outside powers. Like all revo-
already stimulated a viru-
period of glasnost and pere-
lutionaries, Gorbachev could
stroika.
lent counterpart in the Rus-
well be consumed by the pro-
sian Republic itself, which
But for the rest, the West
contains more than half the
must take great care to
cess he has started.
Gearing Western policies
population. But Russian na-
avoid steps with unforesee-
tionalism has always been
able consequences.
largely to the desire to "help"
repressive and expansionist.
The collapse of authority in
Gorbachev would create
three points of vulnerability
If Gorbachev or his succes-
a country that possesses tens
for the West:
sors choose or are driven to
of thousands of nuclear wea-
that course they will almost
pons and scores of nuclear-
It would tempt Gorba-
surely collide with the
power plants must be of
chev to turn his tenure into
human-rights conviction of
greatest concern to all hu-
the principal quid pro quo of
diplomacy.
the democracies. This in
manity.
The problem is SO terrify-
It would create paralysis
ing and so contrary to tradi-
in the democracies if he is
tional notions of sovereignty
engulfed by the conse-
that it has received no sys-
quences of his own achieve-
ments.
The dangers
tematic attention and re-
quires cogent study.
It would damage the
of failure:
The nuclear problem aside,
credibility of leaders who
the breakup of the Soviet
have staked too much on a
A return to
Union would be bound to pro-
single Soviet personality,
however meritorious.
duce an extraordinary cycle
repression
of violence. Like a movie run
The most worrisome out-
in reverse. it could play back
comes of the crisis of com-
at home,
a brutal two centuries and in
munism are two sides of the
the end draw in all surround-
same coin: on the one hand, a
aggression
ing countries whose competi-
return to traditional Great
Russian repression of the na-
tion provided the temptation
abroad
for Soviet expansion in the
tionalities; on the other, the
first place.
disintegration of the Russian
empire built up in the 400
years since Ivan the Terri-
turn will be perceived in
TO be sure,-if-Moscow is una-
ble.
Moscow as a threat to the
ble to preserve the Russian
A nationalistic Russia
cohesion of the state, rekind-
state, neither Washington
ling distrust and tension.
nor the other democracies
could in time resume the
are in a position to do so.
pressures to which imperial
Russia subjected all contigu-
THE challenge to the foreign
But the West can practice
ous areas in Europe and Asia
policy of the democracies is
circumspection, though ex-
for more than 200 years.
to use the hiatus in which
perience must have taught
A disintegrating Russia
Moscow has to give priority
Moscow that there is a level
could tempt neighboring
to its domestic problems and
of repression which jeopard-
put in place a security sys-
izes the democracies domes-
countries to restore historic
tem seeking to transcend the
tic support for a policy of de-
ties with their kinsmen or
tente.
simply to carve up the Soviet
historic Russian quest for
absolute security, which has
Coming to grips with such
Union on the basis of tradi-
tional expansionism.
meant absolute insecurity
contradictory prospects will
force America to examine
The world has suffered so
for everyone elsé.
much at the hands of com-
In Europe such a security
categories of thought it has
munist ideology that it has
system should return Soviet
historically rejected: to act
not with missionary zeal but
nearly forgotten how uncom-
fortable a neighbor czarist
armies to national territory
as custodian of an equilibri-
as quickly as possible.
Russia had been.
um, and to adjust policies to
The intricate balance of
the fluctuating requirements
Often invaded across a flat
arms-control negotiations
of a balance of power rather
plain without natural fron-
along existing military di-
than to fixed legal principles
tiers, Russia, it is under-
viding lines obscures the real
or a doc'rine of collective se-
standable, grew to identify
problem of establishing a
curity.
security with pushing out its
frontiers as far as possible.
line. realistic political dividing
In that sense, the ultimate
But however understand-
challenge to U.S. foreign
But once Soviet troops are
policy is philosophical.
able, it caused the Russian
empire throughout its his-
returned to Soviet territory
such a system must then
Henry A. Kissinger's anal-
tory to seek to dismantle
also strive for an arrange-
yses of world events appear
every power center within its
ment that genuinely reduces
monthly in The Post.
reach: Poland, Turkey,
Sweden, the Austro-Hungar-
the Soviet fears of military
ian empire, China, India.
attack from Europe.
Moreover, Russian foreign
policy has had a strong mis-
sionary streak.
39
of
49
nage
Center for Strategic & International Studies Conference
The 1990s: Critical Change
1 April 1989
Robert M. Gates
Deputy Assistant to the President
for National Security Affairs
Gorbachev and Critical Change in the Soviet Union:
Implications for the West
It is an honor to speak to this distinguished audience
examining critical change in the 1990s. I can think of no more
appropriate or timely topic, for we are in a truly extraordinary
period. Europe is moving steadily toward greater economic and
political integration in 1992. Authoritarian governments from the
Philippines and the Republic of Korea in the East to Latin America
in the West are giving way to democracy. China is in the midst of
a momentous reform program, and, in the Soviet Union, a revolution
from above has been launched, albeit with no assurance it will
succeed. Capitalism and democracy are ascendant; economic
statism and political despotism are in retreat.
1
There has been a remarkable change in the relationship
between the United States and the Soviet Union over the past two
years, including the signing of the Treaty on Intermediate Range
Nuclear Forces. The Soviets have announced a first and important
step toward reducing their overwhelming conventional force
advantage in Europe. Conventional force reduction negotiations
opened last month and negotiations on strategic force reductions
will resume in the near future. A Sino-Soviet Summit is scheduled
for mid-May. The Soviets have withdrawn from Afghanistan, the
Vietnamese may be leaving Cambodia, and a settlement getting the
Cubans and South Africans out of Angola has been negotiated.
Exhausted, Iraq and Iran have agreed to and are, in the main,
observing a ceasefire. Structural change is reshaping international
economic relationships in dramatic ways.
Accordingly, critical change in the 1990s is a most appropriate
subject. It certainly is a subject with which the Bush Administration
has been preoccupied for the last two months. Resisting the siren
song of the quick fix and the big headline, we actually are trying to
think about the 1990s -- to absorb and understand the many
2
changes that have taken place in recent years, those that are still
underway, and those that are only just above the horizon of the
future. Our task, then, is to devise policies that look to the end of
the century and beyond. We are working to develop economic,
political, military and arms control strategies that are grounded in
reality and yet build upon opportunities for constructive, stabilizing
change. We see opportunities to expand freedom, to strengthen
both peace and security at lower levels of military forces, to
enhance economic growth and extend it, and to promote
international cooperation on such common problems as terrorism,
drugs, the environment, and the spread of chemical and biological
weapons and the means to deliver them.
Seizing such opportunities requires preparation and planning.
Too often the energies and time of senior officials are consumed
day in and day out by the crisis of the moment -- a diplomatic
demarche, a newspaper story, a Congressional hearing, a
bureaucratic dispute or a multitude of other short-term
preoccupations. We in government, as a rule, spend too little time
thinking about and planning for the future. We spend too little time
reflecting on history and experience; we neglect strategy for tactics.
3
The Bush Administration is trying to resist this. Accordingly, our
reviews of the international setting and our policies are focused on
the development of long range strategy. Failure to take stock, to
understand, to look ahead, and to plan would ensure failure to seize
the opportunities we see now and discern in the future.
This brings me to the Soviet Union. On this subject, more
than on any other, there has been speculation about the views of
the new administration and directions the President will take. We
have heard such nuanced and sophisticated questions as "Should
we help Gorbachev" -- and we have resisted the temptation of
monosyllabic answers. I expect our Soviet review to be complete
very soon. This afternoon, rather than focus prematurely on
possible outcomes or specific policies, I want to share with you the
framework within which we approach the Soviet-American
relationship.
We do live in a time of dramatic change -- change that now
has spread to the Soviet Union. The failure of a system of
government -- economic, political, social and moral failure .. is a
powerful inducement to dramatic departures from the past, to
4
unprecedented distancing from many of the precepts that have
guided the system for so long. It is the self-evident failure of the
Soviet system, and the absolute imperative to change it, that form
Gorbachev's mandate, are his primary sources of political support,
shape his radicalism, and cause us all to wonder if the wheel of
history is at last about to turn for that vast empire. Regardless of
the substantial odds against him, we take seriously Gorbachev's
determination to modernize the Soviet economy. We applaud the
measures he has taken to increase openness in the press, to ease
restrictions on religion, to take the first faltering steps toward
democratization, and to contribute constructively to settling certain
international disputes. We welcome his commitment to reduce
Soviet conventional forces and to pursue a further relaxation of
tensions and arms control. These are all positive steps, and they
have led to widespread hope and optimism. We, too, are hopeful.
At the same time, long term policy must not be based on
hopes, but on past experience, present realities and future
probabilities -- as well as possibilities. Just as I believe we must try
to look well into to the future in developing foreign policy, I also
advocate looking to the past -- examining the historical record for
5
insights pertinent to the future. This is especially true with respect
to the Soviet Union, where Western views too often are shaped by
the latest leadership change, pronouncement or enticing proposal.
Looking back over one's shoulder with respect to the USSR is
not for the faint hearted. What we see, above all, is a system of
rule that over a seventy year period has brought to the peoples of
the old Russian empire suffering on a scale previously unknown in
human history. Mentioning this often elicits a reaction similar to a
display of bad manners at a dinner party or a dismissive gesture
suggesting the irrelevance of this past to our future. Commonly, the
horrors of Soviet history are blamed on Stalin, both within and
outside of the Soviet Union. Yet, I believe it essential for us today
to understand that this record is not confined to the Stalin era
alone, was not the doing of a single demented leader, but covers
the entirety of Soviet history, and is the product of the very nature
of the system itself.
Soviet history did not begin in the Spring of 1985. A brief
reminder of the record and of the cycles in that record are useful,
even for an audience as well informed as this one.
6
-- Under Lenin, 10 million people were killed in the civil war from
1918 to 1920, and another 5 million died in the War
Communism famine of 1921-22. In 1921, in the midst of
catastrophe, Lenin set a precedent for his successors by
retreating, falling back to tried and true methods of economic
growth -- private markets, small private business,
denationalization, and legalization of private trade. By 1923, 83
percent of retail trade had been privatized. Whether the New
Economic Policy and associated measures would have endured
had Lenin lived is one of those finally unanswerable questions.
Regardless, Lenin himself admitted, "We showed quite clearly
that we cannot run the economy." Truer and more prophetic
words were never spoken. While economic policy might have
turned out rather differently, I believe Lenin contemplated no
such flexibility in terms of politics -- the controlling monopoly
of the Communist party.
Meanwhile, in another precedent important for the future, as
early as 1920-21, facing disastrous internal problems, Lenin
turned to the West for help, signing trade treaties with Britain,
7
Norway, Italy and Sweden and obtaining a major loan from
France. By 1921, the American Relief Administration was
feeding nearly 10 million Soviet citizens.
--
Under Stalin, another 14 million people died from 1928 to 1937
-- the war against the peasants. Countless more were killed in
the Great Terror, as Stalin first purged the Party and then the
military to eliminate opposition, both real and imagined. By
the late 1930s, some 12 million people were in forced labor
camps. Constant terror and periodic purges were
characteristic of the Soviet regime to the very end of Stalin's
life in 1953.
At the same time, Stalin eagerly and successfully sought
foreign assistance for the Soviet regime from the United States,
Britain, Germany, Italy and France. The majority of the largest
Soviet power plants before the war were built by the British
firm Metropolitan-Vickers; western companies designed, built
and equipped the industrial complexes at Magnitogorsk and
Kuznetsk as well as the Urals Machine Works, and many more.
The great Dnepr dam was built by the firm of Colonel Hugh
8
Cooper, an American hydraulic engineer. And, yet, during the
period before the war the Soviet Union intervened in the
Spanish Civil War, invaded Finland, and with Hitler's blessing
seized the Baltic States and carved up Poland. I need hardly
mention Soviet expansionism in Europe, Southwest Asia and
East Asia in the immediate post-war period.
-- Khrushchev, as described by the emigre historians Heller and
Nekrich, demonstrated that the system could forego mass
terror without altering the Stalinist socialist state. This more
selective terror stopped at the doors of the Central Committee
as Khrushchev released millions from Stalin's camps but soon
began refilling them. The means of intimidation became more
sophisticated with the use of psychiatric incarcerations and
other punishments.
Domestic reform again became the order of the day as
Khrushchev moved to decentralize and modernize the
economy, made management more flexible and eased
pressures on the rural population. Under Khrushchev, the
Soviet authorities declared their intention to increase
9
production of consumer goods and food. They again turned to
private plots in agriculture and espoused the need for material
relief of the people. He launched an anti-corruption campaign,
sought to have senior party officials elected by secret ballot to
limited terms of office, and tried to limit the privileges of senior
officials. And in 1962, the Liberman economic reforms were
begun with the central theme that profitability would be the
main criterion for gauging the economic performance of
enterprises.
Remember the "Thaw" of the 1950s -- the first and last time to
this day that a work of Alexander Solzenitsyn has been
published in the USSR? A new openness emerged as the
central newspapers published thousands of complaints about
the arbitrariness of local leaders and demands for legality.
And, of course, Khrushchev exposed many of the crimes of the
Stalin period.
Meanwhile the new Soviet leaders moved immediately to
normalize relations -- to establish a detente -- with the United
States and the West. The Korean Armistice was signed in July
10
1953, a cease fire was quickly agreed in Indochina and in
1955, Soviet forces left Austria. Eisenhower and Khrushchev
met in Geneva and the Soviet leader visited the United States.
Khrushchev unilaterally reduced conventional military forces by
1.8 million men between 1955 and 1957. There was much talk
of the end of the cold war. Yet, during this period the Soviets
crushed revolts in East Germany and Hungary, built and
deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles for the first time,
sent some of those missiles to Cuba, precipitated several
dangerous crises in Berlin and built the Berlin Wall.
-- The popular impression of the Brezhnev period, reinforced by
Gorbachev, is one of doddering old men presiding ineffectively
and incompetently over a stagnating economy while pursuing
detente and arms control with the West. This is Western
historical amnesia and Soviet selectivity, if not disinformation.
In 1965, the Soviet leaders already knew their economy was in
serious difficulty. They ratified many of Khrushchev's
economic reforms, with the Liberman concepts at the core.
The leadership turned again to the law of supply and demand,
11
material incentives and broad autonomy. Premier Kosygin
tried to implement significant reforms, but plainly Brezhnev and
the rest of the Politburo had little interest in paying any
political, economic or social price to pursue reform. Then, as
now, they tried to reconcile the irreconcilable: to enlarge the
rights of individual enterprises and also restore the power of
the central economic ministries.
By the late sixties, twin crises enveloped the USSR -- a
political crisis reflecting the nationalities problem, and an
economic crisis as growth decreased sharply. Brezhnev
needed a breathing spell and, as so often in Soviet history,
outside assistance. The West was happy to oblige.
Relationships with Europe and the United States blossomed.
Tensions relaxed, warmer relationships were cultivated with
European countries, the Quadripartite Treaty on Berlin was
concluded, the first SALT Treaty and many narrower technical
agreements were signed with the US, and Western trade,
credits and technology flowed.
Yet, consider what Brezhnev was up to elsewhere during this
12
same period. His was the regime that invaded Czechoslovakia
in 1968 and crushed the Prague Spring. The Western
reaction? President Johnson said, "We hope -- and we shall
strive -- to make this setback a temporary one." The then
French Foreign Minister said it was "an unpleasant incident
along the road." The next year, the Soviets attacked China
along the Ussuri River and dropped heavy hints, including in
Washington, that a nuclear attack against China was under
consideration. Recklessly or intentionally, the Soviets helped
provoke the 1967 Middle East War. In the mid-1970s, they
supported Cuban surrogate forces in Angola and Ethiopia.
The same leaders toasted in the West provided the wherewithal
for North Vietnam's final conquest of the South, underwrote the
Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua, and sold $12 billion worth
of weapons to Libya. In 1979, Brezhnev ordered the invasion
of Afghanistan. In 1980-81, this leadership forced the
imposition of martial law in Poland and the suppression of
Solidarity. And, all of this took place against the backdrop of
the greatest peacetime military buildup in history.
We also have too easily forgotten the wave of internal
13
repression inside the Soviet Union during this period. In 1965,
there were mass arrests of those involved in nationalist
movements in the Ukraine, Lithuania and the Transcaucasus.
The first show trials since Stalin convicted Sinyavsky and
Daniel in 1966 for slandering the Soviet state. Political trials
all over the USSR followed -- in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev,
Lvov, Gorky, Riga, Tashkent and Omsk. Remember Aleksandr
Ginzburg, Pavel Litvinov, Yuri Galanskov and all the others?
By the late 1970s, the KGB had destroyed the dissident and
human rights movements.
:
Finally, Andropov, as head of the KGB architect of the
suppression of dissent. His contribution as General Secretary
to solving the Soviet crisis? Tighter discipline, a call to arms
against "consumer instincts," squeezing the fat out of the
economy - but not a single substantial reform. During his
fifteen months in the top job, we saw wide scale arrests of
dissidents, Baptists, Jews and many others.
I offer this thumbnail sketch of Soviet history to underscore
that our view of the Soviet Union cannot be based on the
14
personality of one or another leader, but must be based on the
nature of the Soviet system itself. We face a deeply entrenched
philosophy and system of government that to date has depended
upon repression at home and promoted aggression beyond its
borders. It is the Soviet system itself, and the 70 year continuity we
see from leader to leader, from Lenin to Chernenko, and even
Gorbachev, that shapes our view of the USSR. Gorbachev is
challenging some aspects of this system but even he acknowledges
he has not yet significantly changed it. We cannot ignore Soviet
history or the apparent strength and durability of the system that
produced it. Nor can we ignore the cyclical turn to reform, "detente"
and foreign assistance each time the system has hovered on the
brink of catastrophe or fallen into it.
Le Monde has said, "One cannot minimize the scope of this
reform. By every available measure, it is without doubt of the first
importance It will have major consequences if it runs its course.
Gradually, the entire Soviet system of planning will be overturned."
Regrettably, those words were published in December 1964.
In important respects, Gorbachev has made quite clear he has
15
no intention of dismantling fundamental features of the system.
There will be no political party but the Communist Party, as
demonstrated by the prompt crushing of the Democratic Union. The
economy is, and will remain, governed by political decisions. Rights
are granted by the Party to the people. Glasnost is a grant,
possibly temporary, from Gorbachev to the Soviet people suited to
his own political needs and purposes. Indeed, it seems clear that
Gorbachev turned to political reform only because he concluded that
it had become necessary to achieve his economic objectives.
Moreover, we cannot make long-term decisions and devise
strategies affecting freedom and the future that depend on the
continued political (or even physical) survival of one man. Indeed,
not a leader in the West goes to bed unaware that he or she could
wake up to a new Soviet counterpart. Unlike any Western or other
modern state, politics at the highest level in the Kremlin today are
as hidden from public view as in generations past. Much has
changed, but more that is fundamental remains the same.
In sum, we proceed with care and prudence because we are
dealing with a system where the roots of oppression, aggression,
16
and secrecy are deep, because for seventy years we repeatedly
have seen a system in crisis proclaim reform and turn to the West
for help while the essential features of that system at the end of the
day remained unchanged.
Prudence, however, is not synonymous with inaction. Nor is
wariness to be equated with pessimism and cynicism. It would be
the worst sort of myopia not to recognize that profound changes are
underway in the Soviet Union. There is a degree of openness and
vigor of political debate in the USSR unknown since the days of the
first (or February) revolution in 1917. Indeed, we need only reflect
on the openness of debate at the Party Conference last summer or
the elections this last week. (Who could not be amazed at the
defeat of the Leningrad Party Chief, who ran unopposed, or the
demonstration of support for Boris Yeltsin?) In a number of areas --
Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, conventional force reductions,
various aspects of arms control, China -- we are seeing the Soviets
change their policies, abandon old positions, and remove
themselves from longstanding dead-ends. We do see "new thinking"
in some areas, although in others -- as in Central America and the
Middle East -- the old ways of thinking and behavior remain.
17
We are generally encouraged by what we see. Maybe this
time things will be different. The changes plainly offer opportunities
-- opportunities for further reducing tensions, for enhancing strategic
stability, for promoting human rights and democracy, for arms
control, and for cooperation on transnational issues such as the
environment, narcotics trafficking, and stopping the proliferation of
chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
Ironically, given Gorbachev's priorities, the pace of some
aspects of political change is far outstripping economic
modernization and performance. Indeed, what Gorbachev has set in
motion represents a political earthquake. He is pulling all of the
levers of change in a society and culture that historically has
resisted change -- and where change usually has been violent and
wrenching. He is a figure of enormous historical importance. The
forces he has unleashed are powerful but so are the people and
institutions he has antagonized -- thus setting in motion a
tremendous power struggle and purge no less dramatic for the
absence of show trials and terror. The outcome is by no means
clear, and prolonged turbulence seems certain.
18
Gorbachev seeks a system in which some -- though certainly
not all -- elements of the Stalinist economic structure and
bureaucracy are eliminated thus opening the way to greater
flexibility and innovation and thereby to modernization and improved
performance. However, elections notwithstanding, Gorbachev's
Leninism still means the continued political monopoly of the
Communist Party. Gorbachev's dictatorship of the Communist Party
remains untouched and untouchable. He seeks still a system based
on the same Leninist political principles that guided his
predecessors. As he said in 1987, "We will not retreat an inch from
the path of socialism, of Marxism-Leninism."
Westerners for centuries have hoped repeatedly that Russian
economic modernization and political reform -- even revolution -
signaled an end to despotism. Repeatedly since 1917, the West has
hoped that domestic changes in the USSR would lead to changes in
Communist coercive rule at home and aggressiveness abroad.
These hopes, dashed time and again, have been revived by
Gorbachev's radical domestic agenda, innovative foreign policy and
personal style.
19
Enduring characteristics of Soviet governance at home and
policy abroad make it clear that -- while the changes underway offer
opportunities for a relaxation of tensions and for cooperation in
many areas -- Gorbachev intends improved Soviet economic
performance, greater political vitality at home, and more dynamic
diplomacy to make the USSR a more competitive and stronger
adversary in the years ahead.
What we seek is a Soviet Union that is pluralistic internally,
non-interventionist externally, observes basic human rights,
contributes to international stability and tranquility, and a Soviet
Union where these changes are more than an edict from the top
and are independent of the views, power and durability of a single
individual. We can hope for such change but all of Russian and
Soviet history tells us to be skeptical and cautious.
We cannot -- and should not -- close our eyes to momentous
developments in the USSR. But we should not make concessions
based on hope and popular enthusiasms in the West or attractive
personalities in the USSR. We should, however, take advantage of
20
opportunities where the terms are favorable to us, where we can
solve problems to mutual advantage, or where we can bring about
desirable changes in Soviet policies -- whether to promote human
rights, freer emigration, solutions to Soviet generated problems such
as Afghanistan, reduce the military threat or even to expand
business ties (if there is no transfer of sensitive technology). Above
all, we must establish realistic criteria by which we can judge in the
coming months and years whether political or economic change in
the Soviet Union genuinely is reshaping the foundations of the
system -- or whether the historically oppressive structure of the
Soviet Union, including the instruments of central control and
repression, endures discreetly in the shadows, available at the
beckon of Gorbachev's successor, or even for Gorbachev.
Gorbachev has spoken of a European home, from the Atlantic
to the Urals. But "Europe" and "the West" are not just geographic
terms. They represent a community and continuity of values, a
common historical experience reflected in this year's bicentennial
celebration of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the
inauguration of our First President under the Constitution. The
principles set forth in these two documents compared to the central
21
tenets of Leninism still held dear by Gorbachev mark the distance
that remains between us.
For all the changes underway, the Soviet Union philosophically
and politically still embodies the primacy of the State over the
individual. Because of this unbridgeable difference in values and
beliefs, whether Gorbachev succeeds, fails, or just survives, a still
long competition and struggle with the Soviet Union lie before us.
Preserving the peace and fostering an enduring relaxation of
tensions even as the competition continues depends upon seeing
this reality clearly. Keeping this long range perspective -- with keen
awareness of perhaps unprecedented opportunities as well as the
dangers -- will be an extraordinary challenge for the United States
and the Western democracies.
22
Sec. CAVA305
200
2
Hispanic/mostly Mex. Am
may 5, 1862 - Puella under Bunto They
daincing children - -
SAKHAROV
a preview of the hurly-burly life that now awaited us.
Lusia and I were almost buried under the load of the
ALAIN NOGUES-SYGMA
first few months in Moscow. I spent time preparing written
responses for almost all major interviews. People passed
through the house endlessly. Lusia cooked for a whole
crowd. Long after midnight, it was not uncommon to find
her, despite her heart attacks and her bypasses, mopping
the landing-our building is self-service-and me still at
work on a statement.
Gorbachev: A Cry for Help
One subject that came up in every interview was my at-
titude toward Gorbachev and perestroika. In 1985, while
still confined in Semashko Hospital, I watched one of Gor-
bachev's early television appearances, and I told my room-
mates, "It looks as if our country's lucky. We've got an in-
telligent leader." My initial, positive reaction has remained
basically unchanged. Gorbachev, like Khrushchev, is an ex-
traordinary personality who has managed to break free of
the limits customarily respected by the party bureaucracy.
What explains the inconsistencies and half measures of the
new course? The main stumbling block is the inertia of a gi-
gantic system, the resistance, passive and active, of the in-
BATTLING EACH DAY FOR LIFE AND FREEDOM
numerable bureaucratic and ideological windbags. Most of
them will be out of a job if there is a real perestroika. Gorba-
On Feb. 5, 1987, a delegation organized by the U.S.
chev has spoken of this bureaucratic resistance in some
Council on Foreign Relations came to see me. I stressed
speeches, and it sounds like a cry for help.
the West's vital interest in having the U.S.S.R. become an
But there's more to it than that. The old system, for all
open, democratic society. Henry Kissinger posed a blunt
its drawbacks, worked. And people had grown used to the
question: "Is there a danger that the U.S.S.R. will first ef-
old system, which at least guaranteed a certain minimal
fect a democratic transformation, accelerating its scientific
standard of living. Who knows what the new one will bring?
and technological progress and improving its economy,
And lastly, Gorbachev and his close associates themselves
and then revert to expansionist policies and pose an even
may still not be completely free of the prejudices and dog-
greater threat to peace?"
mas of the system they wish to reform.
I replied that what people should fear is not the develop-
Restructuring the command-type economic system in
ment of an open, stable society with a powerful peacetime
our country is an extremely complex matter. Without mar-
economy in the U.S.S.R. but a disruption of the world's equi-
ket relations and elements of competition, we are bound to
librium and the single-minded military buildup of an internal-
see serious shortages, inflation and other negative phe-
ly closed and externally expansionist society. I believe the
nomena. Our country is already experiencing economic
West should actively support the process of perestroika, coop-
difficulties; everywhere, food and other necessities are in
erating with the U.S.S.R. on disarmament and on economic,
short supply. Another thing troubles me greatly: the zig-
scientific and cultural issues. But this support should be given
zags on the road to democracy. Gorbachev is trying to gain
with eyes wide open, not unconditionally. Opponents of
control of the political situation and strengthen his person-
perestroika should understand that a retreat from reform
al power by compromising with the forces opposed to
would mean immediate termination of Western assistance.
perestroika instead of relying on democratic reforms.
In a futurological article I wrote in 1974, "The World Af-
That's extremely dangerous. Only a nationwide swell of ini-
ter 50 Years," I concluded, "I hope that mankind will be able
tiative can give substance to democracy, and our "chiefs"
to put an end to the dangers threatening us and to continue
have shown they're not ready for this.
its progress while preserving everything that makes us hu-
The gradual replacement of key personnel, the coun-
man." I would like to conclude this book too with those
try's objective need for perestroika, and the fact that "the
words. Today, as I approach the eighth decade of my life, my
new always beats the old" (to quote Stalin's famous
personal aspirations and my entire existence center on my
phrase) should all work in Gorbachev's favor. He has four
beloved wife, my children and grandchildren, and all those
levers he can use to move the country forward: glasnost
who are dear to me.
(this is proceeding under its own steam); the new person-
This volume of memoirs is dedicated to my beloved Lu-
nel policies; the new international policies aimed at slow-
sia. What matters most is that she and I are together.
ing the arms race; and democratization.
My positive attitude toward perestroika is not accepted
On the night of Dec. 14, 1989, Andrei Sakharov returned
by everyone: it especially upsets some dissidents in the
to his Moscow apartment from a heated meeting of radical
U.S.S.R. and some émigrés in the West. One Russian-lan-
parliamentarians where he had called for the formation of an
guage newspaper in New York City printed an article with
alternative party to oppose the Communists, lay down for a
the headline THE PARDONED SLAVE HELPS HIS MASTER, or
пар and never awoke. He was 68 when a heart attack felled
something of the sort.
him. He had been a free man for less than three years.
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
63
TOTAL RECALL
Schwarzenegger showing his tenacity in a sci-fi fantasy from Tri-Star/Carolco
Business
$
50+
million
Shooting
The Works
DICK TRACY
Lights! Camera! Money! Hollywood is on a spree!
Disney, Beatty
and Madonna too
dios are lavishing breathtaking sums on ev-
tween late May and Labor Day.
By JOHN GREENWALD
erything from stars to scripts to scenery.
The lineup is once again
he script called for blizzard scenes
Hollywood now spends an average of
heavy with sequels and ac-
T
at a major airport. To film it, the
$23.5 million to produce a major movie, up
tion flicks. Among them:
entire cast and crew of this sum-
40% from 1985. (The Consumer Price In-
$
Universal's $40 million
mer's Die Hard 2 embarked on a
dex rose just 14.5% over the same period.)
Back to the Future III; Dis-
multimillion-dollar odyssey last December
"Studios just keep piling on the cost, think-
30
ney's $30 million Dick Tra-
that led them to normally snowy Denver
ing that they will get it back somewhere,"
million
cy, starring Warren Beatty
and northern Michigan. But relentlessly
says Jerome Gold, director of the media
and Madonna; Warner
mild weather in both places forced 20th
and entertainment division of the Ernst &
Bros.' $32 million Gremlins 2; and Para-
Century Fox to abandon its costly snow
Young accounting firm.
mount's $45 million Another 48 Hrs. "This
chase and shoot the sequel to the 1988
The moguls throw their biggest bucks
is the summer of the blockbuster," says
Bruce Willis thriller on a Los Angeles
at films released during the summer
Sidney Ganis, president of the Paramount
sound stage. As if that humiliation was not
months. "Kids can see three pictures in a
Motion Picture Group. "If one or more of
enough, the delays and moving expenses
week," notes Roger Birnbaum, Fox's presi-
them fail, next summer there won't be
helped push the film's original $40 million
dent of production. "There are no school
nearly as many rolling."
budget to as high as $60 million.
nights." Summer hits accounted for 40% of
The cost of such movies largely reflects
While the ornery weather may turn Die
the record $5 billion that films raked in at
the price that studios pay for the handful of
Hard 2 into the most expensive film Holly-
U.S. box offices last year. Worldwide the-
megastars whose presence is expected to
wood will release this summer, the episode
atrical, TV and video revenues boosted
guarantee a hit. The top guns include Tom
was merely part of a runaway spending
that take to more than $10 billion. In hopes
Cruise, who reportedly will earn some $9
spree that has made movies more costly-
of luring even larger audiences, studios are
million for playing a race-car driver and co-
and risky-than ever. With an eye toward
spending $30 million or more apiece on as
producing Paramount's Days of Thunder.
lucrative video and foreign revenues, stu-
many as a dozen films set for release be-
For reprising his role as Nick Nolte's
64
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
E
easy
acet 0 Caplets Caplets - 500 phen CAPLETS 500 no mg each mg
TYLENOL CAPLETS
INEM CAPLES
TYLENOL to swallow
OU me
TYLENOL
500
TYLENOL
oor
Capits
TYLENOL
TYLENOL
ΓOM
TOTAL TOTAL THE YORK
MA
THE
IBUPROFEN IPRC
Hospitals use TYLENOL18 ACETAMINOPHEN times more
than all ibuprofen brands combined.
No one knows more about taking care of pain than hospitals. So, with
all the pain relievers available today, what are hospitals using more than
ever for everyday pain? TYLENOL. In fact, in a year, hospitals use TYLENOL
285 million more times than all other brands combined. If hospitals use
TYLENOL most, shouldn't it be your first choice for-pain?
TYLENOL.The pain reliever hospitals use most.
Comparison relative to non-prescription pain relievers only. Use only as directed. © McNeil, 1989.
© 1990 Freixenet S.A., San Sadurni de Noya, Spain. Freixenet USA,
Inc. Sonoma, CA. Freixenet is a registered trademark.
121
PREFER
AR
FREIXENEI FREIX
about
TREIX WE
SIXENET BRUT FREIN
BROT
parkling
Wine
by
PARTY LINE
Fermented The
Produce
Freixene Methode
eixenet
CORDON NEGRO
de
Champenoise
Sant
NEGRO
ON NE
CORDON NEGRO BRUT BY FREIXENET
FERMENTED IN THE BOTTLE. METHODE CHAMPENOISE AGED 2 YEARS IN THE CAVE.
SAKHAROV
patible with the image he wished to convey of a Soviet Union
committed to glasnost and perestroika.
SERGEI GUNEYEV-NOVOSTI GUNEYEV
In February 1986 I wrote a letter to Gorbachev quoting
his own words in an interview with the French Communist
newspaper L'Humanité: "About political prisoners, we
don't have any. Likewise, our citizens are not prosecuted
for their beliefs. We don't try people for their opinions." In
my letter, I argued that prosecutions under various articles
of the criminal code are in fact prosecutions for beliefs, in-
cluding religious beliefs. I also mentioned persons con-
fined in psychiatric hospitals for political reasons, and oth-
ers imprisoned on trumped-up criminal charges. I gave
brief accounts of 14 I knew personally-Anatoly Mar-
chenko, the writer, headed the list-and called for the un-
conditional release of all prisoners of conscience.
In early October 1986 I was summoned to the regional
Procurator's Office to see U.S.S.R. Deputy Procurator
General Vladimir Andreyev "in connection with your
statement." But Andreyev evaded the real issues. He told
me that all the prisoners on my list had been properly sen-
tenced. I told him that I was disappointed in our meeting.
I wrote another letter to the General Secretary and
mailed it on Oct. 23. I wrote that I'd been banished illegal-
ly, without a court decision. I'd never broken the law or dis-
IS HE REALLY FREE OF THE SYSTEM?
closed state secrets. My wife and I were being held in un-
precedented isolation. Her sentence and the slanders
"Hello, I'm listening."
printed about her in the press were actually attempts to
"I received your letter. We've reviewed it and discussed
shift responsibility for my actions onto her. I mentioned
it. You can return to Moscow. The Decree of the Presidi-
our health problems, and I felt it necessary to say that I
um of the Supreme Soviet will be rescinded. A decision has
would "make no more public statements, apart from ex-
also been made about Elena Bonnaire."
ceptional cases when, in the words of Tolstoy, 'I cannot re-
I broke in: "That's my wife!" It was an emotional reac-
main silent.' I concluded, "I hope that you will find it pos-
tion, not SO much to his mispronunciation of her name as to
sible to end my isolation and my wife's exile." Once I'd sent
his tone.
off the letter, I forgot about it for the next seven weeks.
Gorbachev continued: "You can return to Moscow to-
Lusia was twirling the radio dial on Dec. 9. The jam-
gether. You have an apartment there. Go back to your pa-
ming was intense, but through the crackle we both made
triotic work!"
out the name Marchenko. For a few moments we thought
I said, "Thank you. But I must tell you that a few days ago,
he had been released. Since Aug. 4 he had been on a hun-
my friend Marchenko was killed in prison. He was the first per-
ger strike at Chistopol Prison, demanding better condi-
son I mentioned in my letter to you, requesting the release of
tions for political prisoners and an end to repression. He
prisoners of conscience-people prosecuted for their beliefs."
hadn't been allowed visitors for 32 months and had spent
Gorbachev: "Yes, I received your letter early this year.
long periods in punishment cells.
We've released many, and improved the situation of oth-
We soon realized that the broadcast was not a report of
ers. But there are all sorts of people on your list."
Marchenko's release. The evening before, he'd asked for a
I said, "Everyone sentenced under those articles has
doctor. By the time he was brought to the hospital his con-
been sentenced illegally, unjustly. They ought to be freed!"
dition was hopeless. A cerebral hemorrhage was listed as
Gorbachev: "I don't agree with you."
the immediate cause of death. Marchenko was 48. His
I said, "I implore you to look one more time at the
death ended an era for the human rights movement, which
question of releasing people convicted for their beliefs. It's
he had helped to shape.
a matter of justice. It's vitally important for our country, for
Dec. 15, 1986, was the 25th anniversary of my father's
international trust, for peace and for you and the success of
death. Shortly after 10 p.m. the doorbell rang. A search?
your program."
Two electricians and a KGB agent entered the apartment.
Gorbachev made a noncommittal reply. I said, "Thank
They had orders to install a phone. The KGB man said,
you again. Goodbye." (Contrary to the demands of proto-
"You'll get a call around 10 tomorrow morning."
col, I brought the conversation to a close, not Gorbachev. I
On Dec. 16 we waited for the call until 3 p.m., when the
must have felt under stress and perhaps subconsciously
phone rang and I answered. A woman's voice: "Mikhail
feared that I might say too much.) Gorbachev had little
Sergeyevich will speak with you."
choice, SO he said, "Goodbye."
"I'm listening." I told Lusia, "It's Gorbachev." She
On the morning of Dec. 23 we stepped off the train at
opened the door to the hallway, where the usual chatter
Moscow's Yaroslavl Station onto a platform teeming with
was going on around the policeman on duty, and shouted,
reporters. It took me 40 minutes to make my way through
"Quiet! Gorbachev's on the phone." There was an imme-
the crowd. Hundreds of flashbulbs blinded me and micro-
diate silence.
phones were continually thrust into my face as I tried to re-
"Hello, this is Gorbachev speaking."
spond to the barrage of questions. The whole scene offered
62
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
ONE
NOW
GREAT RATE
ON THESE
GREAT
1990
GM CARS
AND
TRUCKS
7.9%
CHEVROLET
Beretta
Corsica
Camarot
1991 Caprice (offer
ends 6/11/90)
Percentage
Cavalier
Celebrity
Geo Metro
(excludes convertibles)
Geo Prizm
Geo Storm
Lumina
Lumina APV
Geo Tracker
S-10 Pickup
2- & 4-Wheel Drive
S-10 Blazer**
PUTS YOU AND
2-& 4-Wheel Drive
Full-Size Blazer
4-Wheel Drive
Suburban
2-& 4-Wheel Drive
Full-Size R/V Pickupstt
2-& 4-Wheel Drive
Full-Size C/K Pickups***
2- & 4-Wheel Drive
Sportvan/Chevy Van
Astro Van$
GM QUALITY
PONTIAC
6000
ON THE ROAD
Bonneville
Firebird+
Grand Am
Grand Prix
LeMans
Sunbird
Trans Sport
7.9%
7.9%
7.9%
Oldsmobile
A.P.R.
A.P.R.
A.P.R.
Cutlass Ciera
Toronado
24 MONTHS
36 MONTHS
48 MONTHS
AMOUNT
MONTHLY
AMOUNT
MONTHLY
AMOUNT
MONTHLY
FINANCED*
PAYMENT
FINANCED*
NNN
PAYMENT
FINANCED*
PAYMENT
$10,000
$452
$10,000
$313
$10,000
$244
BUICK
$12,000
$542
$12,000
$375
$12,000
$292
Century
Electra
$15,000
$678
$15,000
$469
$15,000
$365
Park Avenue
LeSabre
*Amount financed assumes a 20% down payment.
Reatta
Regalt
Riviera
Now you can drive GM quality at a great GMAC rate - 7.9% - on payment terms
Skylark
up to 48 months. It's available on select new 1990 GM cars and trucks. Choose
the term that fits your budget and get on the road with a great GM value.
GMC
TRUCK
Qualified retail buyers must take delivery from dealer stock. Dealer financial
participation may affect consumer cost. Expiration dates vary. See your participating
S-15 Pickup
2- & 4-Wheel Drive
GM Dealer for details.
S-15 Jimmy**
2- & 4-Wheel Drive
Full-Size Jimmy
4-Wheel Drive
Suburban
2- & 4-Wheel Drive
GMAC
Full-Size R/V Pickupstt
2-& 4-Wheel Drive
Full-Size C/K Pickups***
2- & 4-Wheel Drive
Vandura/Rally Wagon
Safari Van$
Quality financial services for quality GM products
+Includes 1991.
**Includes 1991 2-door
models.
++6.9% A.P.R., limited term.
CHEVROLET
PONTIAC
OLDSMOBILE
BUICK
GMC TRUCK
"Excludes 454 SS models.
Excludes cutaway
models.
©1990 GMAC. All Rights Reserved.
Excludes all-wheel-drive
models.
SAKHAROV
had made invaluable contributions to the Motherland and
ger strike. But two weeks later, I resumed it, and on July 271
world science. The KGB was concentrating its energies on
was taken back to Semashko by force. My normal weight is
her, and she was by now seriously ill.
around 175 lbs., but it dropped to 138 by Aug. 13. That day,
Lusia was detained at the Gorky airport on May 2, 1984,
they began subcutaneous (into both thighs) and intravenous
which ended for 17 months her visits to Moscow, our princi-
drips to supplement the forced feedings. Each subcutaneous
pal means of contact with the outside world. She was put on
feeding took several hours, my legs would swell painfully,
trial, convicted in August of "slandering the Soviet system"
and I would be unable to walk for a day or two.
and sentenced to five years' internal exile, in Gorky.
In April 1985, against Lusia's wishes, I conducted a hun-
ger strike demanding that she be allowed to go abroad to vis-
"You Can Return to Moscow"
it her mother, children and grandchildren and to receive
medical treatment. I was forcibly confined in Gorky's Se-
In March 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the
mashko Hospital from April 25 and subjected to painful
Soviet Union. Though he at first defended the treatment of Sa-
forced feeding until July 11, when I decided to end that hun-
kharov, he soon decided that keeping him in exile was incom-
"Mankind Cannot Do Without Nuclear Power"
After the Chernobyl nuclear-re-
possibility of another Chernobyl.
charges deep underground in seis-
actor catastrophe of April 26, 1986,
The best way is international legis-
mologically active areas and deto-
the reports in the Soviet press led
lation requiring that all new nuclear
nating them to relieve the buildup of
me to adopt far too sanguine an ap-
reactors be sited deep enough un-
tension when strains in the earth's
proach. One clue that should have
derground so that even a worst-case
core approach the critical level. If
alerted me to a possible cover-up
accident would not discharge radio-
this proves feasible, we could control
was a mid-May report that several
active substances into the atmo-
at least the timing of earthquakes;
fire fighters had perished; if radia-
sphere. Existing aboveground reac-
people and property could be evacu-
tion levels in the vicinity of the
ated in orderly fashion. To preclude
Chernobyl plant did not exceed 10
the escape of any radiation, the ex-
to 15 milliroentgens an hour, what
plosion would probably have to be
could have caused their deaths?
two or more miles beneath the
In fact, the radiation levels pub-
earth's surface.
lished in the Soviet press were 1%
On Feb. 15, 1987, addressing the
or less of the true figures. But there
Moscow Forum for a Non-Nuclear
were other, subjective reasons for
World for the Survival of Mankind,
my complacency: my preconcep-
I had this to say on the peaceful use
tions, my mental inertia and sheer
of atomic energy:
wishful thinking.
"Nuclear weapons divide and
When Lusia returned from a vis-
threaten mankind. But there are
it to the West, her information on
peaceful uses of nuclear energy that
Chernobyl shook me. Czechoslova-
should promote the unity of man-
kia, Sweden, Poland and Hungary
kind. Chernobyl was an example of
had demanded an explanation from
the tragic interaction of equipment
Soviet authorities for the high levels
failure and human error. Neverthe-
of radiation throughout Europe.
less, the aversion people rightly feel
Poles were given iodine tablets to
for military applications must not
speed the elimination of radioactive
spill over to the peaceful use of nu-
iodine from their systems-which
clear energy. Mankind cannot do
raised the question of what was be-
without nuclear power. We must
ing done in the U.S.S.R., where the
CHERNOBYL AFTER THE TRAGEDY
find a solution to the safety problem
level of radioactivity was much
that will rule out another Chernobyl
greater. In the Ukraine and Belo-
tors should be protected by reliable
resulting from human error, failure
russia, pregnant women were ad-
containment structures. The first
to follow instructions, design de-
vised to have abortions. My initial
priority should be to safeguard
fects or technical malfunction."
optimism was completely dispelled.
atomic plants that supply power and
I concluded, "People concerned
It was important to decide in my
heat to large cities, reactors with
about the potential harmful conse-
own mind what should be done
graphite moderators like the one
quences of the peaceful use of nu-
about nuclear power.
that malfunctioned at Chernobyl,
clear energy should concentrate
Plainly, mankind cannot re-
and fast-neutron breeder reactors.
their efforts not on attempts to ban
nounce nuclear power, so we must
I also became interested in the
nuclear power, but instead on de-
find technical means to guarantee
possibility of reducing earthquake
mands to assure its complete
its absolute safety and exclude the
damage by burying thermonuclear
safety."
60
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
SAKHAROV
ment. "We have to hospitalize you. We've received a great
many letters from citizens, from your children."
We realized that resistance was useless and, in any case,
we no longer had the strength. The KGB agents went out-
side. We kissed. Tears came to my eyes. Lusia said bitterly,
"And on Tanya's anniversary
Out on the street, they began pushing us into two sepa-
rate ambulances. I was taken to Semashko Hospital, the
medical center for the Gorky region, while Lusia was taken
to Hospital No. 10, a run-down facility on the Oka's left
bank. But until I actually saw Lusia again, I was under the
illusion we were in the same hospital. I was put in a semi-
private room. My roommate introduced himself as secre-
tary of a district party committee. A third bed and patient
had been placed in the entry leading into our room. These
men were both genuinely ill.
A few minutes after I got to the room, the attending
physician, Dr. Rulev, appeared, and I allowed him to take
my pulse and blood pressure. I refused to submit to any
other procedures and asked to be reunited with Lusia. Sep-
aration was difficult to bear. The KGB was apparently
counting on that to break us. They were also hoping that
the news that the Sakharovs were in the hospital receiving
RETURNING TO MOSCOW AFTER ALMOST SEVEN YEARS OF EXILE
medical care would pacify our friends around the world.
I spent part of the first night reading Nabokov's Speak,
break her will, Lusia was driven to Semashko Hospital. In
Memory. In the morning I wrote a statement to the doctor
the chief physician's office, after four days of painful sepa-
in charge declaring that my wife and I had been separated
ration, we embraced. We insisted that Ryabinin speak in
by force, and that I would refuse all medical procedures
our presence with Academy President Anatoli Alexandrov,
until we were reunited, and would not end my hunger
as an earnest of the KGB'S promise; only then would we end
strike until I was certain that Liza would be granted per-
our hunger strike. After 17 days, the strike was over, and
mission to emigrate.
Liza was free to join Alexei in the U.S.
The nurses would bring meals for me even though I
asked them not to. I would leave the untouched trays in the
hall. The other patients were kind enough to eat in the en-
Mentally Unstable?
try, keeping the door to the room closed.
A well-known consultant, Dr. Vagralik, would visit me
In April 1983 in Gorky, Lusia had what was apparently
two or three times a day, accompanied by Rulev and some-
her second heart attack. The weeks that followed brought
times by a doctor who was introduced as a neurologist but
two additional cardiac events. She was offered a bed in the
was, I suspect, a psychiatrist. Vagralik warned me that I
Academy of Sciences hospital, but refused to be admitted
was not a young man, that I could slip into a terminal state
without me.
at any moment, and that he had already noticed irrevers-
The academy soon dispatched a team of specialists to
ible changes whose progress would accelerate. The neu-
examine me. The head of the team said hospitalization was
rologist (or psychiatrist) suggested that I was becoming
advisable in my case, as I had received no treatment for a
confused and losing my faculties. As he put it, I already had
chronic prostate condition since arriving in Gorky, was
one foot in the grave, and I ought to let the doctors obey
plagued by angina and borderline hypertension and appar-
the Hippocratic oath and help me.
ently had suffered several heart attacks-microinfarcts in
To all these statements and to Rulev's attempts to take
1970 and 1975 and three attacks in Gorky-as well as a
my blood pressure, I responded with a single, set phrase: "I
bout of thrombophlebitis. My condition was not nearly so
refuse to be examined until I'm reunited with my wife." On
critical as Lusia's, but there was still ample reason for me to
the morning of Dec. 8, Rulev said, "You have only a few
be admitted. But I was only kidding myself that my hospi-
hours to think it over. You must end your hunger strike."
talization was being given serious consideration.
A few hours after Rulev's visit, a man entered my room.
During the summer of 1983 Yuri Andropov, then the
He was from the KGB. "We've met before," he said. It was
Soviet leader, told a group of visiting American Senators
in 1980, after Lusia surprised the KGB searching our apart-
who had asked about my situation that I was mentally un-
ment. "My name is Ryabinin. I'm authorized to inform you
stable. Did these remarks indicate a new KGB strategy for
that your request can now be reconsidered in a positive
dealing with "the Sakharov problem"? The authorities
light, but you must first end your hunger strike." I said that
clearly were reluctant or unable to banish me from the
I took the KGB'S promises seriously, but that my wife and I
country, and hesitated to imprison either of us. There is ev-
could decide to end the hunger strike only when we were
idence that the KGB intended to portray my public activi-
together. He said, "You'll be seeing me again."
ties as a delusion produced by the influence of Lusia, who
That same morning, apparatus for forced feeding was
would be presented as a corrupt, self-serving, loose-living,
brought into Lusia's room. She warned the doctors that she
egotistical, depraved and immoral Jew prostitute, an agent
would resist forced feeding with all her strength, even if she
of international Zionism. I would be transformed back into
died in the struggle. A few hours after this last attempt to
a distinguished Soviet (Russian, of course) scientist who
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
59
SAKHAROV
alized it was the landlady. Whenever I went out, I took irre-
Our two-year campaign had made Liza's case widely
placeable notes, documents and books with me.
known, so we could count on sympathy and support. Most
The KGB never gave up its pursuit of my bag of docu-
people would understand that a hunger strike was not a bi-
ments. In March 1981, I visited a dental clinic where I was
zarre extravagance but our one remaining option.
having some work done. The dental technician insisted
At first, Lusia and I exchanged written notes about our
that because this was a surgical office, I'd have to leave my
plans, so that the KGB couldn't eavesdrop on us. Once we
bag outside. When I went to reclaim the bag, it was gone.
had made our decision, there was no reason to conceal it.
The KGB had struck a powerful blow: I lost notes on scien-
On the contrary, by declaring our intentions, we gave the
tific matters and current events, personal documents and
KGB an opportunity to let Liza go quietly and save face. So,
letters, my diary for the past 14 months and three thick
in October, we sent out appeals for support.
notebooks containing the manuscript of these memoirs.
Lusia traveled to Moscow with letters announcing our
I began to reconstruct the book from memory. Once or
hunger strike, also notebooks containing the work I had
twice a month, Lusia would take what I'd written to Mos-
done on these memoirs. I didn't want the KGB to get any of
cow and send it on to Efrem and Tanya in the U.S. How she
this. A week later, she returned with 100 bottles of Bor-
accomplished this is a story that cannot yet be told. By
zhomi mineral water, which helps maintain the body's elec-
April 1982, I had finished another rough draft. But on Oct.
trolyte balance while fasting. On Oct. 21 I sent telegrams to
11, 1982, the entire manuscript-500 typewritten pages
Brezhnev and the head of the Academy of Sciences, an-
Lusia had brought back from Moscow and 900 handwritten
nouncing that our hunger strike would begin on Nov. 22.
pages I had recently completed-was again stolen, this
Many dissidents held Liza responsible for not prevent-
time by what can only be called gangster methods.
ing the hunger strike. It should have been obvious to them
We had driven into town, and Lusia went off on an er-
that Liza had no way of influencing our decision. The refus-
rand while I waited in the car, the bag on the floor behind
al to let her rejoin Alexei may have been the immediate
the front seat. A man walked over and asked through my
cause of the strike. But in a broader sense, it was the conse-
half-open window, "Are you headed for Moscow?" I told
quence of all that had happened to us, including exile in
him no. My memory of what happened next is blank. I re-
Gorky and a continuation of my struggle for human rights
call someone pulling the bag through a window. I tried to
and the freedom to choose one's country of residence.
get out of the car but couldn't find the door handle, some-
There had been virtually no objection when I declared a
thing that usually comes automatically. I finally extricated
hunger strike in 1974 on behalf of the dissident Vladimir
myself and saw three women standing nearby, one holding
Bukovsky and other political prisoners. This time I was
what looked like a doctor's kit. "They jumped over the rail-
honoring a more compelling and personal obligation.
ing," one woman told me. "Did you know they smashed
your window?" The left rear window had been smashed,
The strike began on Nov. 22. After nearly two weeks, Sa-
but I hadn't heard a thing. I believe I'd been momentarily
kharov and his wife were steadily growing weaker.
stunned by some narcotic. I have no direct evidence, but
there was a strange odor, like that of rotting fruit.
Dec. 4 was Tanya and Efrem's anniversary, and we
"We called the police," one said. "They're coming."
looked forward to clinking glasses with Mark Kovner when he
One of the women must have been a doctor, the other two
stopped by later in the day: mineral water in our glasses, vodka
were probably nurses assigned to treat me if I suffered any
in his. While we were taking our 1 'clock walk on the terrace,
ill effects from the narcotic. They'd lied about calling the
we caught sight of a man inside our apartment-a KGB agent
police. They didn't want me to go straight to the precinct
whose face was familiar. We hurried in from the terrace and
station; maybe they were afraid I'd pass out along the way.
saw that eight people had invaded the living room and entry
They walked off before I could ask them to serve as
hall. At least some, if not all, were from the KGB. Most were
witnesses.
wearing white coats. Lusia said, "They've come to kill us."
Beginning in March 1980, a policeman was stationed in
The door chain had been ripped off-not for the first
front of our apartment door around the clock. Anyone who
time-and the key was lying on a table. One of the intrud-
came to see me was given a hard time, and those from other
ers announced he was from the Municipal Health Depart-
cities were usually forced to leave
Gorky. Some found themselves in se-
rious trouble: at least three persons
The Wallenberg Mystery
who attempted to visit spent several
months in psychiatric confinement.
One of the items in the bag stolen
file is never completely eradicated.
from the dental clinic in Gorky was a
At the Installation I learned how
letter about Raoul Wallenberg, the
all this works from a KGB officer who'd
A Visa for Liza
Swedish diplomat who rescued thou-
had the job of sorting files. In every
sands of Hungarian Jews during
case, the first page of a file was re-
In 1981 the Sakharovs began their
World War II, then vanished when
tained. If a person had been executed,
first hunger strike while in Gorky (earlier
the Soviets occupied Budapest. Sovi-
an affidavit that the death sentence
they had conducted others in support of
et authorities have maintained that
had been carried out had to be includ-
various dissidents). The issue was the
Wallenberg died in prison in 1947
ed, along with the serial number of the
KGB'S refusal to permit Liza to join her
and the file of his case was destroyed.
pistol used.
fiancé, Elena Bonner's son Alexei, in the
The latter assertion most assuredly is
Complete files of cases involving
U.S. Some Soviet dissidents strongly criti-
untrue: NKVD and KGB investigation
foreigners almost certainly were pre-
cized the strike, fearing Sakharov might
files are stamped TO BE PRESERVED
served. Diplomats should continue to
die over a relatively "trivial" family issue.
FOREVER; pages may be removed
press Soviet authorities to clear up the
on instructions from the top, but a
Wallenberg mystery.
58
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
SAKHAROV
except for public attacks on me.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lusia, who was still permitted to
travel, left Gorky for Moscow on Jan.
27. The next day, at a press confer-
ence held in our Chkalov Street
apartment, she read a statement I
had written describing the circum-
stances of my exile and my thoughts
on current issues. She also visited the
Procurator's Office to determine the
official grounds for my exile and to
resolve the visa problem of her son's
fiancée Liza (Alexei had immigrated
to the U.S. in May 1978, but Liza had
not received permission to join him).
Several Gorky residents visited
me while Lusia was absent. Felix Kra-
savin, an old friend of the Bonner
family, paid a call. So did the refuse-
nik physicist Mark Kovner, whom I'd
met at a seminar in Moscow. I made
new acquaintances, among them Ser-
BARRED FROM THE COURTROOM DURING YURI ORLOV'S 1978 TRIAL
gei Ponomarev, who had served five
years in a labor camp for "anti-Soviet activity."
"Because the U.S.S.R. is conducting military opera-
Each visitor, upon leaving the building, was taken by
tions in Afghanistan."
the police to a nearby site designated "post for the mainte-
Suddenly, one pulled a pistol from his pocket; he began
nance of public order." They would be held for hours while
playing with it and waving it around. I asked whether it was
their papers were checked, and attempts would be made to
a real pistol or just a cigarette lighter. One of them replied,
intimidate them. Many suffered unpleasant repercussions.
"A cigarette lighter that drills holes in people."
After a few weeks the authorities allowed only people sent
The second man kept assuring me that his friend really
or approved by the KGB to pass through their blockade. A
was a first-class marksman. Then the man with the gun
few months later, the flow of visitors stopped altogether.
started to shout, "I'll show you what Afghanistan's really
On Jan. 28 I was ordered to report to MVD headquar-
like! I'll turn this apartment into an Afghanistan!"
ters. There, two KGB men introduced themselves as Major
While this was going on, Lusia's friend Natasha Gesse,
Chuprov and Captain Shuvalov. They complained that I
who was looking after me while Lusia was gone, caught
had violated the terms of my regimen by phoning Moscow
sight of the pistol and told the landlady, "Pretend you're
and writing a postscript to a Helsinki Group document.
taking out the garbage and go tell the policeman that
"They're mistaken," I said.
drunks are in the apartment and that they've got a pistol."
"Will you put that in writing?"
The landlady was gone a good while, but when she re-
"Of course." I took a sheet of paper and wrote that I
turned, she pretended she'd misunderstood Natasha. She
had not called Moscow (my attempts to telephone had all
had to be sent a second time. At last, several policemen ap-
been illegally cut off). I had added my signature to the doc-
peared and led the "drunks" away.
ument about Afghanistan but had not made any changes in
it, since I was not a member of the Helsinki Group.
I asked Chuprov to write down several requests and
A Theft in Gorky
pass them on. I asked that Liza be granted a visa to join
Alexei, that young scientists from FIAN be permitted to vis-
The KGB never let things settle into a stable pattern;
it me, that I have access to my regular doctors from the
from time to time, they would commit a new outrage.
academy clinic, that the telephone be reconnected in the
Whenever I left the building, my KGB tails would shad-
Moscow apartment of Lusia's mother Ruth (essential be-
OW me. I came to know many by sight. When I walked in the
cause of her age, 79, and her health) and that phone service
woods, I more than once flushed an observer hiding behind
be installed in the Gorky apartment-members of the
a tree, who would then dash away. We were prevented
academy are entitled to a private telephone.
from making long-distance calls; whenever we went to a
Chuprov suggested that I order the telephone myself. I
post office to do so, the phones were "out of order"-KGB
said that no one would speak with me at the telephone of-
shadows had been there ahead of us. Once I managed to
fice since I was officially still a resident of Moscow.
make a call by carrying out a trash can, dropping it off and
"You can register as a resident of Gorky."
continuing to a post office. From that day on, a policeman
"Under no circumstances will I do that: I was sent here
accompanied us when we took out the garbage.
illegally."
The KGB did more than supervise my quarantine. From
That same evening, I answered the doorbell. Two
the first days, we detected signs that strangers were enter-
men-drunk or pretending to be drunk-entered, declar-
ing our apartment. We would find our tape recorders, radi-
ing that they wanted to "get a look at this Sakharov guy."
os and typewriter damaged and had to repair them many
"I'm Sakharov."
times. At first, we assumed that some of the policemen
"Why do you want the Olympics boycotted?"
were letting the KGB agents into our apartment; then we re-
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
57
The Dodge Shadow and Spirit ES
took on the Honda Civic DX
and Accord EX.
The results?
ADVANTAGE: DODGE
In a side-by-side comparison, 100 car owners rated the cars in 33 different categories. From legroom and
driving ease, from interior and exterior styling to pick-up and passing ability. When it was all over
76 out of 100 car owners preferred Dodge Shadow and Spirit ES overall to Honda Civic DX and Accord EX.+
SHADOW
Shadow ES sedan shown
(without turbo) $11,038+
payments will be higher.
Base
20% Down
Total
Dodge Shadow was preferred overall to a comparably equipped Honda
2-door Price
Payment
Financed
4.9% APR for 60 Mos.
$132
Mo.
1.9% APR for 36 Mos.
$201
Mo.
Civic DX by 37 out of 50 people surveyed And that's even before
$8,785⁺
$1,757
$7,028
2.9% APR for 48 Mos.
$155
Mo.
0.0% APR for 24 Mos.
$293
they knew they could get $1000 CASH BACK OR 0.0% APR* or
Mo.
about package savings they could get of up to $790**
SPIRIT
Spirit ES shown
$13,205+-
payments will be higher.
Base
20% Down
Total
Price
$158
Dodge Spirit ES (with the available V-6) was preferred overall to a
Payment
Financed
4.9% APR for 60 Mos.
Mo.
1.9% APR for 36 Mos.
$240
Mo.
comparably equipped Honda Accord EX by 39 of 50 people surveyed!+
$10,495
$2,099
$8,396
2.9% APR for 48 Mos.
$185
Mo.
$350
And they didn't even know they could get $1000 CASH BACK OR
0.0% APR for 24 Mos.
Mo.
0.0% APR* or about package savings they could get of up to $847**
Test drive the cars that beat the Hondas,
but hurry. 0% APR financing and $1000 rebates end soon!*
*Until May 31, get guaranteed cash back or 0% APR financing, or longer term rates, (for qualified buyers through Chrysler Credit)
on selected '90 models in stock. See dealer for guaranteed cash back details & guarantee claim form. TSticker prices exclude tax
& destination charges. Actual dealer prices may vary. **Package savings on select models depend on model & package and are
based on sticker prices of items if sold separately. TTU.S. Testing Company Market Research, Inc. (not affiliated with U.S.
government) survey of two panels, each consisting of 50 GM and Ford owners who said they would consider purchasing a
Dodge
Japanese car, rating comparably equipped vehicles in 33 categories and then overall. Sticker prices of compared models, excluding
tax & destination charge: $16,432 Spirit ES, $10,861 Shadow.
Advantage: Dodge.
SAKHAROV
en and bathroom. The landlady told Lusia she was the wid-
foresight to pack our transistor radio, and on the evening
OW of a KGB officer. (It took us six months to discover what
news my exile was the lead story, along with Afghanistan.
her real duties were: to make sure that the window in her
For the next two weeks foreign broadcasts featured pro-
room was left unbolted to allow KGB agents access to the
tests by writers, public personalities and-of particular
apartment from the street, bypassing the police manning a
weight-scientists, including the U.S. scientists Sidney
watch post.) As I appeared, she retired to her room.
Drell and Jeremy Stone. The intervention of U.S. National
At last Lusia and I were alone together.* She'd had the
Academy of Sciences President Philip Handler and other
*Alone Together is the title of Elena Bonner's 1986 account of her life in exile
prominent scientists might have forestalled further steps
with Sakharov.
against me. My Soviet colleagues, regrettably, kept silent-
Who Murdered Lake Baikal?
The planet's oldest, deepest and
try switched from rayon cord to me-
ported by steel piles. But the build-
largest lake, Baikal is about the size of
tallic cord. Whatever rationale the
ings are still vulnerable to the major
Belgium and accounts for a fifth of
Baikal complex may once have
earthquakes that have occurred
the world's freshwater reserves. The
had-and it never offset the poten-
there once or twice a century.
threat to this unique ecosystem, home
tial harm to the lake-vanished.
The big problem now was treat-
to more than 1,000 species of plants
Construction nevertheless went
ment of toxic waste. The pollution
and animals unknown anywhere else,
ahead, with whole armies of offi-
caused by floating logs down the riv-
stimulated a vociferous Soviet envi-
cials defending their decision and
ers that empty into the lake kills the
ronmental movement. Baikal, says
saving face by insisting on the com-
spawn of most fish, including the
Siberian activist Valentin Rasputin,
plex's importance for the defense of
Baikal omul, which a century ago ri-
contains "such pulchritude as to be
the country, the usual clinching
valed beef as a source of food for all
unimaginable this side of paradise."
argument.
Russia. The accidental discharge of
effluents, deforestation and
It is a precious resource,
fire also threatened the frag-
an area of surpassing natural
ile ecological balance of the
beauty, a source of national
region. We proposed that the
pride and, to some extent,
lakeshores be closed to new
the very symbol of our na-
industry and existing enter-
tion. For several years, news-
prises be moved.
papers had been publishing
At a meeting of the Coun-
alarming reports on threats
cil of Ministers, Prime Minis-
to Baikal from industrial
ter Alexei Kosygin, who was
construction along its shores,
handling the Baikal project,
the felling and rafting of tim-
asked Mstislav Keldysh, pres-
ber and pulp mills' discharge
ident of the Academy of Sci-
of chemical wastes.
ences, "What does the acade-
Early in 1967 a student at
A PRECIOUS RESOURCE: SYMBOL OF THE NATION
my recommend? If the
the Moscow Institute of En-
safeguards aren't reliable,
ergy invited me to attend meetings
The story goes that Orlov had
we'll stop construction." Keldysh
of the Komsomol [Communist Par-
chosen the site by simply pointing to
quoted a report that the water-puri-
ty youth wing] Committee to Save
a place on the shoreline while cruis-
fication system and other safe-
Baikal. I learned that in the late
ing in a motorboat with cronies.
guards were completely reliable. He
1950s, Orlov, the minister in charge
Building was already under way
may have been acting in good faith.
of the paper industry, had ordered
when someone discovered that this
Still, my feeling is that his stand was
construction of a large cellulose
was the precise spot where the fam-
greatly influenced by the academy's
complex on the lake's shores to pro-
ous Verninsky earthquake had
dependence on the bureaucratic
duce a particularly durable viscose
caused the lake to swallow up 35
machine, and that he was predis-
rayon cord for airplane tires. It was
acres of shoreline in the 19th centu-
posed to respect the wishes of this
assumed that the pure Baikal water
ry; it was a seismically active region.
machine and to ignore the warnings
would facilitate polymerization [a
But instead of canceling the project,
of whistle blowers.
chemical process in which many
the authorities transferred respon-
Only a couple of years after
small molecules combine to build
sibility to the Ministry of Medium
these events, a Komsomol expedi-
much larger molecules called poly-
Machine Building. One scientist
tion brought back photographs
mers] and the resulting fibers would
taunted me: "Do you know who's in
showing the massive destruction of
be stronger.
charge of the murder of Baikal?
Baikal's fish and plankton caused by
The plant's output showed that
Your own Slavsky!" New plans were
toxic wastes. No accidental dis-
this hypothesis was unfounded.
drawn up for earthquake-resistant
charges had been logged. As always,
More important, the aviation indus-
aluminum-and-glass buildings sup-
everything was fine on paper.
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
55
Presenting Some Of The 2000 Body Parts
You Can Clean With New Lever 2000.®
The Deodorant Soap That's Better For Your Skin.
Lever 2000 has special skin-care
You can use Lever 2000
ingredients.
everywhere. On hard parts. Soft
It won't dry your skin like other
deodorant soaps can.
LEVER
parts. Tough parts. And pretty
parts. All your 2000 parts.
It's been clinically proven better
for your skin than any soap-not
IT'S 2000 DEODORANT
MIXS
just any deodorant soap.
LEVER
©
1990 Lever Brothers Company
the finest fighter in the world. It well represents
West Germany and Japan, General Dynamics is
our long tradition of craftsmanship and creativity.
teaming with four top American companies to
Once again, that tradition is about to be tested.
develop the National Aerospace Plane.
In a technology competition against groups from
To fly from runway to orbit, at speeds up
to 17,000 m.p.h., we must invent new science. We
must also invent new ways for American competitors
to work together. But we are confident.
Since the days of Gallaudet, our company
has been inventing not only better airplanes, but
better ways to make them.
The RB Racer, made by Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, was the first
GENERAL DYNAMICS
aircraft to have fully retractable landing gear. Dayton-Wright became an early
part of General Dynamics.
A Strong Company For A Strong Country
HE WASN'T
A WRIGHT BROTHER.
BUT HE HAD
THE RIGHT IDEA.
The Gallaudet Bullet of 1912 featured innovations
like advanced streamlining and an incredible
speed of 130 m.p.h.
His stuffy
faculty col-
leagues were offended: his tinkering with
"foolish flying gimcracks" was "undignified."
But young professor Edson Gallaudet was
willing to give up his dignity, and his job, for a new
idea about warping the wings of flying machines.
In 1898, he tested a scale model which proved
his idea right. And five years later, Wilbur and
Orville Wright flew using that same principle.
Today Gallaudet's model is in the Smithsonian,
one of two monuments to Gallaudet's inventiveness
and persistence. The other is our company.
In 1908, Edson Gallaudet started what many
credit as the first aircraft factory in America.
Gallaudet Engineering Company became the earliest
aircraft ancestor of General Dynamics.
Over the next 82 years, our
company with ours. As did Jerry Vultee, whose
history of building aircraft has
planes set many distance and speed records, includ-
included some of America's famous
ing Jimmy Doolittle's 12-hour cross-country flight.
planes. And famous people.
During WWII, the Consolidated B-24
Eddie Stinson, barnstormer
Liberator went from plan to finished plane in a
NAVY
and "birdman", who designed
record nine months and became the most-produced
aircraft for many of the
American bomber. After the war, our B-36
pioneer pilots, merged his
Peacemaker became the backbone of America's
Our Convair "Pogo Stick,' a delta-wing
Strategic Air Command.
prototype of 1953, was the first to rise or land
vertically. It flew in excess of 500 m.p.h.
Our innovative, delta-wing design made the
F-102 the world's first supersonic interceptor. And
the B-58 Hustler the world's first supersonic bomber.
Today our F-16 Fighting Falcon is rated
CERTAIN FLIGHTS OF FANTASY
ARE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY ON PIRELLI.
IRELLI
Original equipment tires on the world's finest.
For a 3'x 2' poster of this ad. write Pirelli Poster/ TM7. P.O. Box 56538. Hayward. CA 94545-6538. $12.95 includes postage and handling (California residents add sales tax).
SAKHAROV
I accompanied them to their car. I was surprised by the
number of KGB agents in the area and by something pecu-
liar in the air-a mixture of hostility and gloating.
I said, "Well, here they are."
"Yes, here we are!" a KGB agent echoed derisively. I
suppose they'd already learned of the decision to exile me.
But the Americans were allowed to drive off.
Our phone rang at 1 a.m. on Jan. 22. A friend, very ex-
cited, said he had heard that a decision had been made to
deprive me of my awards and exile me from Moscow. I re-
marked, "A month ago, I wouldn't have taken it seriously,
but now, with Afghanistan, anything's possible."
Jan. 22 was a Tuesday, the day the theoretical-physics
seminar met at FIAN [the physics institute where Sakharov
still worked]. I followed my customary routine, ordering a
car from the academy's motor pool and leaving home at
1:30. At the Krasnokholmsky Bridge, a traffic-patrol car
forced us to stop. From the front seat I saw two men get in
the rear, flashing red IDs marked MVD [for Interior Minis-
try]. They were actually KGB.
ALONE TOGETHER IN GORKY IN 1985
They ordered the driver to follow the patrol car to the
Procurator's Office on Pushkin Street. KGB agents escort-
"Police stopped our car; KGB agents got in and ordered
ed me to the fourth floor, where "chats" about my activities
us to drive here. I've been stripped of my awards, and I'm
had taken place in 1973 and 1977. I asked Alexander Re-
being banished to Gorky-it's off limits to foreigners."
kunkov, the deputy procurator-general, "Why didn't you
"Will you be coming back to the house?"
send a summons instead of shanghaiing me?"
"No, I'm supposed to leave straight from here, but it's
Rekunkov replied, "I gave orders to have you brought
my understanding that you can accompany me." I hung up
here due to the extraordinary circumstances and the great
and mumbled to myself, "So this is it
urgency involved. I have been instructed to read you a de-
Downstairs, I climbed into the backseat of a minibus
cree passed by the Presidium:
with curtained windows, flanked by KGB agents. We were
"In view of A.D. Sakharov's systematic actions, which
preceded by a police car with a flashing light and siren and
discredit him as a recipient of State awards, and in re-
followed by another car. Lusia arrived at Domodedovo
sponse to many suggestions made by the Soviet public, the
Airport more than two hours later. She told me that as
Presidium of the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet has decided to
soon as she hung up after my call, our phone went dead
deprive Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov of the title Hero of
(service wasn't restored until December 1986). Soon after-
Socialist Labor and all his State awards."
ward, police and KGB cordoned off our building and
Rekunkov continued, "It has been decided to banish
stopped correspondents and friends from entering.
A.D. Sakharov from Moscow to a place that will put an end
Five minutes after Lusia arrived, an officer announced
to his contacts with foreigners." The official looked up and
that our plane, a Tu-154, was ready. A dozen KGB agents
added, "The place that has been selected is Gorky, which is
accompanied us on our special flight. We were too relieved
off limits to foreigners. Please sign here to acknowledge
at being reunited to worry about where we were headed-
that you have been informed of the decree's contents."
we didn't care if it was to the ends of the earth. In Gorky we
He handed me a typewritten sheet of paper. I saw the
were loaded into another minibus. "Where are we going?"
typed-not signed-name of Leonid Brezhnev. The de-
Lusia asked our anonymous escorts.
cree was undated and made no mention of banishment.
"Home," answered one, grinning.
As I studied the paper, Rekunkov said, "The regula-
tions require that persons deprived of awards return
them." I refused, since the awards had been given in recog-
Visit from a Gunman
nition of services rendered.
I asked why the decree was undated and why Brezhnev
After a long journey, we were deposited at a twelve-sto-
had not personally signed it. Rekunkov said something
ry building off what we later learned was Gagarin Avenue
about "technicalities." I failed to ask who had made the de-
and taken to an apartment on the first floor. In a large
cision to banish me and on what authority. I considered the
room a man seated behind a desk said, "I'm Perelygin, dep-
entire proceeding completely illegal and thought it point-
uty procurator for the Gorky district. I've been instructed
less to argue fine points of jurisprudence with those who
to inform you of your regimen: you are forbidden to go be-
obviously had no respect for the law. By maintaining this
yond the city limits of Gorky. You'll be kept under surveil-
attitude all through my first weeks in Gorky, I may have
lance, and you are forbidden to meet with or contact for-
created the inadvertent impression that I accepted their
eigners or criminal elements. The MVD will let you know
right to proceed in this totally unlawful manner.
when you're required to check in at their headquarters. If
"You're to leave for Gorky at once," Rekunkov said.
you have any questions, call the KGB, either Major Yuri
"Your wife may accompany you."
Chuprov or Captain Nikolai Shuvalov." Perelygin left.
I phoned Lusia. "I'm calling from the Procurator's Of-
Lusia, meanwhile, had been talking with our "land-
fice. They picked me up on the street."
lady" and had taken a look around the apartment, which
"Whaaat?"
had four rooms (one reserved for the landlady), plus kitch-
54
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
SAKHAROV
On Sept. 5, Solzhenitsyn dispatched his article "Peace
and Violence" for publication abroad, warning the West
Shanghaied and Banished
about the nature and extent of state violence in the
U.S.S.R. Just before its publication, he added the proposal
Sakharov was able to continue his cat-and-mouse game
that I be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "indefatiga-
with the authorities through the 1970s at least partly because
ble, devoted (and personally dangerous) opposition to sys-
of his world stature as a human rights activist and because his
tematic state violence."
arrest would have strained Soviet-U.S. relations. But with the
On Oct. 9, 1975, Lusia and I-she in Italy after a hard-
invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, those relations deteriorated
fought battle to permit her to leave the country to treat her
catastrophically, and the state soon moved against Sakharov.
glaucoma; I in Moscow-heard the news that I had been
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The official reaction in the
As 1980 began, Afghanistan cast a long shadow. In-
U.S.S.R. was one of intense irritation tinged with nervous-
creased latitude was granted to the KGB because of the war
ness. I was denied permission to go to Norway for the No-
and possibly in anticipation of the forthcoming Olympics,
bel award ceremonies on the grounds that I was "an indi-
as evidenced in a series of arrests.
vidual possessing knowledge of state secrets." Lusia
On Jan. 17, Charles Bierbauer, an ABC television corre-
accepted the award for me in Oslo in December.
spondent, and his crew arrived for an interview. Afterward
destroying itself in the smoke and
If our people and our leaders ever
the openness of society. I have no
fumes of its cities and the din of hys-
succumb to such notions, the results
doubt whatsoever as to the value of
terical music.
could be tragic.
defending specific individuals. He
Certainly there is much bitter
Unlike Solzhenitsyn, I see faults
assigns only a secondary importance
truth in Solzhenitsyn's complaints. I
and sound principles in both the so-
to human rights and fears that con-
too have called attention to the
cialist and the Western systems. I
centration on them may divert atten-
West's lack of concerted action, its
believe that their convergence is
tion from more important matters.
dangerous illusions, the factional
possible, and I welcome that pros-
In The Oak and the Calf, Solzhe-
gamesmanship, shortsightedness,
pect as a chance to save humanity
nitsyn makes a great deal of my sup-
selfishness and cowardice displayed
from the confrontation that threat-
posed naiveté, my impracticality
by some of its politicians. Yet I be-
ens it with destruction.
and especially my susceptibility
lieve that Western society is
to "pernicious" influences.
fundamentally healthy and dy-
Among those who (in his view)
namic, capable of meeting the
have hitched themselves to
challenges life continually
"this strange, huge, conspicu-
brings.
ous balloon, which was soaring
The West's lack of unity is
to the heights without engine or
the price it pays for the plural-
petrol"-me-Solzhenitsyn's,
ism, freedom and respect for
sharpest, if covert, thrusts are
the individual that are the
aimed at my wife. Her "delete-
sources of strength and flexibil-
rious" influence, he suggests,
ity for any society. It makes no
led me to harp on emigration
sense to sacrifice them for a
by Jewish refuseniks-people
mechanical, barracks unity that
"who did not feel that Russia
may have a certain utility if
was their own country."
one's goal is aggressive expan-
It's a shame that Solzheni-
sion but has otherwise proved
BANISHED NOBEL LAUREATE IN THE U.S. IN 1975
tsyn understood so little about
to be a failure. Solzhenitsyn's
me, my thoughts on emigration,
mistrust of the West, of progress in
I do not share Solzhenitsyn's an-
human rights and other matters,
general, of science and democracy
tipathy toward progress. If mankind
and about the real Lusia and her
incline him to romanticize a patriar-
is the healthy organism I believe it
true role in my life. Late in 1974 a
chal way of life and craftsmanship,
to be, then progress, science and the
German correspondent brought me
to expect too much from the Rus-
constructive application of intelli-
a gift from Solzhenitsyn, a copy of
sian Orthodox Church.
gence will enable us to cope with the
The Oak and the Calf, with a warm
Solzhenitsyn suggests that there
dangers facing us. Having set out on
and complimentary inscription
are already clear signs of a national
the path of progress several millen-
from the author. I already knew
and religious renaissance, that Rus-
niums ago, mankind cannot halt
what was in it, and when I saw the
sians have always been hostile to the
now-nor should it.
inscription, I couldn't help exclaim-
socialist system and even that they
Solzhenitsyn and I differ most
ing, "Solzhenitsyn really offended
harbored defeatist sentiments dur-
sharply over the defense of civil
me in this book!"
ing World War II. These ideas,
rights-freedom of conscience,
The correspondent grinned,
which I may have oversimplified
freedom of expression, freedom to
"Yes, of course, but he doesn't real-
somewhat, are little short of myths.
choose one's country of residence,
ize it."
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
53
SAKHAROV
educational system. The main charge was that we were en-
On Sept. 16 the physicist Yuri Orlov wrote an open letter
emies of détente, working against peace.
to Brezhnev suggesting economic and political reforms and
This grave accusation had an insidious plausibility to
offering a spirited defense of me; like Turchin, he soon found
believers in Soviet foreign policy's pacific aims, the selfless-
himself out of a job. In 1976 he helped organize the Moscow
ness of our aid to national liberation movements and the
Helsinki Watch Group, part of an organization set up by Sovi-
treachery of the imperialists who surrounded us with mili-
et dissidents to monitor human rights violations, but two years
tary installations. If we stand for peace, then the more
later he was sentenced to seven years in a labor camp and five
missiles, nuclear warheads and nerve gas we stockpile, the
of internal exile for anti-Soviet activities. He suffered ex-
safer everyone will be. Our Western opponents employ ex-
tremely harsh treatment. At the end of Orlov's trial, a scuffle
actly the same line of argument.
broke out when his friends were barred from entering the
In response to the press campaign against me, Valentin
courtroom to hear the verdict. I hit one KGB agent; Lusia, re-
Turchin of the Institute of Applied Mathematics issued an
ceiving a sharp blow to the neck from another, smacked him
open letter in my support. His defense was made at a heavy
back, but as she was being shoved into a police car, she acci-
cost: he was denounced at a staff meeting, demoted and fi-
dentally punched the local police chief. She said later, "I was
nally fired. Turchin later supported himself by tutoring pri-
right to hit the KGB agent and don't regret it, but I struck the
vate students until his immigration to the U.S. in 1977.
police chief by mistake, and I'd like to apologize to him."
Sakharov and Solzhenitsyn: a Difference in Principle
Despite their common struggle
his epic work The Gulag Archipela-
icy mines in Kolyma and Norilsk.
against the arbitrariness of the Soviet
go. Real life is never simple, howev-
On Feb. 12, 1974, Solzhenitsyn
system, Sakharov and fellow Nobel
er, and our relations are now diffi-
was taken from his home and placed
laureate and dissident Aleksandr Sol-
cult-perhaps unavoidably so, since
under arrest. The next day a group
zhenitsyn stood far apart on funda-
we are not at all alike and differ
gathered in our apartment and
mental questions of Soviet life.
markedly on questions of principle.
drafted the "Moscow Appeal" de-
manding Solzhenitsyn's release and
We first met at the apartment of
The two continued meeting into
an investigation of the crimes de-
a friend of mine on Aug. 26, 1968.
the early 1970s, not always amicably.
scribed in The Gulag Archipelago.
With his lively blue eyes and ruddy
Once, Solzhenitsyn's first wife scold-
But Solzhenitsyn was expelled from
beard, his tongue-twistingly fast
ed Sakharov for harping
the country and flown
speech delivered in an unexpected
on the issue of Jewish
to West Germany.
treble and his deliberate, precise
emigration and fretting
The West's lack
Before discussing
gestures, he seemed an animated
about the harassment
concentration of purposeful energy.
of his wife's children,
of unity is the
the issues that divide
us, I wish to emphasize
He voiced his disagreements
pointing out that the
price it pays for
my profound respect
with me in incisive fashion. Any
Russian people faced
greater worries. As Sa-
pluralism,
for him, for his talent
kind of convergence is out of the
as a writer and for his
question. The West is caught up in
kharov writes, Lusia was
freedom and
historic achievement
materialism and permissiveness.
"outraged by the lectur-
in uncovering the
Socialism may turn out to be its final
ing tone" and burst out,
respect for the
state's crimes. I agree
ruin. Our leaders are soulless robots
"Don't give me that
individual
with a great deal of
who have latched onto power and
'Russian people' S
!
what he says. But even
the good life and won't let go until
You make breakfast for
where I share Solzhe-
forced to do so.
your own children, not
nitsyn's general thesis,
Solzhenitsyn claimed that I had
for the whole Russian
I often find troubling
understated Stalin's crimes. Ac-
people!" Still, the Sakharovs were
the peremptory nature of his judg-
cording to one estimate, 60 million
soon rallying to Solzhenitsyn's
ments, the absence of nuance and
people had died as a result of terror,
defense.
his lack of tolerance for the opin-
famine and associated disease. My
ions of others. He displays a marked
figure of 10 million deaths in labor
Right after New Year 1974, Sol-
anti-Western and isolationist bias,
camps was too low. I was also wrong
zhenitsyn's 13-year-old stepson vis-
at times lapsing into an exaggerated
to differentiate Stalin from Lenin:
ited our apartment, disappeared
Russian nationalism.
corruption and destruction began
into the bathroom and returned
In Solzhenitsyn's view, the West
the day the Bolsheviks seized pow-
with a book that had been con-
is losing its battle against totalitar-
er, and have continued ever since.
cealed under his clothing: The Gu-
ianism, which is on the offensive ev-
It's a mistake to seek a multiparty
lag Archipelago. The book was a
erywhere. Inconsistent, disunited,
system; what we need is a nonparty
shattering experience, evoking a
lacking firm religious or moral
system.
somber world of gray camps sur-
guidelines, it is wallowing in the
I felt enormous respect for him,
rounded by barbed wire, investiga-
pleasures of the consumer society,
since reinforced by publication of
tors' offices and torture chambers,
in permissiveness. It is heedlessly
52
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
SAKHAROV
hopes inspired by the Prague Spring collapsed. And "real
Not long afterward, her son Alexei was rejected by
socialism" displayed its true colors, its stagnation, its in-
Moscow University. He was an excellent student, winning a
ability to tolerate pluralistic or democratic tendencies, not
prize in the math Olympics and graduating first in his class.
just in the Soviet Union but even in neighboring countries.
But during his junior year at a new school he refused to at-
The abolition of censorship and free elections were regard-
tend the standard "Lenin class" that led to automatic
ed as too risky and contagious.
Komsomol [Communist Party youth organization] mem-
The international repercussions of the invasion were
bership. I urged him not to jeopardize his future for a mi-
enormous. For millions of former supporters, it destroyed
nor formality. Alexei answered, "Andrei Dmitrievich, you
their faith in the Soviet system and its potential for reform.
allow yourself to be honest. Why do you advise me to be-
On Aug. 25, to protest the invasion, seven activists sat
have differently?"
for a minute near the spot in Red Square where prisoners
We later learned that one Moscow University examiner
had been executed in prerevolutionary Russia. Then KGB
had received a direct order to flunk him: "He won't be ac-
agents began beating them. All were arrested (they were
cepted anyway, and you'd just be fired." Alexei's story is
quickly sent to labor camps, into exile or, in one case, to a
not unusual. Anti-Semitic discrimination in university ad-
prison psychiatric hospital). Minutes later, cars carrying
missions is part of a deliberate policy of squeezing Jews out
Alexander Dubcek and other Czechoslovak leaders who
of the country's intellectual establishment. The Central
had been brought to Moscow by force shot out of the
Committee is said to have asked Mstislav Keldysh, then
Kremlin's Spassky Gate and raced across Red Square.
president of the Academy of Sciences, when its Jewish
membership would fall to zero. It would take about 20
years to solve the "problem," he replied. I must note that
Acts of "Hooliganism"
Keldysh did not reduce the number of Jews in the institutes
he directed and was not anti-Semitic.
Sakharov's wife Klava died in 1969 of stomach cancer.
After a while he found himself working closely with Elena
Bonner ("Lusia"), a vigorous human rights activist of Jewish
Notoriety at Home and a Nobel in Oslo
and Armenian origin. "Since August 1971," he writes, "Lusia
and I have followed a common path." In January 1972 they
On Aug. 15, 1973, Mikhail Malyarov, the Soviet Deputy
were married, and attending the ceremony were half a dozen
Procurator-General, telephoned and asked me to come
KGB men in identical black suits. "I'd guess that they were
see him. At his office on Pushkin Street, Malyarov said that
demonstrating their disapproval," notes Sakharov. Soon the
meeting with the foreign press, as I had been doing in be-
authorities were stepping up the pressure on him and Bonner
half of dissidents, could be regarded as a violation of my
to cease speaking out.
obligation not to disclose state secrets. To make it clear
that I was determined to go on speaking out, I decided to
After the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich
hold a major press conference.
Olympics, I joined a silent protest in front of the Lebanese
Some 30 Western correspondents crowded into our
embassy in Moscow. Lusia was ill, but her son Alexei, her
apartment on Aug. 21. I said I supported détente, since it
daughter Tanya and Tanya's husband Efrem Yankelevich
reduced the risk of war, but added that caution, unity and
were with me. We were all carted to a drunk tank by the
firmness of purpose were necessary on the part of the
KGB. A month later, Tanya was expelled from Moscow Uni-
West as it embarked on a new and more complex rela-
versity. Lusia's children had now become hostages to my
tionship with the U.S.S.R. The Soviet Union, I said, is a
public activity. Their access to education and jobs would be
country "behind a mask," a closed, totalitarian society ca-
restricted or blocked. Threats of arrest, imprisonment, phys-
pable of dangerously unpredictable actions. Détente
ical violence and even murder became a genuine menace.
would promote international security only if the West
Eventually, the children were forced to emigrate.
avoided letting the U.S.S.R. achieve military superiority
On Oct. 26, 1973, the trial of Cronid Lubarsky, an astro-
and at the same time tried to promote a more open Sovi-
physicist charged with distributing the Chronicle of Human
et society. I reminded my listeners that the ingrained con-
Events, the underground publication, began in Noginsk, a
servatism and inertia of the Soviet system militated
town near Moscow. A dozen of us tried to enter the court-
against any rapid change. A few hours after the confer-
room but were shoved back outside by a wedge of KGB agents.
ence, Western radio stations and newspapers began car-
Arms were twisted; some people were trampled. Lusia
rying reports.
marched up to the senior KGB officer and slapped his face.
On Aug. 28, newspapers carried a letter signed by 40
Two weeks later, Lusia was summoned before the Mos-
academicians denouncing me for actions that "discredit
cow party committee. Could she explain her acts of "hooli-
the good name of Soviet science." It marked the beginning
ganism" in Noginsk? Such behavior, she was told, raised
of a press campaign against me that included the obligatory
doubts about her continued membership in the party. The
letters from scientific research institutes, writers' and art-
threat of expulsion was meant to intimidate her. Instead,
ists' unions, individual scientists, authors, physicians, war
Lusia placed her party card on the table, along with a state-
veterans, steelworkers, miners and milkmaids.
ment she had prepared asking to be removed from the
The writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was also included in
ranks of the party. It was an enormously effective stroke.
many of these attacks. The vital truths expressed in his ex-
"Why are you so hostile to the Soviet system?" a com-
traordinary literary works and keen polemics had made
mittee member asked. "It's given you everything."
him the object of virulent party and KGB hatred for several
"No one gave me anything. I fought in the war, nearly
years; now there were claims that I alone, or the two of us,
lost my sight; I worked night and day." Lusia had broken
were engaged in a slanderous assault on Soviet society and
with the party for good.
its guarantees of work, free medical care and an unrivaled
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
51
The extra room
is what
you make it.
It's a living room,
a meeting room,
a work room,
or a playroom.
At Marriott Suites, we have everything you'd expect from Marriott. Like friendly and efficient
service, a restaurant and lounge, pool and health club. And our guests
earn Marriott Honored Guest Awards.
$129
But we also have something rather unexpected. An extra room that
can be used in any number of ways.
Bethesda, MD
Not the least of which is to make very happy guests.
Introductory Rate
Marriott Suites
The Marriott of Suite Hotels.
Alexandria, VA
Atlanta Midtown
Atlanta Perimeter
Bethesda, MD
Chicago Downers Grove
Chicago Elk Grove (Fall '90)
Chicago O'Hare
Costa Mesa, CA
Dallas (Jan., '91)
Deerfield, IL (May)
Newport Beach, CA
San Diego
Scottsdale, AZ
Washington Dulles
Wilmington, DE.
Corporate Rates range from $99-$149 "depending on location. Lower weekend rates available.
*All rates subject to change.
For reservations, call your travel professional or 1-800-622-SUITE.
1990 Marriott Suites
DCM/BE4
DUOUESNE UNIVERSITY
"A Renaissance University in a Renaissance City"
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
GRADUATE SCHOOL
SCHOOL OF LAW
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION
SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL OF NURSING
DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
"One hundred and eleven years ago, the Fathers and Brothers
of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost began what has
become one of the great traditions in higher education.
Today, Duquesne University combines genuine academic ex-
cellence with a profound concern for values. Located on one
of the safest and most attractive urban campuses in one of
America's most livable cities, Duquesne University has been
a pillar of academic achievement in a city of change."
"At Duquesne, we believe that an education for a successful
career is important. It is equally important that a university
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
provides an education for life. At Duquesne, it is the Spirit
HOW TO BECOME A PART OF THE
that gives life. Discover the Spirit of Duquesne."
DUQUESNE TRADITION
CALL 1- 800-456-0590
John E. MURRAY, JR.
OR (412) 434-5000.
PRESIDENT
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 15282
SAKHAROV
Early in June I traveled with
Khariton to the Installation in his
personal railroad car. After supper
Khariton said, "[KGB chief Yuri] An-
dropov called me in. His agents have
been finding copies of your essay all
over the place-it's circulating ille-
gally, and it will cause a lot of harm if
it gets abroad. Andropov asked me to
talk to you. You ought to withdraw it
from circulation."
"Why don't you take a look at it?"
I suggested. Khariton retired to his
compartment to do so.
"Well, what do you think?" I in-
quired the next day.
"It's awful."
"The style?"
Khariton grimaced. "No, not the
style. It's the content that's awful!"
"The contents reflect my beliefs.
WITH LUSIA, AND HER SON ALEXEI, ON THE DAY OF THEIR MARRIAGE
It's too late to withdraw it."
In mid-June Andrei Amalrik, who wrote Will the Soviet
imperialists use nuclear weapons, we'll retaliate at once
Union Survive Until 1984? and as a result was imprisoned
with everything we've got and destroy every target neces-
for five years for defaming the Soviet state, gave a copy of
sary to ensure victory."
Reflections to a Dutch correspondent. On July 10, a few
So our response would be an immediate, all-out nucle-
days after returning to the Installation and exactly seven
ar attack on enemy cities and industry as well as on military
years after my clash with Khrushchev over nuclear testing,
targets! Most alarming, Slavsky ignored the question of
I turned on the BBC or VOA and heard my name. The an-
what, other than military force, might prevent war. I point-
nouncer reported that on July 6 the Dutch newspaper Het
ed out that Reflections warned against exactly the kind of
Parool had published my article.
approach he was taking, in which life-and-death decisions
The die was cast. That evening I had the most profound
are made by people who have usurped power (and privi-
feeling of satisfaction. The following day I was due to fly to
lege) without accepting the checks of free opinion and
Moscow but stopped at my office at 9 a.m. and told Khari-
open debate. I raised the issue of Czechoslovakia: Was
ton, "My article's been published abroad."
there any guarantee against Soviet intervention? Slavsky
"I knew it would happen" was all Khariton could say.
said that had been ruled out by the Central Committee,
He looked crushed. Two hours later, I left for the airfield. I
provided there was no overt counterrevolutionary vio-
was never to set foot in my office again.
lence, as occurred in Hungary.
A couple of weeks after this, Khariton told me that
Slavsky opposed my return to the Installation. "You're to
A Dangerous Muddle
remain in Moscow for the time being," he said. This was
tantamount to being fired.
Toward the end of July, Slavsky summoned me to the
On July 22 Reflections was published in the New York
ministry. "Party secretaries have been calling from all over
Times and later was widely reprinted. The International
the country," he said, "demanding firm measures to put a
Publishers Association said that in 1968-69 more than
stop to counterrevolutionary propaganda in my ministry."
18 million copies were published around the world, putting
Of Reflections, he said, "It's a dangerous muddle. You criti-
me in third place after Mao Zedong and Lenin and ahead
cize the leaders' privileges-you've enjoyed the same privi-
of Georges Simenon and Agatha Christie.
leges. Those who bear immense responsibilities, difficult
Reflections was well received by liberal intellectuals
burdens, deserve some advantages. It's for the cause.
abroad. A kindred voice had reached them from behind
"What you wrote about convergence is utopian non-
the Iron Curtain-and from a member of a profession that
sense. Capitalism can't be made humane. Their social pro-
in America was dominated by "hawks." On the other hand,
grams and employee stock plans aren't steps toward social-
my criticism of Soviet society appealed to conservatives,
ism. And there's no trace of state capitalism in the U.S.S.R.
and everyone seemed pleased by my comments on the en-
We'll never give up the advantages of our system, and capi-
vironment, my humanitarian concerns and my scenarios
talists aren't interested in your convergence either.
for the future.
"Without a strong hand, we could never have rebuilt
The essay was widely read in the U.S.S.R. as well-
our economy after the war or broken the American atomic
samizdat was flourishing-but many people were punished
monopoly-you yourself helped do that. You have no mor-
for circulating Reflections. A driver from Dushanbe who
al right to judge our generation-Stalin's generation-for
had mailed my essay to a friend was sentenced to three
its mistakes, for its brutality; you're now enjoying the fruits
years in a labor camp for defaming the Soviet system.
of our labor and our sacrifices.
On Aug. 21 newspapers reported that Warsaw Pact
"Convergence is a dream. We've got to be strong,
troops had entered Czechoslovakia and were "fulfilling
stronger than the capitalists-then there'l be peace. If the
their international duty." The invasion had begun. The
50
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
SAKHAROV
defending against them. I wrote about the crimes of Stalin-
tive call to revolutionary struggle, but there is nothing pe-
ism and the need to expose them fully and the vital impor-
remptory or fanatical in them once they are stripped of
tance of freedom of opinion and democracy. I stressed the
their poetic imagery. Reflections rejected all extremes, the
value of progress but warned that it must be scientifically
intransigence of revolutionaries and reactionaries alike. It
managed and not left to chance. I outlined a program for
called for compromise and for progress moderated by en-
mankind's future; my vision was somewhat Utopian, but I
lightened conservatism and caution. Marx notwithstand-
remain convinced that the exercise was worthwhile.
ing, evolution is a better "locomotive of history" than revo-
Later on, life-and Lusia [Elena Bonner, his second
lution: the "battle" I had in mind was nonviolent.
wife]-would teach me to pay more attention to individual
victims of injustice, and a further step followed: recogni-
tion that human rights and an open society are fundamen-
"For God's Sake, Don't Do That"
tal to international confidence, security and progress.
I prefaced Reflections with an epigraph taken from
I flew to Moscow on April 1, bringing a typed copy of
Goethe's Faust:
the essay. Historian Roy Medvedev came to see me that
Of freedom and of life he only is deserving
evening, and I exchanged it for the final chapters of his
Who every day must conquer them anew.
book on Stalin. Medvedev showed my essay to friends
(which I had given him permission to do), and he passed on
The heroic romanticism of these lines echoes my own
their comments. After making a few changes, I gave the
sense of life as both wonderful and tragic. Another aspect of
manuscript back to Medvedev. He was going to produce a
the truth that complements Goethe's metaphor is contained
dozen or more carbon copies. Some, he warned me, might
in these lines by the postwar poet Alexander Mezhirov,
end up abroad. I replied that I had taken that into account.
I lie in a trench under fire.
(We were communicating in writing to foil eavesdroppers.)
A man enters his home, from the cold.
On May 18, I paid a call on Yuli Khariton, scientific di-
rector of the Installation. I mentioned that I was writing an
Mezhirov understands that heroic exploits are not ends
essay on war and peace, ecology and freedom of expres-
in themselves but are worthwhile only insofar as they en-
sion. Khariton asked what I intended to do with it. "I'll give
able other people to lead normal, peaceful lives. Not every-
it to samizdat," I answered, referring to the underground
one need spend time in the trenches. The meaning of life is
network that had sprung up for circulating dissident writ-
life itself: the daily routine that demands its own unobtru-
ing. "For God's sake, don't do that," he said. "It's too late
sive heroism. Goethe's lines are often read as an impera-
to stop it now," I confessed.
SIMON IVAN
NEAR PRAGUE, 1968: "REAL SOCIALISM" SHOWS ITS TRUE COLORS
TIME, MAY 21, 1990
49
SAKHAROV
As the 1960s drew on, Andrei Sakharov inched toward a
break with the regime he had served so ably as the master
JURI ROST
builder of its thermonuclear-weapons program. His convic-
tions and the growing repression in the U.S.S.R. during the
Brezhnev years moved him to identify ever more closely
with dissent in his own country and abroad. In 1966 he
took part in his first human rights demonstration, a one-
minute silent protest in Pushkin Square. In 1967 he wrote a
letter to Communist Party leader Leonid Brezhnev defend-
ing imprisoned dissidents. That prompted an angry reaction
from Efim Slavsky, head of the Ministry of Medium Ma-
chine Building, which supervised the Soviet nuclear pro-
gram. "Sakharov is a good scientist," said Slavsky. "But as
a politician he's muddleheaded, and we'll be taking mea-
sures." Those included a pay cut of nearly 50% and a de-
motion at the Installation, the secret "atomic city" east of
Moscow, where he was then working on the peaceful uses
of nuclear explosions. But in the following year, 1968, Sa-
kharov definitively broke with the Soviet system, and far
harsher measures were soon to come.
AT HOME IN MOSCOW IN THE LAST YEAR OF HIS LIFE
Years in Exile
By ANDREI SAKHAROV
were a sort of Prague Spring in miniature. They frightened
the KGB into taking tough countermeasures: firing, black-
y the beginning of 1968, I felt a growing compul-
listing, public reprimand, expulsion from the party. After
B
sion to speak out on the fundamental issues of
1968, when everyone understood the consequences, peo-
our age. I was influenced by my life experience
ple refused to lend their names to such initiatives.
and a feeling of personal responsibility, rein-
To my shame, I must admit that the campaign simply
forced by the part I'd played in the development of the hy-
passed me by, just as had the 1964 banishment of poet Jo-
drogen bomb, the special knowledge I'd gained about ther-
seph Brodsky from Leningrad and the 1965 arrests of the
monuclear warfare, my bitter struggle to ban nuclear
dissident writers Andrei Sinyavsky and Yuli Daniel.
testing and my familiarity with the Soviet system. I hoped
Around the end of January 1968, a friend suggested
that such notions as an open society, convergence of the
that I write an article on the role of the intelligentsia in to-
capitalist and communist systems, and world government
day's world. The idea appealed to me, and soon I was writ-
might ease the tragic crisis of our age. In 1968 I took my de-
ing at the Installation from 7 p.m. to midnight. My wife
cisive step by publishing Reflections on Progress, Peaceful
Klava was ambivalent: she knew full well the potential con-
Coexistence, and Intellectual Freedom.
sequences for us and our three children, but she allowed
My work on Reflections happened to coincide with the
me complete freedom of action. By this time her health was
Prague Spring. What so many of us in the socialist coun-
beginning to deteriorate.
tries had been dreaming of finally seemed to be coming to
My essay laid a theoretical foundation for virtually the
pass in Czechoslovakia: democracy, including freedom of
entire range of my future public activities. I wanted to alert
expression and abolition of censorship; reform of the eco-
readers to the grave perils threatening the human race-
nomic and social systems; curbs on the security forces; and
thermonuclear extinction, ecological catastrophe, famine,
full disclosure of the crimes of the Stalin era (the
an uncontrolled population explosion, alienation and dog-
"Gottwald era" in Czechoslovakia). Even from afar, we
matic distortion of our conception of reality.
were caught up in all the hopes of the catchwords "Prague
I argued for convergence, for a rapprochement of the
Spring" and "socialism with a human face."
socialist and capitalist systems that could eliminate or sub-
Events in the Soviet Union echoed those in Prague but
stantially reduce these dangers. Economic, social and ideo-
on a much reduced scale. In the campaign for the dissi-
logical convergence should bring about a scientifically gov-
dents Alexander Ginzburg, Yuri Galanskov and Vera
erned, democratic, pluralistic society free of intolerance
Lashkova (who were tried in January 1968), more than
and dogmatism, a humanitarian society that would care for
1,000 signatures-an extraordinary number under Soviet
the earth and its future and would embody the positive fea-
conditions-were collected, mainly from the intelligentsia.
tures of both systems.
A few years earlier, no one would have dreamed of publicly
I wrote about thermonuclear missiles-their enormous
defending such "hostile elements." That and other efforts
destructive power, their relatively low cost, the difficulty of
48
From Memoirs. ©1990 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Translated by Richard Lourie
Milestones
"Sondheim is the most important force
in the American musical theater
BORN. To Ivan Lendl, 30, the world's top-
Leonard Bernstein
ranked professional tennis player, and
Samantha Frankel Lendl, 22: their first child,
a daughter; in Greenwich, Conn. Name:
T
his magnificent
set is like no
Marika Lee Lendl. Weight: 8 lbs. 3 OZ.
other collection of
BORN. To Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg,
Stephen Sondheim's
32, lawyer, and Edwin Schlossberg, 44, au-
music. Created speci-
thor and designer of museum exhibits:
fically for the re-
their second child, second daughter; in
cording medium and recorded in state-of-the-art digital
New York City. Name: Tatiana Celia Ken-
sound, it is both comprehensive and astonishingly new. Dig-
nedy Schlossberg. Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz.
ital Audio calls it "a wondrous new retrospective of Sond-
BORN. To Amy Irving, 36, actress (Crossing
heim's career [that] accomplishes everything that a
Delancey), and Brazilian film director
retrospective should."
Bruno Barreto, 35 (Dona Flor and Her Two
Its range is unequaled-: selections, including material
Husbands): their first child, a son; in Santa
from the little-known The Frogs and Evening Primrose as well
Monica, Calif. Name: Gabriel Davis Bar-
reto. Weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz.
N
as every Broadway show for which he wrote both music and
lyrics (through Sunday in the Park with George). Along with
INDICTED. Marion S. Barry Jr., 54, mayor of
eye-opening new versions of his best-loved songs, it features
Washington; on six counts of misdemeanor
the first vocal recording of his song "Goodbye For Now" (per-
drug offenses (cocaine possession, conspir-
formed as an instrumental in the film Reds) and an extraor-
acy to possess cocaine), less than four
dinary 27-minute Suite of Dances from Pacific Overtures,
weeks before he is to go on trial on eight
counts (including three felony charges of
recomposed by Sondheim specifically for this recording and
lying) handed up after his arrest in January
performed by a 40-piece orchestra led by Paul Gemignani.
in an FBI sting operation; by a federal
"This anthology has been created from scratch, and so have
grand jury in Washington. Despite his legal
many of the orchestral treatments," says Sondheim, who him-
problems and treatment for alcoholism
self helped choose the selections and attended every record-
and prescription-drug addiction, he has
been acting as though he will run for a
ing session. "That's what makes it exciting."
fourth term; a felony conviction would
Now hear Sondheim as you've never heard him before
make him ineligible to hold the office.
available exclusively by mail on either CDs or cassettes.
CONTENTS The Worst Pies in London
A Little Priest
Liaisons
DIED. Carl R. ("Spitz") Channell, 44, the
Any-
one Can Whistle
I
Do Like You
Me and My Town
Take
Me
to
the
first person to plead guilty in the Iran-con-
World
The
tra scandal; of injuries suffered on March
Honey
Finishing the Hat
Johanna
God-Why-Don't-You-
Love-Me Blues
Losing My Mind
Theme from Stavisky
Too Many
15 when he was hit by a car; in Washington.
Mornings
Everybody Says Don't
Not While I'm Around
With So Little
Public relations man Channell admitted in
to Be Sure Of
Suite of Dances from Pacific Overtures
Send in
1987 to conspiring to defraud the Govern-
the Clowns
Old Friends/Like It Was
You Must Meet My Wife
ment by using a tax-exempt foundation to
Sorry-Grateful
The Glamorous Life
(The Letter Song)
Fear No
raise millions for contra supplies.
More
Comedy Tonight
In Buddy's Eyes
Goodbye for Now
The Little
Things You Do Together
Good Thing Going
It's a Hit
DIED. Walker Percy, 73, pre-eminent
Digitally recorded. DDD
Southern novelist and essayist whose first
published novel, The Moviegoer, won a Na-
ORDERING INFORMATION
tional Book Award for fiction for 1961; of
cancer; in Covington, La. His six novels,
Two compact discs (#11-7517) $25.95
among them Love in the Ruins and Lance-
lot, dramatized his chosen theme, "the
Two cassettes (#91-7516) $22.95
dislocation of man in the modern age."
Alabama-born, Percy forsook his medical
To order by phone (credit-card orders only) call:
training and Protestantism and turned to
writing and Roman Catholicism. He spun
1-800-233-1066,
his existential view of humans into muscu-
Monday through Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., Eastern Time.
lar and compelling stories that place him in
the Southern pantheon of writers including
To order by mail, send your check, money order or major credit-
William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe and Eu-
card information with your signature to Book-of-the-Month Rec-
dora Welty.
ords, Camp Hill, PA 17012. Please include the item number(s) of
DIED. Pauline Frederick, 84, a pioneer fe-
the recordings you want, plus a shipping and handling charge of
male star in broadcasting; in Lake Forest,
$1.75 for the first set and 60¢ for each additional set, and sales
Ill. Known for her brisk, cogent analysis of
world events, she served from 1953 to 1974
as NBC'S U.N. correspondent. In 1976 she
M
tax if you live in NY or PA.
Also, indicate the code
number found in the lower
was the first woman journalist to moderate
right-hand corner of this ad
a presidential debate.
on your order.
RC-773-0-1/9-50
speechwriters
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
UNTIL 9:00 P.M. EST
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1990
FACT SHEET
The President's CFE Initiative on U.S. and Soviet Manpower
After initial discussions with NATO Allies, the President
concluded that changes which have taken place in Europe over the
last three months have made it possible to propose lower levels
in the area of greatest concentration of forces -- Central and
Eastern Europe. However, the United States will maintain
significant military forces in Europe as long as our Allies
desire our presence as part of a common security effort.
Therefore, in his State of the Union address to Congress on
January 31, President Bush proposed to revise NATO's current
position in the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)
Negotiations to lower substantially the levels of U.S. and Soviet
ground and air force manpower in Central and Eastern Europe to
195,000 on each side. Forces withdrawn will be demobilized.
There would be approximately 225,000 U.S. ground and air force
personnel in Europe after CFE reductions are completed. The
proposal responds to rapid changes in Eastern Europe and is
designed to help propel the CFE negotiations to an early
conclusion in 1990.
The President's initiative would supersede an earlier proposal
establishing a level of 275,000 each on U.S. and Soviet ground
and air force manpower stationed outside of their respective
national territories in the Atlantic to the Urals region.
The President has concluded that this proposal reflects the
minimum level of U.S. forces needed in Europe to protect American
interests and to sustain NATO's strategy of forward defense and
flexible response. Even if -- as we expect -- Soviet forces in
this region are reduced even further, the United States does not
envision the further reduction of its forces in Europe below this
new level.
* * *
THE WHITE HOUSE
copy Geg Petersmay
speechuriles WASHINGTON Chirs N.
DATE: 2-2-90
TO: David Demarest
FROM:
ANDY CARD CARD/fundy
FY.I.
onthe tip today, hawan alexander
mentioned to the President that UT's
black basketball coach, Wade Houston (?),
would be an excellent role-model to
highlight. The President said he
would "keep him in mind" and "make
sure the staff did too."
ht:60 98306
Henry A. Kissinger
Old Fears and the New Germany
If the West links German unification with European integration, it will defeat both.
A
S it has been since the 1648
tary Baker recently visited East Ger-
Whatever the time scale for Ger-
the East in May, in the Federal Re-
Treaty of Westphalia, the future
many and met with leaders with whom
man unification or its nature, the di-
public in December. After initially de-
of Germany is again at the core of the
contact had been shunned for 40 years,
rection of it must be established within
claring a hands-off policy, the West
revolutionary changes rippling across
who have been all but repudiated by the
the next year. Once two German
German political parties are apparent-
Europe. And the reaction of the West-
East German public and who even now
states-especially democratic ones-
ly ready to make a major effort in the
ern democracies seems to prove
are making it difficult for democratic
become fixtures of the European equi-
East German elections, because the
George Bernard Shaw's aphorism that
parties to organize. And the four Allied
librium, German unification can be
outcome might give the winner a leg
"there are two tragedies in life. One is
commanders jumped at a Soviet pro-
pursued only at the cost of an interna-
up in the West German election cam-
to lose your heaft's desire. The other
posal to hold for the first time since
tional crisis. European politics will re-
paign. Thus the same parties will
is to gain it."
1971 a meeting of the so-called Kom-
vert to the-patterns of the 18th and
likely prevail in East Germany as in
Having deplored the division of Eu-
mandatura, the four-power control
19th centuries. Outside powers-es-
the Federal Republic, if perhaps in
rope for nearly half a century, the
commission for Berlin. These gestures,
pecially the Soviet Union-will be giv-
different combinations. It is highly
Western democracies cannot decide
by treating the East German state as
en an opportunity to manipulate inter-
improbable that the policies toward
how to relate the eruption of freedom
the moral and political equivalent of the
German rivalry. For the 200 years
unification will-being essentially non-
in Eastern Europe to the traditional
on either side of the
policies of Atlantic cohesion and Euro-
dividing line.
pean integration. Trying to pour new
Therefore the appeals of Germany's
wine into old bottles, they seek to
allies for gradualism are curiously ir-
reconcile their proclamations of the
relevant, and assurances to the Soviet
past with their premonitions of the
Union that no effort will be made to
future by formulae so ambiguous that
accelerate the process could be dan-
Photo Copy Preservation
they can be interpreted to support
gerous. In fact, the victors of World
incompatible objectives.
War II have no realistic method to
For years, conventional wisdom de-
implement their misgivings. The West-
nied the existence of any problem.
em allies are reduced to exhortations
The Soviet grip on Eastern Europe
or to threats of a Soviet option-as
and especially on the German Demo-
Mitterrand has been hinting. But the
cratic Republic seemed unshakable. It
threat is not very plausible, since in a
was therefore expected that West Eu-
race to Moscow, Germany is probably
ropean integration would move much
better placed than its neighbors.
more rapidly than German unification.
Events both unforeseen and unset-
Soviet Union, it surely
tling now belie these assumptions.
Lhas the physical power to prevent
Soviet power in Eastern Europe has
German unification. But to do so by
collapsed. The Brezhnev doctrine,
force would wreck the "Gorbachev
which committed the Red Army's sup-
fever". in the Federal Republic on
port to Communist regimes, has been
which Moscow has staked SO much
abandoned. These events have ex-
and which it has worked hard to
posed a gap between the West's de-
foster. The Kremlin can also offer
claratory policy and its actions which,
unification in return for Germany's
if not bridged, could wreck the
For the 200 years prior to German
loosening its Western ties. The least
achievements of four deçades of West-
Germany's allies can do is to avoid
ern statesmanship.
To be sure, Western leaders contin-
unification, as many wars were
providing incentives to Germany for
such a course,
ue to reaffirm their commitment to
German self-determination. But they
sparked by Germany's division as
The only realistic way to moderate
the pace of events and to keep Germa-
all hedge their pronouncements with
bysits subsequent unity.
ny in the Western community is to
conditions that amount to turning the
come to an agreement on the desired
Atlantic Alliance and European inte-
outcome and then to plan together the
gration into obstacles to German unifi-
national states of Eastern Europe, im-
prior to German unification, as many
precise step to reach the goals. Like
cation and, in the long term, barriers
ply a Western interest in the status quo
wars were sparked by Germany's divi-
many. contemporaries who experi-
to the pro-Western orientation of the
in Germany. Over time this will gener-
sion as by its subsequent unity.
enced the Hitler regime. and World
German state,
ate a sense that German national aspi-
In truth, the choice of the Western
War II, would have suffered no sense
British Prime Minister Margaret
rations are incompatible with the West-
democracies is not so great as their
of deprivation had the issue of German
Thatcher, for instance, has placed
em orientation of the Federal Republic.
unification remained in limbo for a
public pronouncements suggest. For
German unification at the end of a
while longer. Now that it has arisen,
any attempt to make progress toward
process of democratization of Eastern
A
rticle 7 of the treaty that laid the
German unification conditional on
we no longer have the option of defer-
Europe that includes the Soviet Union
basis for German rearmament
progress toward European integration
ring it to a more convenient moment,
and that by implication preserves the
pledged the three Western powers to
will defeat both-this is the weakness
A faster pace of European integration
East German state as a separate sov-
cooperate in working toward German
of the American principles. It will
is highly desirable. But paradoxically it
ereign entity for a period/expected to
unification. In the stormy debate that
sooner or later turn German national-
is most likely in the context of a
last 10 to 15 years. At a recent press
followed, the advocates of German inte-
Western plan on German unification.
ism against European integration and
conference, French President Fran-
gration into NATO were accused by
This is the best way of ensuring that
Atlantic unity. And it will probably
cois Mitterrand declared that Europe-
their opponents of jeopardizing the ulti-
European integration and the Atlantic
prove counterproductive with respect-
an integration should precède German
mate unity of the German nation. A
Alliance are not perceived in Germany
to European integration by giving
unification, which should take the
similar-if less passionate-debate
as a subterfuge for delaying unifica-
those who fear German unity and are
form of a special position of the Ger-
took place over the issue of European
tion. Particular steps can be staged
not enthusiastic about European inte-
man Democratic Republic within the
integration. After an initial period of
over a reasonable time period, 80 long
gration the opportunity to kill two
European Community.
hesitation, all German democratic par-
as the process moves toward an ac-
birds with one stone.
The American stand has been more
ties committed themselves to Atlantic
ceptable objective.
complex. President Bush and Secre-
Policy. cannot invent reality; it can
as well as European institutions, and
For all these reasons, the confed-
tary of State James A. Baker III have
only use it. The time frames for Ger-
they have carried out their commit-
eration proposal of Kohl-greeted so
put forward four principles that seek
man unification and European integra-
ments for 40 years.
lukewarmly by his allies-represents
to reconcile German national aspira-
tion are simply not the same. The
Germany's democratic allies should
the minimum compatible with German
tions with allaying historic European
former is driven by fundamental emo-
think twice before they risk the West-
aspirations and international necessi-
fears: that the principle of self-
tions fueled by established democratic
em connection of the Federal Republic
ties. Overcoming their misgivings, the
determination be preserved without
procedures, while the latter reflects
by forcing German leaders to choose
allies should develop a long-range pro-
prejudice to its outcome; that German
prudent calculations driven by techni-
between their allies and their national
gram in four stages:
unification take place within the
cal bureaucratic procedures.
goals. They must not create a German
As a first step, the elaboration of a
framework of NATO and the Europe-
problem in the name of avoiding it.
The real choice before the Western
timetable for German confederation to
an Community; that unification be part
Right now the West German political
allies is whether they. fear German;
be completed within a two-year period.
of a step-by-step process and that
campaign obscures these dangers, be-
unity more than they prize European
The Confederation should have a com-
Germany reiterate its support for the
cause the opposition parties have cho-
integration and Atlantic cohesion. The
mon foreign policy as its goal.
principles of the Helsinki Act regard-
sen to blame Chancellor Helmut Kohl's
way to avoid German preponderance is
The implementation of another ma-
ing its borders.
alleged heavy-handedness for the-Fed-
not to ascribe to it motives contrary to
jor step toward European political in-
eral Republic's frustrations. But this
40 years of responsible German policy,
tegration beyond what is envisaged
tatesmen forget at their peril that
internal quarrel is bound to be tempo-
even less to divide that country. Should
for 1992 should be completed within a
arcane language is not in itself
rary. For Kohl represents the part of
Germany, against all present indica-
fixed time period after the establish-
reality. The gradualism being
the German political spectrum most
tions and common sense, seek the road
ment of the German confederation.
preached is not tied to any specific
committed to the Western connection.
of hegemony, Britain and France al-
An important component of this pro-
program, nor has any Western leader
The alternative policy on both the left
ways have the option of increasing their
cess should be a specific program to
defined German self-determination or
and the right is likely to be far more
cooperation within the framework of
enable the countries of Eastern Eu-
a procedure for achieving it. As a
assertive.
European and Atlantic institutions. And
rope to enter into association with the
result, the Western democracies run a
In particular, the question of how to
the United States would surely use its
European community.
huge risk of turning into partners of
treat East Germany internationally
influence to prevent an outcome that it
Concurrent negotiation of a new
the Soviet Union in defending the
brooks no delay. In Eastern Europe
opposed in two wars.
European security system as a step
status quo and in sharing in German
democratic institutions are likely to
toward full unification.
eyes the opprobrium for the division
enhance domestic stability. In the Ger-
everal factors drive German unifi-
The development of a program to
of Germany heretofore borne solely
man Democratic Republic, the opposite
cation, The dissolution of Germa-
move from confederation to whatever
by the Soviet Union.
is certain to occur; free elections will
ny's internal frontiers will force the
form of German unity a process of
For decades the West has suspect-
generate pressures for unification. No
Federal Republic to move rapidly to-
self-determination generates.
ed Moscow of having a German card
formula can alter the fact that the
ward the equalization of living condi
The discussion of a European se-
up its sleeve, It would be ironic if the
principal reason for the existence of the
tions in the two parts of Germany.
curity system must await another arti-
West now handed that card to the
East German state has been as a Com-
Otherwise, a mass exodus of the East
cle. For present purposes it is enough
Soviets just as democracy is prevailing
munist outpost of the Soviet Union.
German population is: probable, ex- to stress that the opportunity to build
in Eastern Europe.
Of course, if the East German popu-
ceeding the capacities of the Federal a trulynew international system must
The danger of making the Kremlin
lation desires a separate state, no coun-
Republic to sustain. Common econom-, not be lost in a maze of bureaucratic
and the East German Communists the
try in the world would object-proba-
ic policies are inevitable; a common formulae masking old fears. It re-
key to German national aspirations re-
bly not even the Federal Republic. But
currency cannot be far behind.
quires a clear vision of what lies ahead
sults not only from Western pronounce-
the Western nations would be taking a
Another impetus will be supplied by
and above all an initiative equal to the
ments but also from Western actions.
fateful step if they were to incite such
the elections scheduled for the two;
challenge before us.
Bail President Millerend And Secre-
AD explution by their 9wn policies
parts of Germany later this year:
© 1990, Los Angeles Times Syndicate
CFE delays the process. We and the Soviets are
now engaged in months of arduous negotiation about
verification procedures, counting rules and similar
ad, well
3) Bankroll democracy. It is absurd for a
niceties. This week's breakthrough is a Western
1 parties.
country with a $5 trillion economy to plead
agreement to accept separate limits for combat planes
roceeding
poverty when asked for contributions of a billion
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1990 A27
nd invest-
dollars or less from countries as important as
and "air defense interceptors," a category of plane
that until last Monday we said did not exist.
riers, and
Panama, Nicaragua, and Poland. President Bush's
This is all quite surreal. If, as the East Europeans
commer-
proposal of a "Fund for Democracy"-$300 mil-
Charles Krauthammer
demand and as eventually must happen, the Soviets
suggests
lion for Nicaragua, $500 million for Panama
Charles Krauthammer
nd play
drawn from the defense budget-is the right
leave Eastern Europe completely, who needs all these
he costly
idea, but still too miserly. With the Soviets in
Declare Victory
negotiated categories and compromises? Zero is zero.
The CFE process is simply prolonging the Soviet stay in
What Should
JS Krem-
eclipse and with new democracies on the financial
Eastern Europe at a time when every other force,
and ideas
brink, our best foreign policy investment is to bail
catch up
out the potential allies that have fallen into our lap
natural and political, is demanding their departure.
in Central America and Central Europe. We have
In Vienna
Bush's 195,000 proposal has a second effect just as
We Defend?
correctly invested $300 billion a year in defense
pernicious. It perpetuates the CFE symmetry between
as a way of securing our position in the world.
the level of American and Soviet troops. The symmetry
Why not redirect 5 percent of defense dollars into
is false morally and mischievous politically. The Soviet
"Tactics is what you do when there is some-
a $15 billion democracy fund that could be moved
And then go to the opera.
troops are occupiers. American troops are there by
thing to do. Strategy is what you do when there is
around to shore up friends in distress?
invitation of freely elected governments.
nothing to do.
Where to take the money from? Here is where
What on Earth are we doing still at the conventional
Politically the symmetry is just as noxious. The
-Chess Grandmaster Savielly Tartakower
one has to make some strategic guesses about
talks in Vienna? Negotiations continue over how
Soviet presence in East Europe is headed to zero.
There is little for the United States to do in the
the future. They are guesses. Because we don't
arms many Soviet and American troops may remain in
e is to
Therefore, as long as we keep proposing equal troop
world. Things are going our way SO splendidly
know where future threats will come from, we
Europe-in his State of the Union address, the presi-
uced at
levels for the United States and the U.S.S.R., we
abroad that wisely we dare not interfere. Accord-
might begin to reshape our defenses to conform
dent proposed yet another number, 195,000 each-at a
imply that the Soviet evacuation of Europe should be
ingly, a great hue and cry has arisen over the
with our geography. At a time when history is of
time when Europe has made it abundantly clear that it
in place
accompanied by an American evacuation.
Potomac demanding a Grand Strategy of the
little help-we have as little idea what is going
But Mos-
wants a Soviet troop level of zero.
This is a bad idea. First, because our allies want an
future, Richard Gephardt and other strategic
in full
to happen'in the next six months as we had of
The CFE (Conventional Forces in Europe) talks in
American presence. Some, like the British, are quite
thinkers are deeply dismayed that such a vision is
what has happened over the last six-geography
Moscow
Vienna have been superseded by events. When they
fearful that we may indeed be packing our bags. As in
not forthcoming from the White House.
is the best guide. We are an island continent.
21 to set
Photo Preservation
began there was a Warsaw Pact. There were satellite
Asia, the presence of American troops is almost
Great strategic visions, however, require some
and start
governments in Eastern Europe. It made sense to
universally felt by the locals to be not a threat but a
EOFFREY MOSS
clear idea of what the future is going to look like.
negotiate a reduction of the Soviet troop advantage
kind of insurance against instability.
We have no idea what the world is going to look
it a missile.
The worst thing we could
down to a level of equality with ours.
Second, a mutual Soviet and American evacuation
like next year, let alone next decade. How many
werful new
But now everything has changed. There is no:
of Europe is not a truly symmetrical act. Russia is a
states will inhabit the U.S.S.R. in the year 2000,
do is fund the past.
Warsaw Pact. By summer there may be no East
Eurasian land power. Evacuation means pulling back a
for example? Very sober Sovietologists have
single-war-
almost three
Germany. Next year there may not even be a
few hundred miles behind the Polish border. For the
offered me estimates ranging from eight to 14.
:ted. that the
Our commercial republic requires free passage
U.S.S.R. The president's new proposal seems to be
Soviets to return to Europe in a crisis means crashing
And we know from history what happens when
0 produce an
for its success. That means control of the seas,
a response to the revolution of '89, but because it
through a few toll booths at the Polish frontier. For
/ still has
you devise grand strategy on a misapprehension
the United States to return means crossing the
presenta-
of the future. Toward the end of World War II the
eads. Though
skies and space.
cannot shake the American obsession with arms
ge the balance
Congress, however, would prefer to cut bases
d be beset
control, it is in fact a step backward.
Atlantic, a 3,000-mile wide submarine lair.
to
Roosevelt administration thought that in the post-
would want to
overseas, research on space defenses, naval de-
mark such
Once again, arms control proves not just irrele-
It is true that Americans might at some point.,,
war world the United Nations would play a
as possible.
ployments (as well as a few sexy big-ticket items
powerful
central if not decisive role in international rela-
vant but counterproductive. Why, after all, are we
decide to leave Europe regardless. Fine. By all,
perating on Feb.
like the MX) and keep afloat politically popular
tions. Accordingly, at Yalta, Roosevelt bargained
legitimizing the presence of 195,000 Soviet troops The
means, let us have a debate at home and with our
Two weeks later,
military bases in the American interior that have
to draw a
away Poland in return for Stalin's acceding to
in the "Central Zone" of Eastern Europe?
allies about the appropriate level, if any, of Ameri-
rolled out on its
absolutely no military utility. At a time when the
ad saving
American demands regarding
people of that zone-Poland, Czechoslovakia, East
voting
proce-
can troops in a post-Communist Europe. But that
tried to turn on the
country is starved for new airports and prisons,
it sounds
dures in the U.N.! Sometimes it's best to wait for
Germany, Hungary-are quite clear as to how
level should be determined by Western needs, not
en the Soviets said
maintaining make-work domestic military bases
e starts
the future before trying to shape it.
many Soviet troops they want. Czechoslovakia and
by arbitrary numbers chosen to produce CFE sym-
ons.
that could otherwise be usefully employed is a
nowledg-
There are, however, some very real tactical
Hungary have officially asked the Soviets for a
missile sat at the
particularly stupid idea.
metry and State of the Union applause.
et threat
items that ought to be on the American agenda
level of zero. Lech Walesa just three weeks
ng surrounded by
True, there is no need for immediate deploy-
What to do? Declare that the CFE negotiations in
accom-
and that have been getting lost in the cries for
troop demanded the same for Poland. (Geno}
When the Soviets
ment of a space defense against the possibility of
Vienna have succeeded grandly. That we and the
lleviating
grand strategy. Our immediate tasks are three,
ago Wojciech Jaruzelski disagrees, but he is yester- the &
1) Stay in Europe. That means resisting do-
J.S. technicians got
Soviet attack. But now that even Iraq has
Soviets are now agreed in principle to reduce our
even at
nmed through the
launched a three-stage intercontinental rocket
day's man.) And in East Germany, even
forces to a ceiling of 195,000 on either side. That
ormidable
mestic isolationists and European, especially.
be turned off. Two
(and shown adeptness at chemical warfare), it
Communists have now called for German reunifi
we believe further reductions might be in order and
: law and
German, neutralists, who would have us out.
cation-and a reunified Germany, whether neutralᵇ so
, powers,
There is no need to stay in Europe at current
he path.
would be folly to slacken the pace of research for
should immediately be negotiated bilaterally be-
force levels, but leaving it entirely would be
ay be explained as
some future space defense.
or NATO, cannot be home to Soviet troops.
tween the concerned countries.
to protect
V SS-25 without
We have inherited from Britain, another island
Yet here comes the United States saying that it isn
Such a declaration would allow events to follow
tance, the
disastrous. The reunification of Germany is a
e United States
nation, the role of defender of the seas. It takes
quite prepared to see 195,000 Soviet troops in
nature. The Warsaw Pact countries would then
seismic threat to European stability. The United
States is the one Atlantic power not viscerally
iet missilery as
no great imagination to see that in the next
countries where they are not wanted.
proceed to ask the Soviets to reduce their troops to
: way, but
zero. And we could then conduct a conversation
afraid of Germany. It is also the only one that all
: new strategic
century space will play the role that the high seas
This legitimation of the Soviet presence undermines
Idn't have
have today. Forget grand strategy. Whatever the
the brave East European democrats who demand an
with ourselves and our allies as to how many
d Reagan
of Europe trusts. A strategist should always be a
immediate Soviet evacuation. They are desperate to
pessimist. The best insurance against an out-
ney has warned
shape of the world of the future, American
Americans should remain on the continent.
first run
ere Gorbachev's
destiny will be tied to its control of space and the
get rid of their Soviet occupiers now while the going is:-
f what is
We don't need a CFE treaty or formal signing
break of European instability is a continued
nited States must
seas. The very worst thing we could do would be
good, i.e., while Gorbachev is in control. They fear that
ceremony, however useful a photo opportunity it
moment
American presence on the continent.
weekend at Vot-
to fund the past, represented by redundant mili-
if they wait, some calamity might intervene and cost
offers a president. We should declare victory at
guess is
2) Keep trade open. The difference in prosperity
tary bases at home, by robbing our space and
thusiasm
them their historic opportunity for independence.
Vienna, shake hands with the Soviets, compliment
between the post-World War II and the post-
Inc.
naval forces of the future.
him, but
them on their vision and forthrightness and wish
World War I era is due in large part to the
ower and
them well in their negotiations with their Warsaw
openness of the world's trading system. The
a consen-
immediate task for the United States is to avoid a
Pact friends. Then we all go to the opera.
is no clear
trade war with Japan, regardless of how attrac-
Never will an arms control negotiation have
tive that prospect is to American politicians
ended more successfully.
e to help
hungry for a new-preferably nonwhite-enemy
the U.S.
now that the Soviets have retired from the scene,
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1990
A13
Upheaval in the East: Baker's Prediction
Arms Control
Baker Cautions Soviets
On Bidding Over Troops
Photo Copy Preservation
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Specialto The New York Times
MOSCOW. Feb. 7 - Secretary of
Speaking to reporters before his one-
State James A. Baker 3d said today
on-one meeting with the Secretary, Mr.
that he would not be surprised if the
Shevardnadze said, "The Soviet Union
Soviet President, Mikhail S. Gorba-
is living through a very interesting
chev. proposed to cut American and
period of renewal, and everybody will
'Soviet troop levels in Europe to even
be able to ascertain this soon."
deeper levels than those suggested last
Baker aídes said that given the rau-
"week by President Bush.
cuos nature of the Communist Party
Mr. Baker, in what appeared to be a
talks, they had no idea how well the
"signal to the Soviets, made clear that
Soviet leadership would be able to
Vashington was not inviting such a
focus on the substance of the Secre-
proposal and, in fact, would find it most
tary's visit, which will include discus-
unwelcome, because the Bush Admin-
sions about German unification, new
istration does not want to slash its
American ideas for resolving the Af-
troop levels more deeply at this time.
ghan conflict and ways to advance the
the same time that Mr. Baker was
conventional arms talks in Vienna.
cantioning Moscow not to start a bid-
Speaking to reporters on the flight
ding war over troop cuts in Europe, the
into Moscow, Mr. Baker said he antici-
"Seviet Government newspaper Izves-
pated an answer from the Soviet lead-
ditih was warning the Secretary of State
ership to President Bush's proposal,
sinet to try to take advantage of Mr. Gor-
made in his State of the Union address
bachev at this time of tremendous do-
on Jan. 31, that the United States and
mestic turmoil in the Soviet Union.
the Soviet Union reduce their troop
The Secretary of State flew into Mos-
levels in Central Europe to 195,000 men
CGW today from Prague for three days
each - which would be a cut of about
of talks with Foreign Minister Eduard
60,000 men for the United States and
Shevardnadze and President Gorba-
370,000 for the Soviet Union.
efiev. The meetings were scheduled
Celling for Soviet Union
ewo months ago, after President Bush
and Mr. Gorbachev agreed at Malta to
Brent Scowcroft, President Bush's
brinspeed up the negotiations for comple-
national security adviser, said at a
Secretary of State James A. Baker 3d, left, said it would not surprise
those suggested by President Bush. Mr. Baker and Foreign Minister
#Pon of a treaty limiting long-range nu-
NATO defense meeting in Munich on
him if the Soviet Union sought troop cutbacks in Europe greater than
Eduard A. Shevardnadze began three days of talks in Moscow.
clear missiles so that it might be
Saturday that Washington viewed the
signed by the time of their next summit
195,000 figure as a ceiling for the Soviet
Union and a floor for the United States.
meeting in June.
Asked if Mr. Gorbachev might try to
Arrives at End of Party Talks
outbid Mr. Bush and press for even
Czechoslovakia
Mr. Baker, however, found his ar-
lower mutual reductions, especially
rival coinciding with the close of a criti-
since Poland, Hungary and Czechoslo-
cal gathering of the Communist Party
vakia have indicated that they want
leadership, which has decided to give
Soviet troops out now, Mr. Baker said:
Prague Reclaiming Its Position at Center of Europe
2ND its monopoly on power. Mr. She-
"I don't know what the Soviets might
vardnadze had to leave the meeting
or might not have in mind. I would only
say that 1 should not be, and will not be,
By HENRY KAMM
has called the "velvet revolution, a
How Vaclav Havel and other
ended a working visit to Switzerland
while it was still in progress to greet
and was continuing his series of talks
Mr. Baker and go over the agenda for
surprised if we see such a proposal.
Special to The New York Times
phrase borrowed by Mr. Baker in his
Czechoslovak writers have viewed
speech at Charles University. The goal
the role of literature in an authoritar-
with Western Government ministers
their talks, which will begin in earnest
That is not to say that we are inviting
PRAGUE, Feb. 7 - For Foreign
on Thursday.
one in any way.
Minister Jiri Dienstbier and other,
is to return this Slavic nation of dis-
lan society. The Arts, page C17.
and bankers in West Germany.
Mr. Baker continued, "We think that
Czechoslovak officials seeing off Secre-
tinctly Western civilization and culture
Two major ambassadorial appoint-
the President's proposal is the right
tary of State James A. Baker 3d at the
to its central position in Europe, open
hope, and will do our best to see to it,
ments of recent days are further sig-
one - that it stands on its own two feet
to East and West.
airport today, the visit was a signifi-
that the time of merely formal, superfi-
nals of the sharp turn in Prague's inter-
NATO Chief Says
and represents what should be the
cant success not only for the material
"First of all, the visit ended a long
cial contacts without contents is over."
national stance.
state of play at this time."
assistance Mr. Baker offered.
period of frozen, nearly nonexistent
Mr. Vanicek said that in line with
Rita Klimova, a dissident economist
Together with President Vaclav
contact between America and Czecho-
He Accepted Cuts
Czechoslovakia's policy of ending isola-
who spent seven years in the United
Asked to explain why the Adminis-
tration would not invite deeper cuts on
Havel's trip to the United States begin-
slovakia,' said Zdenek Vanicek, politi-
tion from countries not in the Eastern
States as a Jewish refugee from the
both sides, Mr. Baker said: "Well, be-
ning Feb. 20, Mr. Baker's 26 hours here
cal director of the Foreign Ministry de-
bloc, Foreign Minister Moshe Arens of
German occupation regime, has been
On Bush's Urging
cause we have just made a proposal of
represented a major step toward a
partment dealing with the United
Israel was due here on Thursday to es-
named Ambassador to Washington.
our own which we think is the correct
principal objective in what Mr. Havel
States and other Western nations. 'We
tablish full diplomatic ties. Before
The appointment of Rudolf Slansky,
proposal and it is not up to us to go to
Prague severed ties during the Arab-
also a dissident, as Ambassador to the
the Soviet Union inviting amendments
Israeli war of 1967, the two nations did
Soviet Union will soon be announced:
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
not have relations at the ambassa-
Mr. Slansky is the son and namesake of
Special to The New York Times
to the President's proposal."
dorial level.
the former general secretary of the
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 - The com-
Mr. Baker's remarks would seem to
have a personal, political and strategic
Czechoslovakia will be the second
Communist Party who was hanged as a
mander of NATO forces in Europe told
dimension. Personally, the last time he
formerly Communist nation to normal-
"bourgeois Jewish nationalist" in 1952
Congress today that he had recom-
visited Moscow in May 1989, Mr. Gor-
ize relations with Israel. Hungary did
after a Soviet-inspired show trial.
mmmended against President Bush' pro-
compusal 10 cut American and Soviet
bachev appeared to catch him off
so last year.
props in central Europe to 195,000. but
guard by proposing a unilateral with-
Ties With Vatican Improve
later persuaded that such 3
drawal of 500 nuclear weapons from
Havel to Address Congress
Mr. Vanicek said Czechoslovakia
our own which me -
31 20032
proposal and it is not up to us to go to
Prague severed ties during the Arab-
also a dissident, as Ambassador to the
brie 21.6'
ogo TCC
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
the Soviet Union inviting amendments
Israeli war of 1967, the two nations did
Soviet Union will soon be announced.-
not have relations at the ambassa-
Mr. Slansky is the son and namesake of
III bells
Specialto The New York Times
to the President's proposal."
Mr. Baker's remarks would seem to
dorial level.
the former general secretary of the
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 - The com-
insormander of NATO forces in Europe told
have a personal, political and strategic
Czechoslovakia will be the second
Communist Party who was hanged
formerly Communist nation to normal-
'bourgeols Jewish nationalist' in 1952
ns 21 Eongress today that he had recom-
dimension. Personally, the last time he
ize relations with Israel. Hungary did
after a Soviet-inspired show trial.
to olderanded against President Bush's pro-
visited Moscow in May 1989, Mr. Gor-
ansinDosal American and Soviet
bachev appeared to catch. him off
so last year.
in central-Europe to 195,000, but
guard by proposing a unilateral with-
Ties With Vatican Improve
Havel to Address Congress
of jddiad,been later persuaded that such a
drawal of 500 nuclear weapons from
Mr. Vanicek said Czechoslovakia
cut was acceptable.
Eastern Europe and by making a far-
also was pleased by a rapid improve-
WASHINGTON Feb. 7 (Reuters) -
don't think it is talking out of
reaching conventional arms reduction
ment in its notoriously bad relations
President Havel is to address a joint,
697659hool to say that my recommenda-
offer.
with the Vatican. In a sign of the Im-
meeting of Congress on Feb. 21 during
-IA stions were higher," Gen. John R. Gal-
Mr. Baker found himself showered
provement after decades of repression
his trip to the United States, Speaker of
6 NATO's Supreme Allied Com-
with articles depleting him as novice
of the Roman Catholic Church here, the
the House Thomas S. Foley and the
who was outmaneuvered and taken by
Senate Democratic leader, George J.
-bc organder, told the Senate Armed Serv-
Rev. Roberto Tucci, a senior Vatican
-X26 aces Committee.
surprise by Mr. Gorbachev. He and his
official, arrived in Prague on the same
Mitchell, said today. In November. the
-10 nuovin announcing Mr. Bush's troop-cut
staff have made it clear that there is
day as Mr. Baker to organize an April
Polish Solidarity leader, Lech Walesa,
-olasRroposal, the White House said the plan
virtually nothing the Soviet leader
visit by Pope John Paul II.
addressed a joint meeting of Congress
was the product of thorough consulta-
could propose this time around that
Mr. Vanicek disclosed that the Gov-
and received an ecstatic reception.
liquidian among senior American leaders
they have not anticipated, including
ernment had informed Mr. Baker that
to no89d within NATO, giving no hint of
further troop cuts.
it was removing a long-festering irrl-
Politically, the Bush Administration
Soviets Ask Czechs
on the part of American
tant in relations with the United States.
nachmilitary officials.
is in the middle of a campaign to stop
On May 6, Mr. Baker was told, celebra-
orit sciBut a Pentagon official, who asked
the Democrat-dominated Congress
tions will be held in the industrial city
To Extend the Time
to be identified, said the proposal
from slashing the proposed defense
of Pilsen and elsewhere to mark the
was devised by a small group of offi-
budget for fiscal 1991. Any headline-
45th anniversary of the liberation of
Photo Copy Preservation
cials and that General Galvin was con-
grabbing proposal by Mr. Gorbachev
western Bohemia by the United States
To Pull Out Troops
sulted very late in the process.
would only add to the arguments of
Army.
General Galvin told reporters after
those favoring spending less on de-
To maintain a fiction that only the
testifying before the Senate Armed
fense.
Soviet Union had freed Czechoslovakia
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 (Reuters) - The
Soviet Union told Czechoslovakia today
Services Committee that he was con-
Seen as a Minimum
from German occupation, the Commu-
that ft needed more time to withdraw
sulted by Gen. Colin L. Powell, the
nists since they seized power in 1948
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
Strategically, the Bush Administra-
had forbidden such tributes to the
the 75,000 Soviet troops in in that coun-
"days" before President Bush's State
tion is convinced that 195,000 men is the
United States and removed plaques of
try, East European diplomats said.
minimum number of troops the United
They said the Soviet side made its
the Union speech announcing the
gratitude that had been mounted in
States needs in Europe at this time,
stand clear when a second round of
troop-cut proposal.
various places. Many have been hidden
Even though his recommendation for
both to deter any potential threat that
talks on the withdrawal issue opened in
by citizens and are to be replaced.
higher troop levels were rejected, Gen-
could arise from an increasingly unsta-
Moscow between delegations headed
The urgency that Czechoslovakia at-
709 eral Galvin said that he was pleased by
ble Soviet Union and in order to reas-
by deputy foreign ministers of the two
taches to creating normal relations
countries.
isior Mr. Bush's proposal. He had been per-
sure America's allies that Washington
with the West was put into sharp focus
is not abandoning them just at the mo-
In a first round of talks in Prague
Csuaded, he said, by General Powell that
for Mr. Baker as he arrived here Tues:
-lim ht "had not given enough credit to the
ment when a resurgent, reunfied Ger-
last month, Czechoslovakia's new Gov-
day morning. His official host, Mr.
many appears to be a real possibility in
ernment told Soviet negotiators it
dellesituation that would exist when the
Dienstbier, was not at the airport to
you Soviet Union moved forces out of East-
the heart of the Continent.
wanted the troops, which have been in
But if Mr. Baker is worried about
welcome him but was himself arriving
the country since the Warsaw Pact in-
UNITED Europe as a result of various ar-
in Stockholm for day's visit to restore
being upstaged by Mr. Gorbachev, it
vasion of 1968, to leave this year.
rangements with the Warsaw Pact,'
good relations. Until the overthrow of
appears the Soviet leaders are no less
Czechoslovak officials say they have
6 not referring to the call by leaders in
the Communist regime here, Sweden
Hungary and Poland
worried-about what the :Americans
no doubt the Soviet leadership has
might be carrying in their-briefcases.
took a hard line against Czechoslova-
made the political decision to withdraw
26d for the withdrawal of Soviet troops.
Aleksandr Bovin, a prominent Soviet
kia to protest its persecution and im-
and bGeneral Galvin said in his testimony
the troops.
political commentator, wrote today in
prisonment of dissidents like Mr. Havel
-basithat implementating Mr. Bush's pro-
Associated Press
and Mr. Dienstbier.
But according to the East European
vd loposal would lead to the closing of 50
Izvestia that the Americans, are well
aware that the transformation in the
History for Sale in Berlin
Next week, the Foreign Minister will
diplomats, Moscow argues that it
installations in Europe. He
visit New York as guest of the Council
needs more time to provide housing
after said a reduction to 195,000 troops
east of Europe, and conflicts and diffi-
A street vendor in West Berlin near the Brandenburg Gate selling uni-
culties within the U.S.S.R., weaken the
on Foreign Relations.
and social services for the returning
would lead NATO to put emphasis on
positions and narrow the room
for
forms and decorations of the East German Army to passers- by He also
It was also announced today that Fi-
officers and men and their families,
highly maneuverable units to carry out
offered pieces of the Berlin wall.
nance Minister Vaclav Klaus had'
whose numbers will be swollen by
srts rebate defense plans.
maneuver of the Soviet leadership:
others to be withdrawn from Hungary.
even
Czechoslovak officials declined to
02/6
comment on the first day of the talks,
Jaum but
odt ".mail State Dept. Dismisses Besieged Envoy, Telling Him He Is a Security Risk
but one Czechoslovak source indicated
Prague's Deputy Foreign Minister,
Evzen Vacek, was insisting the one-
bewolls
year timetable be observed.
16df time
Continued From Page Al
short of filing criminal charges, which
Selin, ordered the dismissal in the last
whose European movements were
"That is the Czechoslovak stand and
the available evidence does not sup-
The department
few days.
being followed.
there seems to be no reason to change
aid bris
port, law enforcement officials say.
If Mr. Bloch is dismissed next month,
Mr. Bloch was immediately placed
it," the source said. The Soviet Union
is losing time by delaying a decision to
would then have the option of taking
For the State Department, Mr.
removes Felix
the State Department would consider
under heavy Federal surveillance, and
V6W4H matter to Federal court. It was un-
Bloch's dismissal was also dictated
taking action under another law to re-
his automobile and telephone were
start the withdrawal.'
bica -97 10 clear today what Mr. Bloch would do.
financial considerations. Officials
wiretapped. Government officials said
The Czechoslovak sources said they
noted that Mr. Bloch receives an
Bloch from its
duce or eliminate his pension, the Ad-
ministration official said.
the automobile wiretap later recorded
feared public feeling over the with-
airfT Bloch's lawyer, John M. Bray, said
$80,000-a-year salary for a job he, is
Mr. Bloch telling his wife, Lucille, that
drawal issue could be increased after
Mr. Bloch was the second-ranking
bris vis client had no comment. Mr. Bloch
barred from performing.
payroll.
American diplomat in Vienna during
he had accepted money from the Soviet
the explosion by Soviet forces of an am-
-ri sadid, not answer the telephone at his
much of the Reagan Administration. In
Union.
munition dump in the southeast Tues-
101 bdome near downtown Washington
An Eerle Composure
that job, he effectively ran day-to-day
Numerous press and television re-
day, causing a forest fire.
Through it all, the balding, year-
embassy affairs in a city that is a cen-
Prague's Defense Ministry said the
said today that the State Department
ports said the inquiry also turned up
-97 vilei
Trail Growing Cold
old bureaucrat has maintained an eerie
had not previously used the law, and
ter for sensitive arms negotiations and
Soviet action was a violation of regula-
evidence that Mr. Bloch had. spent
composure, repeatedly declining op-
tions.
Issoqc The State Department and the Fed-
portunities to deny that he was a Soviet
that its last known use, in 1983, was by
other strategic matters.
large sums of money, well beyond the
ti 100% Bureau of Investigation said today
spy and challenging Federal investiga-
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
normal means of a mid-level diplomat,
VO bathat the inquiry into allegations of es-
Charges Go Back to 70's
State Department lawyers have been
for the services of a prostitute during
A Freudian Dream Come True
-moob by Mr. Bloch remains active.
tors to find enough evidence to prove
studying the agency's options under
Since 1988, he had worked in a Wash-
much of his stay in Vienna.
otherwise.
Government officials have conceded,
Ington office that deals with European
PRIBOR, Czechoslovakia, Feb. 7
A State Department spokesman,
the law since at least last autumn, an
The Soviet agent appears to have
Administration official said today.
economic relations and restrictions on
(Reuters) - A square in Pribor that
however, that they so far lack the evi-
Richard Boucher, today refused to de-
cryptically told Mr. Bloch in a tele-
once honored Stalin is to be renamed
venT to make a court case against
the export of technology to the old
scribe the specific allegations of
phone conversation last May that he
after the Czechoslovak town's most fa-
wrongdoing that led to the decision to
'A Complicated Issue'
Soviet bloc nations.
ngis their target and that his trail grows
was under surveillance by the F.B.I.
mous son, Sigmund Freud. The state
each day.
dismiss Mr. Bloch, saying those
"It's a pretty complicated legal issue
American officials have said they be-
Shortly after the tip, the State Depart-
press agency said an opinion poll in the
liazoq Federal officials said they were not
charges are confidential under Federal
because it involves balancing the na-
lieve that Mr. Bloch began spying for
ment suspended Mr. Bloch, took away
north Moravian town showed most of
myradismissing Mr. Bloch in the hope that
privacy laws. He said the agency had
tional security and due process," the
Moscow in the 1970's, when he was an
his diplomatic passport and barred
its inhabitants wanted Stalin Square to
01 >ashe move would produce additional evi-
notified the Justice Department and
official said. "We do feel like we moved
officer at American embassies in West
him from the agency's headquarters.
be named after the founder of psychoa-
a of wrongdoing through adminis-
Congress of its decision.
promptly in terms of the work that had
and East Berlin. But officials said he
Last July, reporters detected the
nalysis. Freud, born in Pribor in 1856,
instrative hearings, court battles, or other
The Federal law covering Mr.
to be done, but cautiously.
came under scrutiny by the Federal
heavy surveillance, and a horde of
moved to Vienna where he pioneered
descrips he might take to contest the ac-
Bloch's case allows the removal of em-
Mr. Baker decided last week to in-
Bureau of Investigation only last
writers and photographers joined Fed-
analysis of the subconscious mind. He
PM Glion. Dismissal is the strongest action
ployees "in the interests of national se-
voke the Federal law, and the agency's
spring, when he turned up in a secret
eral agents in a round-the-clock siege
fled when Hitler annexed Austria in
no taken against Mr Bloch
curity An Administration official
under secretary for management. Ivan
videotape of a known Soviet agent
of Mr. Bloch's home.
1938. He died in London in 1939.
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1990
A12
Upheaval in the East: Bush's Wariness
History
The President
Earlier Viewson the Party
Striking a Defensive Tone,
LENIN
A Victory for a Faction
0th party congress; 1921
Bush Sees Virtue in Caution
Our party is the
governmental party, and the
Silenced 70 Years Ago
Photo Copy Preservation
resolution which the party
congress adopts will be
By CONSTANCE L. HAYS
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
obligatory for the entire
Special to The New York Times
republic.
On a visit to the United States in 1959,
temporary political figure to consult
the Soviet party leader, Nikita S. Khru-
about the Mensheviks' ideals. "When
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. Deliber-
tion and its impact on the military bal-
shchev, was asked about the Menshe-
talk. to my Soviet colleagues, most of
ately avoiding any comment on the
ance.
viks, the minority faction of Russian
them have no idea what the Menshe-
events in the Soviet Union, President
"Every morning, I receive an intelli-
revolutionaries who broke with Lenin
viks were saying," Professor Brovkin
Bush struck a remarkably defensive
gence briefing, and I receive the best
information available to any world
largely because they thought the new
said. "It's a remarkable example of
tone toward his policy on Eastern Eu-
leader today,' Mr. Bush said in his
order they were plotting should counte-
how the memory was manipulated and
rope today, saying "the world is mov-
nance other parties and some demo-
the entire political history of Soviet
ing too fast" for him to know what will
speech. "And yet, the morning news is
cratic dissent.
Russia was wiped out."
happen next and make firm decisions
often overtaken by the news that very
MOLOTOV
"Mensheviks? They' like the buffa-
Walter Sablinsky, an associate pro-
about how to respond.
same evening."
"The world is moving too fast to fore-
Oth party congress 1921
10," the Soviet leader said, referring to
fessor of Russian history at the Univer-
"We must not let impatience born of
a species herthought extinct.
sity of Virginia, said the Mensheviks
euphoria jeopardize all we hope to
cast with absolute certainty what will
Liquidation of petit
Indeed, after the split in 1903, mem-
would have approved of the latest
achieve," Mr. Bush said in a speech
happen next," he said.
bourgeois parties was one of
bers of this group were gradually
changes in Moscow. "This is exactly
here. He traced his own world view
As outlined in the speech, Mr. Bush's
vision of his role in what he likes to call
the basic conditions of
pushed from revolutionary circles, and
what they wanted," he said. "They did
from the policy of containment and the
socialist construction
after Lenin and the Bolsheviks pre-
not have the kind of party Lenin did.
"realism born of bloody experience"
"the revolution of '89'' is not as a
that he said framed the policies of
their roots reach down to the
vailed they were sent into exile. The
Lenin wanted a party subordinate to
leader of the charge, but a custodian
Presidents "from Harry Truman to
bourgeois classes of the
last known Menshevik, Boris Sapir,
one person."
tasked with holding together the old
died late last year in Amsterdam. And
When the Mensheviks became the
Ronald Reagan."
mechanisms of international security
country, and with the those
the role of these people has been ex-
opposition party and began gaining on
"We are taking the first steps across
until a new order clearly emerges.
roots they become involved
punged from Soviet history books for
the Bolsheviks, they were outlawed
a bridge begun by others long ago, and
Better Cautious Than Reckless
with the ruling classes who
decades.
Professor Sablinsky said.
it is a bridge that can lead us from
Our challenge is to manage this
dominated in the past.
But the three-day debate just com-
"Certainly the Mensheviks: could
seemingly endless conflict to the prom-
period of transition from the world of
pleted by the Central Committee in
have worked within the system now,'
ise of a lasting peace," Mr. Bush said.
Moscow had uncanny echoes of the ar-
he said. "They would have been reha-
"But no matter how great the promise,
today to the world of tomorrow," he
we must be certain the bridge is se-
said. "When it comes to the security of
gument between the Mensheviks and
bilitated."
this country I would rather be called
STALIN
Bolsheviks over how much democracy
Still, some scholars say there are dis-
cure."
From his writings in 926
Communists can accept.
tinct differences between what Mr.
the speech to the Commonwealth
cautious than I would be called reck-
Gorbachev has defined and what the
Club, a civic organization, Mr. Bush
less."
A Minority Was Silenced
'In our country not a single
Mensheviks believed.
103
Mr. Bush added: "The President of
The Mensheviks their name
"In a way, Gorbachev is way ahead
the United States is the Commander in
important political or
means minority, while Bolshevik
of them in terms of being unideological
Chief, bound by the Constitution to de-
organizational question
means majority - came into being
in the rhetoric he uses,' said Alexan
'I would rather be
fend and protect the United States of
decided by our Soviet and
after 1903 as the faction opposite Lenin
der Dallin, a professor of history at
America. Now, some would have me
other mass organizations
in the Russian Social Democratic
Stanford University whose father
called cautious
predicate the defense of our people on
without guiding directions
Labor Party. They cooperated with the
David, was a leading Menshevik. "In
promising, but as yet unfulfilled, hopes
for the future."
from the party.
Bolsheviks during the unsuccessful
1918. they thought they were good
1905 revolution, but Bolshevik efforts to
Marxists. Gorbachev has been able to
than I would be
He paused and said, "I will not do
wrest party control away from them
depart from that.
that.
strained relations between the two
called reckless.
The tentative, sometimes even hesi-
groups.
tant, nature of Mr. Bush's comments
After the Bolsheviks seized power in
Albanian-Americans
was perhaps most evident in his han-
1917, the Mensheviks tried to function
dling of the Communist Party Central
as the legal opposition. But they were
sought to rebut critics who have sug-
Committee meeting in Moscow that to-
BREZHNEV
outlawed in 1922. Many party members
Rally at White House
gested that his Administration has
day endorsed President Mikhail S. Gor-
November 1967, the 50th
fled the Soviet Union, but others re-
been a mere onlooker as the events the
bachev's proposal to end the party's
mained to work in Soviet institutions.
United States has sought for four dec-
constitutional monopoly on power. At
anniversary of the Bolshevik
Special to The New York Times
'Everything they argued for in 1919
ades unfold in Eastern Europe.
first, White House officials said Mr.
revolution
is finally being debated today,' said
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 A group of
The Avalanche of Headlines
Bush would comment on the dramatic
events in his speech, but the President
We do not and cannot have
Vladimir N. Brovkin, a scholar special-
Albanian-Americans began three days
But his remarks were shot through
izing in Menshevism at the George F.
of demonstrations today in front of the
with the sense of a President who has
later decided to omit any reference to
any political organization
Kennan Institute for Advanced Rus-
White House urging the Bush Adminis
the Moscow meeting, alluding only to
other than the Ulthat
sian Studies in Washington. "They
tration to ask the Government of Yugo
found himself under siege as each
"the march of freedom and democracy
would take into account the
were destroyed, but their ideals live on.
slavia to stop the killing of ethnic Alba
day's headlines threaten to outstrip not
only longstanding policy, but even the
in Eastern Europe, even in the Soviet
Interests and specific
If start reading to you their program
nians in the Kosovo region.
arms control proposals and political
Union itself."
features of the classes and
of 1919, you would think it was written
According to reports from Yugosla
Asked why Mr. Bush would not men-
in Moscow last week.'
via, 29 ethnic Albanians have beer
initiatives that the White House has
tion this week's events in a speech that
social groups in our country
killed in the last two weeks in clashes in
been struggling to produce to keep
of all nations and
Yuli Martov, a Menshevik leader be-
discusses the history of Soviet-Amer-
pace with events in Europe.
ican relations in great detail, the White
nationalities, and of all
fore World War I, described the
Kosovo between ethnic Albanians and
Yugoslav security forces. A year ago
In a sign of the urgency of those
generations, and that would
group's position on pluralism when he
events, the White House announced to-
House spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater,
28 ethnic Albanians were killed
in
wrote SOOR after the split, "As before.
said the President wanted "to be care-
combine these Interests in its
Kosovo in similar clashes.
day that Mr. Bush would meet this
the Central Committee regards the
ful not to involve ourselves in the inter-
Ethnic Albanians make up 90 percent
weekend at Camp David with Manfred
policy.'
people's sovereignty, unlimited democ-
nal affairs of the Soviet Union.'
Wörner, secretary general of NATO,
racy, as the only political form in which
of the population of Kosovo, which is an
autonomous province in the republic 0
and on Feb. 24-25 with the West Ger-
Avoiding 'Dumb Things'
GORBACHEV
the social emancipation of the prole-
Serbia. Since 1981, the ethnic Albanians
man Chancellor, Helmut Kohl. Mr.
Asked by a member of the audience
tariat can be prepared and realized.'
how the United States could help Mr.
Party meeting, Sept. 28
have been demanding either a separate
Kohl and the West German Foreign
On Monday, the Soviet President, Mi-
cold.
in
republic in Yugoslavia or the right to
and on Feb. 24-25 with the West Ger-
Avoiding "Dumb Things'
racy, as the only political form in which
of the population of Kosovo, which is an
man Chancellor, Helmut Kohl. Mr.
GORBACHEV
the social emancipation of the prole-
autonomous province in the republic of
Asked by a member of the audience
tariat can be prepared and realized."
Serbia. Since 1981, the ethnic Albanians
Kohl and the West German Foreign
how the United States could help Mr.
Party meeting 28
On Monday, the Soviet President, Mi-
have been demanding either a separate
Minister, Han-Dietrich Genscher, are
Gorbachev's efforts to reform his coun-
1989
khall S. Gorbachev, said: The party in
republic in Yugoslavia or the right to
traveling to Moscow this weekend to
try, Mr. Bush said, "I think we can
reassure Soviet leaders about the ac-
a renewing society can exist and play
join neighboring Albania.
avoid doing dumb things.
The party was and remains
its role as vanguard only as a demo-
The demonstrators in Lafayette
celerating pace of German reunifica-
"The last thing I think any U.S. citi-
the main organizing and
cratically recognized force.
Park, mostly from the Detroit area,
zen needs to do when you have the Cen-
coordinating force capable of
The Communist Party, Mr. Gorba-
gathered under the auspices of the Al-
tral Committee meeting is to try to
leading the people along the
chev added, "intends to struggle for the
banian-American National Council, a
fine-tune it from San Francisco or from
path of In-depth socialist
status of the ruling party, but it will do
recently formed group, which also ad-
Washington," he said. "If want to be
changes of playing an
so strictly within the framework of the
dressed a letter to President Bush ask-
very careful about picking winners or
democratic process by giving up any
ing him "to use the prestige of your of-
losers or saying how they should do
Integrating and rallying role
society and;let us be blunt
legal and political advantages, offering
fice to stave off Impending catasto-
things."
its program and defending it in discus-
phe.
Outlining his national security policy,
about it, of proventing and
sions, cooperating with other social and
Djok Martini, head of the council,
Mr. Bush hotly criticized Democrats in
fundesirable, dramatic fum of
political forces, always working among
said, "We are here for the salvation of
Congress who advocate deeper. reduc-
avents
the masses, living by their interests
our people.' The handful of demonstra-
tions than he has proposed in American
and their needs.'
tors, carrying Albanian and American
troops in Western Europe. America's
allies, Mr. Bush said, "don't want to see
There is virtually no historical
flags, shouted slogans denouncing the
Photo Copy Preservation
President of Serbia, Slobodan Milosev-
the United States pull. back ínto what
record in the Soviet Union for a con-
The New York
Ic, as "a madman,
57
would be perceived worldwide as some
Inz
kind of neo-isolationist decoupling.'
Mr. Bush reaffirmed his commit-
ment to the "Star Wars" program to
China
801
develop a space-based anti-missile
1-2
shield.
!we
He spoke of "new threats" that go
"beyond the traditional East-West an-
Chinese Press Is Silent on Gorbachev Plans to End Party Monopoly at
tagonism of the past 45 years," includ-
ing "Libyan and Iranian terrorism"
and "the narco-gangsters, already a
threat to our national health and
By SHERYL WuDUNN
A solemn-faced newscaster, against
openness in China's political system.
the document said.
spirit."
Special to York Times
a stark-gray background, read the long
Along with the absence of any news re-
China has eight tiny democratic par-
Mr. Bush offered a strong defense of
text of a Communist Party document
porting about events in Moscow, the
ties, whose combined members' total
the Pentagon's proposal to consider
BEIJING, Feb. 7 - Chinese readers
issued internally on Dec. 30 that
timing of the document's release also
about 300,000, compared with the Com-
closing dozens of military bases
discovered today that a Soviet organi-
zation had awarded a medal to a fa-
praised China's multiparty coopera-
seemed to indicate a concern over the
munist Party's membership of 48 mil-
around the country, an idea that has
tion, as it is known here, and called for
situation in the Soviet Union. News
lion. Although those parties: relish
touched off a political storm in Con-
mous Chinese writer for fostering cul-
democratic party members to assume
about Eastern Europe been se-
greater influence, they disavow any
tural relations, but they did not learn a
gress.
more leading posts in the Government.
lectively reported.
thought of competing with the Commu-
word about President Mikhail S. Gor-
Criticism of Congress
Late tonight, the official New China
"The system of multiparty coopera-
nists.
bachev's plan to abolish the Commu-
News Agency issued a summary of an
tion under the leadership of the Com-
Communist leaders have called for a
"I ask the Congress to join me in a
nist Party's monopoly on power in the
Soviet Union.
editorial comment on the document
munist Party as practiced in China is a
greater role for democratic parties,
spirit of fairness,' he said. "Long-
that will appear in People's Daily on
characteristic and strong point of the
but the increase in influence, if any, has
standing critics of defense spending
The official Chinese-language press
Thursday. The editorial calls on Com-
country's political system," the docu-
been significantly limited, and such
should not turn around and block the
has also been silent on recent news
munist Party members to carefully
ment said, according to a paraphrase
parties have no real power. The lead-
closing of a base in their home district.
about demonstrations in Moscow for a
multiparty system, and the closest that
study the document, which it says was
by the New China News Agency.
ers envision continued firm control by
There is something a little ironic about
the result of a combined effort between
The document, however, was cau-
the Communist Party, with the friendly
certain members of Congress whose
Chinese leaders came to hinting that
the Communist and democratic par-
tious about any similarities that might
assistance of other political parties.
philosophy seems to be 'make deep
there was great change next door was
be drawn between China' political sys-
Caution Toward Gorbachev"
cuts, but cut somewhere else.
an announcement on television tonight
ties.
President Bush holding model
tem and those of other countries. "It is
Mr. Bush was asked by a member of
about efforts by Chinese leaders to im-
The release of the internal document,
The document pointed out that the
of a satellite given to him yester-
fundamentally different from the mul-
his audience why he felt it necessary to
prove China's system of "multiparty
which may not originally have been In-
democratic parties are not only under
tiparty system or bipartisan system in
day as he toured the Lawrence
hold a four-nation conference on drug
cooperation," involving several very
tended for publication at this time, ap-
Communist Party leadership, but also
the Western capitalist countries, and
Livermore National Laboratory
trafficking in Colombia on Feb. 15, de-
small parties that are under the leader-
peared to be an indirect attempt by
are "in favor of socialism" and must
also differs from the one-party system
in Livermore, Calif.
spite concerns about security.
ship of the Communist Party,
Chinese leaders to highlight a relative
work "for the cause. of socialism.'
practiced in some socialist countries,"
Political parties that "endanger the
state power are absolutely not allowed
to exist," the document said.
Chinese officials privately admit that
Trade
the leadership has indicated a cautious
attitude toward Mr. Gorbachev and his
changes.
Negotiations Are to Begin on Ending Restrictions Against Soviet Imports
"We can't condemn him right away,
but we can't support him either said
a Chinese official who was aware of re-
cent events in the Soviet Union: "This
those within the Administration who
By CLYDE H. FARNSWORTH
adopted since the 1930's
stressed, the United States hopes to
Vanik curbs, which Congress wrote
news must be spread very slowly and
Special to The New York Times
"encourage economic reform" within
into the Trade Act of 1974. The linkage
really want to limit consultations with
American trade officials said the
carefully. Otherwise it might cause in-
United States would also have some de-
the Soviet Union as it moves toward a
to Soviet emigration policies caused
this committee or Congress" and "I
WASHINGTON, Feb. - The first
mands, seeking commitments by the
more market-driven economy.
Moscow in early 1975 to abort that
want to see the consultation require-
stability, and that would not be good for
China.
round of talks on a trade agreement
that could end nearly a half-century of
Soviets on protection of patents, copy-
A. successful agreement) she also
trade pact; which had been under ne-
ment lived up to.
Mrs. Hills insisted that "there is no
Although China has not officially re-
rights and other intellectual property,
noted, will "create opportunities" for
gotiation for two years.
American discrimination against
mechanics for settling commercial dis-
American business in the Soviet Union.
Under Jackson-Vanik, tariffs on Im-
question in my mind that this Adminis-
ported on Mr. Gorbachev's proposal,
Chinese officials have learned about it
Soviet imports will start on Monday in
Congressional sensitivity fover con-
ports from the Soviet Union are as
tration wants to consult."
Washington, the United States trade
putes; safeguards for preventing
One problem is how the Congress is
through internal documents issued by
tents of the agreement and the process
representative, Carla A. Hills, an-
surges of cheap imports, and the right
much as 10 times higher than they
to have offices for American represent-
would be from most other countries.
going to review the trade agreement
the Chinese Government. Those docu-
by which Congress will review it was
nounced today.
following the se-called Chadha decision
ments disclosed the text in translation
atives in the Soviet Union.
evidenced by particularly close ques-
For American consumers, ending the
Both Governments hope to conclude
Mrs. Hills announced the talks dur-
tioning of Mrs. Hills by Senator Lloyd
curbs would mean, for example, $1.25
of the Supreme Court in 1983, which de-
of Mr. Gorbachev's speech on the open-
off the retail price of a bottle of vodka,
clared a legislative veto illegal.
ing day of the session of the party's
the talks before President Bush meets
ing testimony on trade matters before
Bentsen, Democrat of Texas and chair-
which is one of the big Soviet exports to
Under Jackson-Vanik, approval of a
Central Committee on Monday. They
with President Mikhail S. Gorbachev of
the Senate Foreign Relations Commit-
man of the Senate Finance Committee.
Noting the importance of maintain-
trade agreement that restores most fa-
also included translations of foreign
the Soviet Union in June.
tee. She said Yurly N. Chumakov, a
the United States.
Soviet deputy foreign trade minister,
ing close consultations with Congress,
vored nation treatment would require
news reports and analyses of the situa-
Moscow would like an end to the re-
The United States is considering
a concurrent resolution an act of
tion in the Soviet Union and the possi-
he said that if the Nixon Administra-
strictions under the law
would lead the Soviet delegation.
granting waivers on im-
ports from Czechoslovakia, Romania;
Congress that is not signed by the
bility that Mr. Gorbachev would resign.
Mrs. Hills said she intended to keep
tion had kept Congress better informed
of 1974, which prevents the Soviet
President. The resolution would be sub-
Ordinary Chinese, without access to
pressure on Japan, South Korea and
in the early 1970's while it was negoti-
Union from receiving most favored na-
Bulgaria and East Germany. Hungary
other trading partners to open markets
ating a trade agreement with Moscow,
ject to the approval of the Senate and
such documents, also may learn about
tion status, or normal tariff treatment
recently obtained a waiver. The curbs
the House.
events in the Soviet Union by listening
to American exports, but apart from
the Bush Administration would not now
against Poland were lifted in 1987.
have to deal with the existing limita-
Senator Bentsen, the 1988 Demo-
But under Chadha, lawyers say, this
to "Voice of America" or the British
on imports from it, until it adopts an
open emigration policy. Most favored
the Soviet trade announcement she
cratic Vice-Presidential candidate,
procedure is probably unconstitutional
Broadcasting Corporation, as well as
made no major disclosures.
tions on Soviet trade.
nation status gives countries the bene-
fits of tariff reductions that have been
Through the negotiations, she
This was a reference to the Jackson-
said he understood that "there are
because it could amount to a legislative
Moscow's own radio broadcasts trans-
veto.
lated into Chinese.
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1990
A11
Upheaval in the East: Moscow's Cynics, Washington's Hopefulness
Moscow
0104d
Skepticism in the Street
Copy
And No Excited Crowd
ШУТ
TACC
СОБОКИ
HE
By ESTHER B. FEIN
ИМЕЕТ
Special to The New York Times
Preservation
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 On the day the
and ordinary Muscovites cutting
Communist Party's leaders voted
through the center of town.
with near unanimity to forswear the
Most of these people, and others in-
political monopoly their party has
TAΓO
ПРАВА
terviewed at bus stops, a bakery, the
HA
ЛОЖЬ
held for more than 70 years, Red
central farmer's market and on the
Square was void of anxious, inter-
city's streets, shared Mrs. Zaslav-
ested citizens waiting for a sign of
skaya's skepticism about the effect
democracy to rise from behind the
that the decision today would have on
towering brick walls of the Kremlin.
their lives.
There were none of the crowds that
'Robbed of Our Belief'
swarmed outside Government build-
mgs in Czechoslovakia and Poland
"Some apparatchik might lose his
and East Germany, as the leaders
office and his car, maybe, but I won't
within listened to the sounds of reality
get them," said Roman Myasnikov,
and voted to end Communist domina-
who was buying mandarin oranges at
fion in those countries. Here there
the central market. "Maybe I am to
were no placards, no banners, no
blame, after all. I am not out there
hands clasped in unified defiance.
demonstrating and demanding
What should stand here and wait
change the way people did in Prague.
for?" said Zinaida Zaslavskaya, a
But after 70 years of Communism, we
bakery worker from the northern out-
have been robbed of our belief that we
skirts of Moscow, as she trudged
can bring about change:"
across the cobbled square at dusk.
The aging Georgian woman selling
"You think this pluralism is going to
Mr. Myasnikov his precious fruit,
long absent from state-run stores and
available at the market only for a
steep price, chastised her customer
Associated Press
You think this is
for his dour pessimism.
Demonstrators gathered outside the offices of the Soviet press agency Tass to protest its coverage of the demonstration for reform held Sunday.
"Do you think the party changed its
Eastern Europe?
mind about holding power because it
wanted to?" she challenged him.
"They understand that it's the peo-
I can tell you,
ple's will, and they hear our voices
Washington
even if they're not very loud. After
it is not.'
Romania, their hearing improved.'
There were many people, like the
orange seller, who approved and even
applauded the Communist leader-
A Sense. of Wonder Among the Mere Bystanders
be somehow visible today, or tombr-
ship's vote today. A woman waiting in
row, or any time soon? You think this
the slush on the main ring road that
is Eastern Europe? can tell you, it is
By MAUREEN DOWD
axes to the Berlin Wall as East Ger-
might be a healthy turn of events.
The Democrats tried to take credit,
encircles the city said that "opposi-
Special to The New York Times
man guards smiled for the camera,
The imperial city of Washington has
pointing to the assessment of Strobe
not.
tion was the only way to achieve
said Peggy Noonan, the speechwriter
been taken aback by history because
She shrugged at the imposing Spas-
movement.' Abolishing the Commu-
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 - Some
Talbot, a Time editor, that the crum-
nist Party's special status, she said,
people were thunderstruck. Others
for Ronald Reagan who wrote many
it thinks that it must help the world
bling of Communism proved that
sky tower of the Kremlin, at the uni-
were numb, unable to absorb one
of the former President's most biting
turn on its axis," she said. "Perhaps
"the doves in the Great Debate of the
formed guards saluting the flurry of
was the only way to begin a serious
official black limousines whizzing out
more remarkable blow to Commu-
Evil Empire denunciations.
it's salutory to know that the world
past 10 years were right all along."
and widespread opposition move-
The day symbolized, for many peo-
can change without our permission or
the gate, their comfortable back seats
ment here.
nism. Many were wary, waiting to see
ple in this self-absorbed capital, the
encouragement."
Weinberger 'Gratified'
filled by the very people who had
But she echoed the thoughts of
if Mikhail S. Gorbachev could "stay
sense that Washington is more and
A top Soviet analyst in the Govern-
But Caspar W. Weinberger, the for-
voted away their own guarantee of
many who questioned the motivation
one step ahead of the sheriff," as the:
more a bystander to world events
ment, who not long ago was predict-
mer Reagan Defense Secretary who
power.
conservative columnist Robert
behind the party's change of heart.
Novak put it.
rather than player.
ing Mr. Gorbachev's removal and a
pushed to build up American military
A History of Dictators
Was it a trick?
"We're not part of history in Wash-
police-state crackdown, echoed the
forces to counteract the Soviet threat,
"The only reason the Communist
There was skepticism from the
ington," said Representative Charles
sense that the world seemed to be
said he felt personally gratified and
'There is nobody in this country,
nobody, who has ever experienced
Party is doing this now is because the
right, money-making schemes from
E. Schumer, the Brooklyn Democrat.
spinning out of America's control.
was astonished that anyone would
economy is so bad and they don't
the Fortune 500 crowd, and a reluc-
true democracy not those powerful
want to be responsible any more for
tant and cautious response from the
"We just watching history.'
"The whole Soviet world is going
have the chance to say such things in
men inside and not any of us out
President, who always frets that any
Mr. Novak noted that the events in
down the drainpipe with astonishing
Moscow "without being shot.'
here," said Mrs. Zaslavskaya, offer-
making it better," said a man from
speed," " he said. "There's very little
He cautioned against declaring
appearance of gloating on the part of
democracy the champion this early,
ing an opinion that seemed widely
the Ukrainian city of Zaporozhye,
we can do to affect it. The future will
who was visiting relatives in the capi-
America will tip the precarious bal-
be determined largely by internal, do-
arguing that "it's perfectly possible
held by the people of this city. "This
country has always been ruled by a
tal. "And as long as the economy
ance in the Soviet Union away from
"The whole Soviet
mestic considerations.
and within the capability of the Sovi-
Mr. Gorbachev.
dictator of some sort, and now the
stays the way it is, or God help us,
"It's mind boggling."
ets militarily and morally to stop all
gets worse, people here are going to
The political experts in Washington
dictator is telling us there will be
had felt it was inevitable that the
world is going
In political circles, where strate-
this."
democracy. Maybe there will be, but
care very little who's pulling the
gists are accustomed to promoting
President Bush took the low-key
levers.'
power of the Soviet Communist Party
if people believed it would be soon,
would diminish ever since the Soviets
down the
the notion of good versus evil, the
approach today. Originally, his advis-
they would be here right now. And
Overhearing the Ukrainian man's
news was discombobulating. The
ers were going to insert a reaction to
did not roll into Eastern Europe with
comments in a bakery on the city's
drainpipe with
Soviets, the terrifying presence in all
the Kremlin events in one of his Cali-
you don't see anybody, do you?'
tanks to stop the rush of democracy
On Sunday, nearly 100,000 people
hectic Kalinin Prospekt, Pavel Litvo-
those James Bond films and Ronald
fornia speeches promoting the "Star
this fall and winter. They were just
edee
skv interrupted, and through the
Reagan speeches, seemed to be
Wars" missile defense system and a
watching to see. as the Democratic
astonishing speed.'
trying to kick the traces of their Evil
strong defense. But that idea was can-
when the President decided he
a use "ying presence in an
the events *** ure 01 and can
you uun see anybody, uu your
tanks to stop the rush of democracy
hectic Kalinin Prospekt, Pavel Litvo-
drainpipe with
those James Bond films and Ronald
fornia speeches promoting the "Star
On Sunday, nearly 100,000 people
this fall and winter. They were just
Reagan speeches, seemed to be
Wars" missile defense system and a
marched through Moscow to the edge
sky interrupted, and through the
watching to see, as the Democratic
analyst Robert G. Beckel put it, "if
astonishing speed.' ,
trying to kick the traces of their Evil
strong defense. But that idea was can-
of the Kremlin, giving unexpected
graying hairs of his sweeping mous-
Empire image.
celed when the President decided he
voice to a variety of fears, concerns
tache argued that the economy would
Gorbachev could pull off a six-cush-
"It's disorientating," Ms. Noonan
did not want to look like he was gloat-
and demands, including a call for the
improve only through free competi-
ion pool shot and survive."
said, "because it's hard to know who
ing. In a question and answer session
Communist Party to relinquish its
tion.
So today the reaction was mostly
the Soviet Union come "at a critically
to assign the evil role to."
after his speech at the Common-
hold on life here. That rally was spon-
"And the only path to economic
muted wonder at the events in Mos-
dull time in Washington.
In Washington, where everything is
wealth Club in San Francisco, Mr
competition," he said, "is political
"There's a great feeling of pas-
cast in terms of winning and losing,
Bush said he could best help the be-
sored by an array of organizations,
cow, while everyone still kept watch-
with goals as diverse as monarchism
competition."
ing to see what the Sovlet leader's
sivity associated with this President
the debate was raging today over
leaguered Soviet leader by avoiding
"We do not have a political culture
next shot would be.
and the last year," he marveled.
which party could get bragging rights
"doing dumb things - and that's my
and anarchism, united only, it
seemed, by the desire to change the
in this country," Mr. Litovsky said,
"I've been in Washington 33 years
Yes, there are intellectuals who are
Just a Bystander
to the end of the cold war.
cautious approach."
and I've never seen a time where all
status quo.
"We can't revel in the glory of
The President reiterated his sup-
But today, the only people walking
well read and understand competi-
"We may have exhausted our ca-
the fascination was focused on some-
what's going on," said John Buckley,
port for perestroika and praised Mr.
in Red Square were tourists who had
tive politics and who have theories
pacity for surprise and delight when
thing 8,000 miles away.'
a Republican consultant, "because
Gorbachev for his 'restraint and fi-
to come to ogle the gay domes of St.
and ideas. But it takes a long time for
we watched children in Tiananmen
Perhaps It's Salutory'
we're too busy trying to claim
nesse," adding that "he's a man who
Basil's Cathedral and'to watch the
those thoughts to be understood by or-
Square quoting Jefferson and chil-
Noonan suggested that this
credit."
you can talk to."
stiff soldiers guarding Lenin's tomb,
dinary people like me."
dren in East Germany taking pick-
A
Soviet
Union
Without
a
Communist
Monopoly:
The
Academics'
View
my. And finally my impression is, from what
party democracies take a generation, if not
ent of an actual popular mandate. In Lenin's
spective breakup of the existing Great Rus-
Richard Pipes
point of view, a majority vote was not enough
sian empire.
Gorbachev said, that he plans to shift the
more.
to have the right to rule. What really mat-
The recent developments are the conse-
Baird Professor of History at Harvard
base of his power from the party to the state
tered was to be right, and one was right by
quence of the progressive polarization of the
and, I believe, to run for President. A model
knowing what was good for the worker and
situation in the Soviet Union. Gorbachev has
University:
for this could be the recent events in Hungary
and Poland, which I think he orchestrated.
Ellen Mickiewicz
what was good for the peasant without get-
come to realize that zigzagging increasingly
ting their formal approval through competi-
meant a stalemate, and he thus had a choice
I believe this is a
Then the question remains whether he would
revolutionary decision
Alben W. Barkley Professor of Political
tive elections. So the real, momentous signifi-
of either moving dramatically towards
really win office in a democratic election, be-
cance of the declaration that the party re-
democracy or towards repression. He chose
which completely re-
cause he is not popular in the country and he
Science at Emory University:
quires the people's approval through elec-
the former, because he knew that repression
verses Lenin's policy
gains support from the street primarily when
adopted in October
The Party Congress
tions in order to remain in power is that it is a
would mean political violence and social
he is assailing the entrenched Communists.
repudiation of Leninism. It means that the
stagnation. But the depth of the existing eco-
1917, calling for the
Whether he would obtain the same kind of
this spring will ratify
"dictatorship of the
the decision of the Cen-
party does not have a right to rule automati-
nomic crisis in the Soviet Union and the in-
support to carry out a broader program on
cally, as the party. Such a declaration, com-
tensity of rising national apirations is such
proletariat,' Lenin un-
his own, I am not certain, because there are
tral Committee
ing from Moscow, is comprable in its impor-
that the plunge towards democracy is likely
derstood this to be a
people who are more popular than he, in
plenum introducing a
complete monopoly by
whom the citizenry has greater confidence.
multiparty system. It
tance for the Communists to a declaration,
to produce not an operating democracy, but a
has no choice; a num-
coming from the Pope in Rome, that there is
prolonged internal crisis, marked by turbu-
his party, not only of
So, to conclude, this is a historic event, but
all political processes,
ber of parties have al-
no God. From now on, Soviet politics will in-
lence, some chaos and fragmentation. Gorba-
given the country's lack of experience with
creasingly become an ethnic politics, and
chev nonetheless should be admired for his
but of all organized life in the country, the
democracy, and the existing internal ten-
ready come into exist-
economy included. All other parties were to
sions, the future is murky and unpredictable.
ence. Besides, the
people like Gorbachev and others will in-
historical boldness.
be barred from this process on the alleged
Communist Party is
creasingly present themselves as Russian
grounds that they were either counterrevolu-
facing rising defec-
leaders.
tionary or did not express the true interests
tions in its ranks: large numbers of Commu-
Adam Ulam
of the working class. Gorbachev seems to
nists, young and old, exturning in their
Gurney Professor of History and Politi-
call for an abandonment of this policy. He is
Stephen F. Cohen
party cards. Exposés of malfeasance, cor-
essentially jettisoning the Communist Party
ruption, and incompetence) are leading to
cal Science at Harvard University:
Copy
as the ruling organ in the country, casting it
Professor of politics and director of Rus-
ousters of party chieftains, as in Volgograd,
Zbigniew Brzezinski
I think that the
adrift and asking it to draw its strength from
sian studies at Princeton University:
where the main square was filled with people
arguing, "Down with everybody and every-
Former national security adviser, under
present change in a
popular support, such as it can obtain. It is to
The abolition of Arti-
thing."
President Carter:
sense is more symboli-
compete with other parties for a role in the
cle 6 is a step forward,
The Soviet party has to try to earn the lead-
cal rather than realis-
Soviet state.
Khru-
tic. We don't have cur-
My impression is that the Communist
but it's not a decisive
ership it can no longer take for granted.
Just
as
Preservation
development.
There isn't even'a single Communist Party
shchev's secret speech
rently parties in our
Party would receive no more than 5 percent
or 10 percent of the popular vote, which
First, Article 6 only
any more: the impetus or.drastic political
before the 20th party
sense of the word in
appeared in the Con-
change has been generated for the most part
congress: in 1956
the Soviet Union, but
would mean that it would become a relatively
rtsmall minority party in the political spec-
stitution in 1977, dec-
by elements within the party itself. And the
marked the beginning
what we do have is
94rum. I believe that in free elections, if such
ades after Communist
parties of the republics will be increasingly
of the end of Stalinism,
that the Communist
are to take place, the majority of the Russian
Party dictatorship
Gorbachev's reform
Party itself is split into
diverse.
was well established
Can the Communist Party retain its lead-
at the just-concluded
many factions, and in
voters would cast ballots for one of three new
The second reason is
ership in a system with genuine competition?
plenum marks the
a sense that poses a greater danger to the
parties. One of these I would tentatively call
It has the edge in resources, media control,
beginning of the for-
survival of the Soviet system than the ap-
a Social Democratic party, which might ab-
that there has been de
sorb a considerable portion of the present
facto multiparty politics in the Soviet Union
and organization, but that won't be enough, in
mal break with Lenin-,
pearance of other parties, I think. The threat
Communist Party membership. This party
for the last three years anyway - politics,
my view. The move to a genuine parliamen-
ism. Gorbachev in ef-
of secession by various national republics
fect is embracing the prescriptions of Lenin's
from the Soviet Union is a much greater
would combine appeals for democracy with a
though not a multiparty system.
tary system is under way.
Third, even in a multiparty system the
old ideological rival, Martov, and his Menshe-
threat than the threat posed by the still theo-
program of socialism, such as we know from
England under Labor, or Sweden. The other
Communist Party is going to retain enor-
viks. It took years for the struggle against
retical possibility of another party. It's much
party would presumably be what I would
mous advantages, much in the way for exam-
Stalinism to be successfully concluded. It will
smaller than the threat being actually posed
ple that party machines dominated what
take years to dismantle the remnants of
by the threat of secession by the Baltic re-
tentatively call Christian Democratic, which
would probably combine democracy with ap-
were in effect various one-party cities and
Roman Szporluk
Leninism, but the battle has now been joined.
publics or other republics of the Soviet Union.
peals to free enterprise and a strong pro-
states in America for many years.
However, it would be a mistake to see the
Of course, on the face of it, it's a welcome
Fourth, the focus of a Soviet multiparty
Professor of history and director of the
recent decisions as marking a breakthrough
change, but it also opens the way, to be realis-
Western platform. The third major party
to democracy. Much more likely is a pro-
tic about it, to the rise let's say of a right-wing
would be a Russian nationalist party, which
system would be the thousands of local sovi-
Center for Russian and East European
would stand on a platform of Russia for Rus-
ets - or councils, or local assemblies all
Studies at the University of Michigan:
longed period of democratizing chaos. One
party, let us say which could combine, say in-
sians and assume a strong anti-Western
across the country. Though Gorbachev has
will see the rise in the Soviet Union of in-
tense Russian naitonalism, with the stress on
stance. This sort of party would probably de-
promised to shift "all power to the soviets,".
I believe that the renunciation of the par-
creasingly irreconcilable conflicts between
russian, with what might be called elements
those soviets remain powerless, in the fullest
ty's monopoly of power literally means the
varying national political and social aspira-
of neo-Stalinism. So, like in any political
mand very powerful centralized authority of
the state. And then in additon there would be
sense of the word, without their own author-
end of Communism as a distinct current on
tions, all united by a shared hatred for the ex-
situation, this kind of reform opens the door
nationalist parties in most of the border
ity and even revenue.
the left. Lenin's most original contribution to
isting Communist nomenklatura. One is also
not only, from the democratic point of view,
lands, which would either espouse separa-
And fifth, more generally, dictatorships
Marxism was his concept of the party. Lenin
likely to see a flashback of a nationalist type
to favorable but also to somewhat dangerous
can be born in one night but durable multi-
made the right of the party.to rule independ-
among the Great Russians, fearful of the pro-
developments.
tism or demand extensive regional autono-
A10
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1990
Upheaval in the East: Gorbachev's Moment
Soviet Union
Soviet Leadership Agrees to Surrender the Communist Party Monopoly on Power
party's vast entrenched machir.
Continued From Page Al
might ever yield its control over coun
less jobs across all major institution
the critical party congress, to be held
in all communities of the land a na
Photo Copy Preservation
this summer.
tionwide patronage machine by dikta
The meeting also appeared to hedge
in effect, that is rooted seven decade
on a crucial economic issue and reject
deep in Soviet history.
proposals from some of the more radi-
No Effect From Allies, He Says
cal delegates for a clear repeal of the
In accounting for the party's chang
party's standing opposition to private
of heart toward its power monopoly
property.
Mr. Yakovlev tried to contend that th
With Mr. Gorbachev once again dis-
turmoil that gripped the Soviet alliesis
playing whiphand success in having his
East Europe was not a major factor,
way with the badly demoralized and in-
"It cannot be based on those event.
creasingly unpopular party, the meet-
taking place in the countries of Eastern
ing ended today with no purge of Mr.
Europe," he said, adding that in ac
Gorbachev's remaining critics from
counting for democratization, "any
process should ripen in each and every
the hierarchy.
individual country.
Amid the party's general anxiety,
Even as Mr. Gorbachev was, at.
these hard-liners were warning that
tempting fresh emergency domestic
there was no guarantee of success in
repairs through the party meeting, an
these latest proposals in Mr. Gorba-
announcement was being made that
chev's rapid-fire attempts to ignite na-
Chancellor Helmut Kohl of West Ger-
tional renewal. But Mr. Yakovlev por-
many would arrive Saturday for a syd-
trayed the Central Committee's solid
den Kremlin visit to deal with an inter-
center majority as being firmly with
national issue of rapidly growing con-
Mr. Gorbachev, for all the anger and
cern here, the possible reunification of
the two Germanys.
contention at the meeting.
The issue was the subject of some
Some of the speakers warned that
sharply worded cautions at the Central
chaos and anarchy awaited the nation
Committee meeting not to forget the
should the party fight the peoples' wish
millions who died in the war against
for pluralism. "Either we prove able to
Nazi Germany.
lead a rapid but controlled process of
transformation or it will become an un-
"A European Germany'
controlled deluge," Vadim A. Medve-
Mr. Yakovlev said the Gorbachev
dev, the party's ideology chief, told the
Government understood modern Ger-
Reuters
meeting.
mans' hopes for unity, but he added,
As he left the Central Committee meeting, Algirzas Brazauskas, Lithuanian party leader, gestured to reporters outside the Kremlin.
"We are in favor of a European Ger-
"It was not just a series of friendly
many, not a German Europe."
embraces,' Mr. Yakovlev said of the
meeting that marked the party lead-
up his timetable, succeeded in moving
President, although technically he is
competitive elections last March. In its
"If we have 20 parties, it will be
Left unsettled thus far in the early
ers' concession that they had best re-
to late June or early July, several
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet and
two ensuing sessions, a minority of
okay," said Svyatoslav N. Fyodorov,
summary of the meeting's activities is
treat from their guaranteed power mo-
months sooner than originally sched-
roughly comparable to a parliamen-
members have displayed a willingness
Moscow's garrulous celebrity eye sur-
how the 5,000 delegates to the party
nopoly, seized by the Bolsheviks seven
uled.
tary prime minister.
to criticize and dissent, but here, too,
geon and man about the party, stepping
congress will be selected. Mr. Yakov-
decades ago and first encoded in the
The party congress, whose members
In No Hurry for New Parties
Mmr. Gorbachev has thus far shown
up to the microphone.
lev said the plenum proposed a "large-
Constitution of 1936.
scale election campaign from top to
seem likely to be selected by way of
his ability to command the agenda and
"It would be very strange if after 70
additional innovations expected from
Party leaders who hailed the meet-
"We all agreed the country needs a
basically get what he wants approved.
bottom," but he did not say whether
the Gorbachev leadership, would pro-
ing's change of position on power mo-
president who will be able to solve
delegates would be elected in competi-
years of silence all of us would begin
vide the ultimate party view of the
nopoly were in no obvious rush to pre-
Even before the meeting's formal en-
problems quickly,' he said, only guess-
tive secret-ballot elections. by party
talking in a single voice," he said of the
dict how soon or in what form true'op-
dorsement of Mr. Gorbachev's wishes
ing at what might be the enlarged role
members, as younger, more libetal-
impassioned session.
changes by its 19 million members.
position parties; might ever emerge,
of such a post. "His functions will be to
was announced, the mood surounding
minded Communists want.
While the meeting was a dramatic
Even so, the national Parliament, the
again Insisting that this, too, should be
handle such cases as earthquakes,
the Kremlin session was rich with sig-
measure of the party hierarchy's
Congress of People's Deputies, pres-
up the Parliament to decide.
armed clashes, matters of war and
Of the Lithuanian breakaway party,
nals. Delegates, who in previous re-
search for a way to avoid the sort of
ently would have the final governmen-
peace. There should be a man who will
Vice President Anatoly I. Lukyanov
"The party should not be organizing
gimes were absolutely secretive about
tal say over the proposal to end the
committee meetings, this time were
keep his finger on the button."
said it had "yet another chance" to re-
public confrontation and rout that pre-
an opposition for Itself," Mr. Yakovlev
turn to the fold, an unlikely event even
cipitated the fall of East European
Constitution's guarantee of supreme
willing to discuss each day's doings.
While delegates at the meeting were
Communism, its recommendation
said, smiling. "This should be a natural
with the step announced today of a cut-
powers to the party, enshrined in Arti-
carried no immediate guarantee of
course."
They even began adapting to the clutch
hailing the proposals as dramatic
off of central party financing The local
cle 6, as well as to create a new presi-
of news reporters and camera crews
cures for some of the nation's ills, the
Communist insurgents have begun
enactment.
dential system.
But he indicated that the party was
that began staking out the Kremlin's
dissident voices who have been fighting
raising funds independent of Moscow.
Party Congress Moved Up
Of the latter, Mr. Yakovlev was
already expecting a more competitive
Spassky Gate, precisely as they do the
for the right to opposition politics
The proposals, including the still
vague on details, talking of such a re-
outlook, stressing, "We will struggle to
West Wing driveway of the White
stressed that enormous struggles
"We do not think any single party
vaguely explained endorsement of a
vised presidency's being approved "by
remain the governing party, but by
House. Here, too, certain delegates
would probably remain even should
should pretend to have a monopoly,
new presidential system, will next go to
the people," but not directly suggesting
political means."
could not resist this odd oasis of lime-
pluralistic changes be adopted in Par-
Mr. Yakovlev said of the meeting's
Parliament underwent its own quali-
light gleaming through the wintry dull-
liament.
willingness to retreat. "This party. is
the 5,000-member national party con-
direct competitive elections. Mr. Gor-
gress that Mr. Gorbachev, in stepping
bachev is commonly referred to as the
fied democratization through partial
ness in Red Square.
A crucial question is how easily the
ready to share its prerogatives.'
The Party Is Not Over
The Party Is Not Over
For Soviet Communism
Continued From Page Al
rent economic arrangements change.
"We are children, because the Rus-
sian people have never had any prop-
runs deep, there is no sense of soli-
erty, he said.
darity among the opposition.
'Parties will be revived in parallel
The Soviet Union is an assembly of
with people acquiring new forms of
self-absorbed factions, each with its
property," he said. "Peasants will-get
own grievances - ethnic, economic,
land as their own, and establish their
ideological. There is no unifying force
own party."
comparable to the nationalism of Ger-
Don't Underestimate Gorbachev
mans or the Catholic Church in Poland,
no cohesive umbrella group compara-
Another reason not to write off the
ble to the Civic Forum in Czechoslova-
party yet is its leader, Mr. Gorbachev,
kia.
who may yet succeed in making Com-
When 100,000 people massed in the
munism a capable competitor in a mul-
center of Moscow on Sunday to press
tiparty world.
the Communist leadership for change,
Today, Mr. Gorbachev's first pri-
the show of common purpose seemed
ority is to create stable government-in-
reminiscent of scenes in Prague or
stitutions - the Parliament, a more
Photo Copy Preservation
Leipzig. But in the ranks, the crowd
powerful presidency, soon-to-be-
lacked any unifying passion or sense of
its own power. It was one-day alliance
of convenience, the blue and yellow flag
of Ukrainian nationalists flying along-
The Communists
side the black flag of the anarchists,
Jews fearful of mounting anti-Semi-
have big
tism marching with young Commu-
nists demanding intra-party democra-
advantages; not
cy.
The Baltic republics, waging an aloof
so their rivals.
campaign for liberty, find little com-
mon purpose with the Armenians and
Azerbaijanis, living in their own world
of murderous recriminations. And
elected local governments that have
Reuters
none of those places wants to tie its fate
enough public credibility to stand on
Muscovites gathered around a display outside a newspaper office to read accounts of the meeting of the Soviet Communist Party leadership.
to Russia, the largest republic, which is
their own and govern.
itself split into regions as disparate as
Gradually, Mr. Gorbachev and his
separate countries.
party have accepted that the price-of
Mr. Gorbachev's main enemy is not
credible democracy is forcing the
any political rival inside the party or
Communists to stand the test of compe-
Excerpts From Remarks by Soviet Ambassador
outside it. It is chaos, disintegration.
tition.
"We depend on Gorbachev because
The early experience of the Baltic re-
this country cannot be Czechoslova-
publics, where the Communists have
In recent times we have somehow
Special to The New York Times
Was it not a mistake to proclaim
with the anti-alcohol legislation. At
kia," said one marcher in the parade
already begun to face competition, sug-
begun to value not our own assess-
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 - Following are:
the total democratization of society
the time we said that it would be once
Sunday, alluding wistfully to the or-
gests that even if the party remakes it-
ments of our work but those of gentle-
and forget about the other side of the
and for all, and now our foreign-trade
derly change of power in Prague. "The
self almost beyond recognition it will
excerpts from remarks by Vladimir
men in the West.
coin the establishment of order and
officials are scouring the entire world
most we can hope for is to be Romania,
have trouble holding its own.
I. Brovikov, Soviet Ambassador to
discipline in the country?
to buy hundreds of thousands of deca-
and there has already been enough
But Mr. Gorbachev insists the party
Poland, at the meeting of the Soviet
liters of vodka for the overly sober
blood."
can be taught the new tricks of democ-
The heck with them. Bush is Bush.
Communist Party Central Commit
Anyone who Is in the least bit famil-
and the people are the people. We
Soviet consumer.
A Nation Sick of Parties
racy.
far with theory and politics knows
think that we can," said Gennadi I.
tee Tuesday, as distributed by Tass,
somehow are trying to prove that the
that discipline without democracy
Another reason the party can expect
Gerasimov, the main Soviet spokes-
the official Soviet press agency, and
people are for perestroika, but permit
will survive, but democracy without
We are still running around looking
to be around awhile is the lack of a
man. "Gorbachev certainly believes
translated by The New Times:
me to ask, for what kind? Not for the
discipline is inconceivable, for it
for panaceas for all evils and hoping
political culture here.
that we can. But we must move with
kind which in almost five years has
inevitably grows into sociopolitical
that democracy, which we have
Even in the Baltics, the most Euro-
the tide, must move with the people,
I share the opinion of those who
thrown the country,into the vortex of
chaos.
turned into an absolute, will put
pean of the Soviet republics, organizers
and not be left behind by events." CE
spoke before me who said that the
crisis and led it to the line where we
everything in its place in the political
of newly legalized parties like the So-
"There are countries where. one
have come face to face with an orgy
This point is well understood by the
document being discussed by. us is
sphere and the market will set things
cial Democrats and Christian Demo-
of anarchy and the breakdown of the
Western leaders who so fervently
party may stay in power for years, he
hardly acceptable in the form pre-
straight in the economic sphere. But
crats say many people are reluctant to
added. "In Sweden, Social Democrats
sented to us and needs to be seriously
economy, with the grimace of all-out
praise us. At home they act brutally
and decisively when even the slight-
since everything has turned out just
join any party, because they are alien-
were for how many - 20? 25? Why?
revised. Its excessive slogan monger-
collapse and the decline of morals. To
the opposite, it is not the leaders in
ated by the concept of organized poli-
assert in this situation that the people
est threat emerges to their state or
Because they were good enough to keep
the center who are to blame, you see,
tics.
ing and even somewhat shrill tone,
are for, that everything pleases them;
class interests. And in doing so, Bush
the power. So his hope is that his party
the inaccuracy of the assessments of
but local officials. Or the excuse is
"The habit of democracy has been
is at a minimum politically dishonest.
and Thatcher don't pay attention to
will be in power for 20 or 30 more
the past and especially of the present
made that they didn't think it would
bred out of us," said a leader of the new
what others think of them. Panama,
years."
contained in it, ideological eclecti-
the suppression of the strike move-
turn out like this. Putting it frankly,
Social Democratic Party in Lithuania.
cism and lack of theoretical clarity do
Discipline and Democracy
ment in England and much, much
this is a strange position for such
In Russia and Central Asia, even
not as yet allow it to claim the role of
The people are against and are
high-ranking officials.
more remote from the law-based
New Chief for the Navy
more provide illustration of this.
the program document of our party.
speaking out about this increasingly
But more than anything else, it has
democratic traditions of Europe, politi-
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7 (AP)
The impression is created that the
vocally. Comrades, you know this
become fashionable to blame all our
cal groups splinter as soon as they are
President Bush will nominate Adm.
disasters on the "accursed past."
formed.
document has a utilitarian function
very well, there's no need for me to
Frank B. Kelso 2d to be the new Chief
and is intended to satisfy the immedi-
tell you.
Laws and Mistakes
Svyatoslav Fyodorov, a Moscow eye
of Naval Operations, the White House
ate requirements of our policy.
It is for this reason, apparently,
surgeon and champion of free enter-
announced today in San Francisco,
that for our leadership it is more
Comrades, was not the enactment
I believe that all our tragedy today
prise who attended the party meeting,
where the President was traveling. Ad-
In the platform there is much extol-
ling of perestroika and criticism of
pleasant to meet with smiling crowds
of hasty, inadequately considered
stems from our not being able as be-
said another major obstacle is that
miral Kelso, now commander in chief
on the streets of Western capitals
laws a mistake? To some people it
fore to move away from one-man rule
politics must be based on economic in-
of the Navy's Atlantic Command and
the distant past and plenty of gener-
than with our own despondent coun-
seemed that everything was all right,
in the Government and the party. We
terests, but SO far the economy is a
supreme Allied commander for the At-
ous promises about the future, but
trymen who might, in keeping with
and they immediately praised the
often conduct matters instinctively,
state monopoly.
lantic, would succeed Adm. Carlisle
there is barely any assessment of the
the laws of glasnost, say something
new drafts. But then it turned out that
incompetently and without looking
He predicted that innumerable small
A. H. Trost, whose term expires June
present and of the mistakes commit-
unpleasant.
they were not all right, and, as a mat-
into the future, worrying less about
and ineffectual parties would spring up
30. Admiral Kelso is 56 years old, a na-
ted not at some time in the past but
ter of fact, quite the opposite.
the welfare of the country than about
quickly, but that serious contenders for
tive of Fayetteville, Tenn., and a 1956
during the period of perestroika.
That's the way it was, for instance
personal ambitions.
power would come only when the cur- graduate of the Naval Academy.
The New York Times
New York: Today, mostly sunny,
"All the News
breezy. High near 60. Tonight, clear,
windy, mild. Low near 50. Tomorrow,
That's Fit to Print"
sun then clouds. High near 60. Yester-
day: High 53, low 41. Details, page B12.
VOL. CXXXIX
No. 48,140
Copyright © 1990 The New York Times
NEW YORK, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1990
50 cents beyond 75 miles from New York City, except on Long Island.
40 CENTS
SOVIET LEADERS AGREE TO SURRENDER
COMMUNIST PARTY MONOPOLY ON POWER
Drug for Babies' Seizures Is Found
Communlsm by Decree
or DV Choice
GORBACHEV BACKED
030468
Ineffective and Perhaps Harmful
THE LEADING AND GUIDING FORCE OF
Copy
Soviet society and the nucleus of its
A Western-Style System
By GINA KOLATA
political system, of all state organiza
A drug that is being taken for long
children end up taking phenobarbital
for the seizures, he estimated. The chil-
tions and organizations, is the Communist
of Government Urged
periods by tens of thousands of infants
and young children to prevent convul-
dren usually take the drug, an anticon-
Party of the Soviet Union, The exists
sions is ineffective and inhibits intellec-
vulsant that has been used for decades
as Meeting Ends
tual performance, at least temporarily,
to treat epilepsy, every day for two
for the and serves the people.
researchers have found.
years.
The drug, phenobarbital, has been a
The Epilepsy Foundation of America
The Communist Party,armed with Marxism
By FRANCIS X. CLINES
mainstay of pediatricians and pediat-
urged parents not to react to the study
Leninism: determines the general perspectives of
Special to The New York Times
ric neurologists, who have used it for
by suddenly discontinuing their chil-
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 The Communist
decades to try to suppress seizures that
dren's use of the drug. "Sudden with-
the develop nent of society and the course of the
Party leadership agreed today to sur-
can occur when a baby or child has a
drawal of anticonvulsant drugs such as
domestic foreign policy of the U.S.S.R.,
render its historic monopoly of power
fever.
phenobarbital can trigger seizures, in-
in the Soviet Union and accept a pro-
An estimated 130,000 of the four mil-
cluding seizures that are harder than
directs the treat constructive work of the Sovie
gram that recommends the creation of
lion children born each year in the
usual to control, or which occur in
people, andimparts a planned, systematic and
a Western-style presidency and cabinet
United States will have at least one
series," said Dr. W. Edwin Dodson, a
system of government,
such febrile seizure, said Dr. Jonas H.
member of the foundation's board who
theoretical substantiated character to their
Society itself will decide
The Soviet party's governing Central
Ellenberg, a statistician at the Na-
is professor of pediatrics and neu-
Committee ended a contentious three-
tional Institute of Neurological Disor-
rology at St. Louis Children's Hospital
struggle for hevictory of Communism
whether it wishes to adopt
day meeting with a strong endorse-
ders and Stroke who is an author of the
and Washington University.
ment of President Mikhail S. Gorba-
All party or anizations shall the
our politics
new study. As many as 40,000 of the
Edward West, a spokesman for Eli
chev's latest prescription for dealing
Lilly & Company, a maker of phenobar-
framework Constitution of the USSR
ALEKSANDR N. YAKOVLE
with the badly alling party and nation,
bital, said company officials had not
including unspecified additional execu-
Member of the Politburo
Judge Nullifies
seen the article. Efforts to reach offi-
ARTICLE OF THE SOVIET CONSTITUTION
tive powers for the President.
cials of other companies that make the
chief architect of Gorbachev
Repudiated by the Communist Party leadership
Central Committee leaders, summa-
drug were unavailing.
proposals for a new Government
rizing what they conceded was a storm
Law Mandating
A Sort of Electrical Storm
of questions, doubts and complaints,
said the hierarchy had finally agreed to
Doubts have been raised in the last
end more than seven decades of party
Use of English
decade about whether it is useful to
treat such a seizure, a sort of electrical
storm in the brain that seems to be set
Caution: The Soviet Party Is Not Over
dictatorship by accepting the possibil-
ity of political pluralism and by mak-
ing "no claim for any particular role to
off in some children when their tem-
be encoded in the Constitution" for the
By FELICITY BARRINGER
peratures rise in an illness. But many
doctors prescribed phenobarbital be-
By BILL KELLER
and beset by a public disenchanted not
methodical extermination of dissent. In
Communists
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 - A Federal
cause they wanted to reassure parents
Specialto Times
just by 70 years of admitted misrule,
the older generation, Communism is in-
tertwined with the patriotic emotions
"Soclety Will Decide'
district judge in Phoenix has declared
anxious about preventing another sel-
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 East Germany,
but also by five years of unfulfilled
that the state's constitutional amend-
zure and because of concerns that the
Czechoslovakia, Romania and now
promises.
of World War II and the building of an
"Soclety itself will decide whether it
ment making English the language "of
seizures could be dangerous. Such con-
the Soviet Union?
But for several reasons, the party
industrial state.
wishes to adopt our politics," said Alek-
cerns were raised by anecdotal ac-
As the Communist Party's leader-
here seems likely to prove more tena-
Moreover, every factory boss, collec-
sandr N. Yakovlev, the Politburo mem-
all government functions and actions"
ship grudgingly accepted the prospect
cious than its offspring in Eastern Eu-
tive farm director, newspaper editor,
ber and Gorbachev confidant who is
in Arizona is a violation of federally
counts that the seizures could lead to
one of the main architects of the latest
of political competition to-
rope.
high school principal, K.G.B. colonel
protected free speech rights.
neurological problems.
The decision on Tuesday was the
News
day, it was tempting to
In contrast to the overnight democ-
and army officer owes his place in
Kremlin proposals to deal with the
In the new study, being published to:
think that another Com-
racies of Eastern Europe is the Soviet
large part to the party's pervasive pa-
wave of unrest that has pushed world
first legal setback for the official-Eng-
day in The New England Journal of
Analysis
Medicine, researchers report that chil-
munist sand castle was
Union, in which the Communist Party
tronage machine.
Communism into retreat and reform.
lish movement, which gathered
about to disappear in a
has deeper roots, a fractured opposi-
Mr. Gorbachev has tried for two
Central Committee members repeat
momentum in the latter part of the
dren who took the drug for as long as
flash flood of democracy.
tion and the strategic prowess of Presi-
years to wean factories and farms
edly stressed that they were only
1980's, particularly in the South and
two years had just as many febrile sel-
Southwest as those areas experienced
zures as those who did not take it and
But it is hard to find anyone here,
dent Mikhail S. Gorbachev.
from directives of local party bosses.
recommending, not dictating, changes
a large influx of Asian and Hispanic
Communist or anti-Communist, who
The roots of Communism run into the
He has discovered that many of them
for possible enactment by the national
that the children who took it had signif-
than
the
really believes the party is over.
national psychology and the system of
lost the habit of deciding things for
Parliament, thereby underlining their
own shrinking role in the state's execu-
Soviet society and the nucleus of its
By GINA KOLATA
A Western-Style System
political system, of all state organiza
A drug that is being taken for long
children end up taking phenobarbital
periods by tens of thousands of infants
for the seizures, he estimated. The chil-
tions and public organizations, is the Communist
of Government Urged
and young children to prevent convul-
dren usually take the drug, an anticon-
sions is ineffective and inhibits intellec-
vulsant that has been used for decades
Party of the Soviet Union The C.P.S. U. exists
tual performance, at least temporarily,
to treat epilepsy, every day for two
for the people and serves the people.
as Meeting Ends
researchers have found.
years.
The drug, phenobarbital, has been a
The Epilepsy Foundation of America
The Communist Party, armed with Marxism
mainstay of pediatricians and pediat-
urged parents not to react to the study
By FRANCIS X. CLINES
ric neurologists, who have used it for
by suddenly discontinuing their chil-
Leninism, determines the general perspectives of
Specialto to The New York Times
decades to try to suppress seizures that
dren's use of the drug. "Sudden with-
velopment of society and the course of the
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 - The Communist
can occur when a baby or child has a
drawal of anticonvulsant drugs such as
Party leadership agreed today to sur-
fever.
phenobarbital can trigger seizures, in-
domestic and foreign policy the U.S.S.R.,
render its historic monopoly of power
An estimated 130,000 of the four mil-
cluding seizures that are harder than
directs the treat constructive work of the Soviet
in the Soviet Union and accept a pro-
lion children born each year in the
usual to control, or which occur in
gram that recommends the creation of
United States will have at least one
series," said Dr. W. Edwin Dodson, a
people, andimparts a planned, systematic and
a Western-style presidency and cabinet
such febrile seizure, said Dr. Jonas H.
member of the foundation's board who
theoretically substantiated character to their
system of government.
Ellenberg, a statistician at the Na-
is professor of pediatrics and neu-
Society itself will decide
The Soviet party's governing Central
tional Institute of Neurological Disor-
rology at St. Louis Children's Hospital
struggle for the victory of Communism:
Committee ended a contentious three-
ders and Stroke who is an author of the
and Washington University.
whether it wishes to adopt
day meeting with a strong endorse-
new study. As many as 40,000 of the
Edward West, a spokesman for Eli
All party ore anizations shall function within the
our politics.
ment of President Mikhail S. Gorba-
Lilly & Company, a maker of phenobar-
framework of the Constitution of the USSR
chev's latest prescription for dealing
bital, said company officials had not
ALEKSANDR N. YAKOVLEV
with the badly ailing party and nation,
Judge Nullifies
seen the article. Efforts to reach offi-
ARTICLE OF THE SOVIET CONSTITUTION
Member of the Politbura
including unspecified additional execu-
cials of other companies that make the
anda chief architect of Gorbachev
tive powers for the President.
drug were unavailing.
Repudiated by the Communist Party leadership
proposals for new Government
Central Committee leaders, summa-
Law Mandating
A Sort of Electrical Storm
rizing what they conceded was a storm
of questions, doubts and complaints,
Doubts have been raised in the last
Use of English
said the hierarchy had finally agreed to
decade about whether it is useful to
end more than seven decades of party
treat such a seizure, a sort of electrical
Caution: The Soviet Party Is Not Over
dictatorship by accepting the possibil-
storm in the brain that seems to be set
ity of political pluralism and by mak-
By FELICITY BARRINGER
off in some children when their tem-
ing "no claim for any particular role to
Specialto The New York Times
peratures rise in an illness. But many
be encoded in the Constitution" for the
doctors prescribed phenobarbital be-
By BILL KELLER
and beset by a public disenchanted not
methodical extermination of dissent. In
Communists.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 A Federal
cause they wanted to reassure parents
Special to The New York Times
just by 70 years of admitted misrule,
the older generation, Communism is in-
district judge in Phoenix has declared
anxious about preventing another sei-
MOSCOW, Feb. 7 - East Germany,
but also by five years of unfulfilled
tertwined with the patriotic emotions
"Soclety WIII Decide'
that the state's constitutional amend-
zure and because of concerns that the
Czechoslovakia, Romania - and now
promises.
of World War II and the building of an
"Society itself will decide whether it
ment making English the language "of
seizures could be dangerous. Such con-
the Soviet Union?
But for several reasons, the party
industrial state.
wishes to adopt our politics," said Alek-
all government functions and actions"
cerns were raised by anecdotal ac-
As the Communist Party's leader-
here seems likely to prove more tena-
Moreover, every factory boss, collec-
sandr N. Yakovlev, the Politburo mem-
in Arizona is a violation of federally
counts that the seizures could lead to
ship grudgingly accepted the prospect
cious than its offspring in Eastern Eu-
tive farm director, newspaper editor,
ber and Gorbachev confidant who is
protected free speech rights.
neurological problems.
of political competition to-
rope.
high school principal, K.G.B. colonel
one of the main architects of the latest
The decision on Tuesday was the
In the new study, being published to:
News
day, it was tempting to
In contrast to the overnight democ-
and army officer owes his place in
Kremlin proposals to deal with the
first legal setback for the official-Eng-
day in The New England Journal of
think that fanother Com-
Analysis
racies of Eastern Europe is the Soviet
large part to the party's pervasive pa-
wave of unrest that has pushed world
lish movement, which gathered
Medicine, researchers report that chil-
munist sand castle was
Union, in which the Communist Party
tronage machine.
Communism into retreat and reform.
Photo
momentum in the latter part of the
dren who took the drug for as long as
about to disappear 'in
a
has deeper roots, a fractured opposi-
1980's, particularly in the South and
Mr. Gorbachev has tried for two
Central Committee members repeat-
two years had just as many febrile sei-
flash flood of democracy.
tion and the strategic prowess of Presi-
years to wean factories and farms
edly stressed that they were only
Southwest as those areas experienced
zures as those who did not take it and
But it is hard to find anyone here,
dent Mikhail S. Gorbachev.
a large influx of Asian and Hispanic
from directives of local party bosses.
recommending, not dictating, changes
that the children who took it had signif-
Communist or, anti Communist, who
The roots of Communism run into the
Copy
immigrants.
He has discovered that many of them
for possible enactment by the national
icantly lower I.Q. scores than the
really believes the party is over.
national psychology and the system of
The judge, Paul G. Rosenblatt, ruled
lost the habit of deciding things, for
Parliament, thereby underlining their
others several months after the medi-
True, the Soviet Communist Party is
power.
themselves.
own shrinking role in the'state's execu-
that the Arizona amendment "is a pro-
cation was discontinued
rapidly polarizing into the camps of
Bolshevism was indigenous rather
hibition on the use of any language
The researchers, at the National In-
revision: and resistance. More and
than imposed by an imperious neigh-
the time does come to compete, the
tive affairs.
These proposals would thus continue
other than English by all officers and
more, it is torn by ethnic divisions,
bor, and it has been reinforced by
party:starts with the advantages of a
seven decades of indoctrination "and
rich political infrastructure, from bank
Mr. Gorbachev's attempt. to: channel
employees of all political subdivisions
Continued on Page B13, Column I
paralyzed by its dimmishing authority
accounts and printing presses to tacti-
power from the party to the Govern-
in Arizona while performing their offi-
cial duties." As such, Judge Rosenblatt
cal experience and personnel files.
ment. They would, if enacted, enhance
said, it could inhibit legislators from
When a group of Communist insur-
his role as President, but how fully
talking to their constituents or judges
gents met recently in Moscow to con-
competitive party or -presidential
ider-organizing their own party, one
rivals might arise, if ever, was in no
from performing marriages in a lan-
leader, Sergel B. Stankevich, said it
way clear from. the early proposal
guage other than English
would be better to work from within.
sketched after the meeting.
Mofford Approves of Ruling
} "We are not going to walk away from
No Action Against Lithuania
Gov. Rose Mofford, a Democrat who
the party with empty hands and bare
The 250-member committee also ac-
strongly opposed the 1988 campaign to
bottoms,' he said.
ceded to the view of the Gorbachev
amend the state constitution with the
Although discontent with the party
leadership that no immediate sanc-
language provision, said she would not
tions be attempted against the Lithua-
appeal the judge's ruling. "I am happy
Continued on Page A10, Column 5
nian Communist Party, which has de-
the courts ruled it unconstitutional,
clared independence from the Soviet
she said, adding that the law was
The View From the West
party in a pioneer attempt to force
"flawed from the beginning."
political pluralism onto the land.
In the absence of an appeal, Judge
In Washington, there was muted
Instead, the committee members
Rosenblatt's ruling sets a legal princi-
wonder at the Soviet Communist Par-
opted for a conciliatory approach, urg-
ple that is binding only in Arizona.
ty's actions, and anticipation over
ing the Lithuanian insurgents to recon-
Other lawsuits dealing with the lan-
President Mikhail S. Gorbachev's
sider their action in the face of "top to
guage issue around the country either
next move, while academic experts
bottom" changes that are promised for
were divided on the significance of
the events in Moscow. Page All.
Continued on Page A10, Column I
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 1990
A Single Bullet
By MARK HELPRIN
the West-"now that Soviet threat no
many locked in de facto unification with
Most leaders who decide upon war do so
longer exists
accepts Mr. Gorba-
the Federal Republic, hell could break
amid what they report to have been the in-
chev's probity and permanence. American
loose as the NATO Germans suddenly dis-
eluctable compulsion of events with a life
intelligence appears to believe that he has
cover something for which they will lay'
of their own. And when things get out of
replaced hostile elements of the armed
down their lives.
hand, it is usually after a period of eupho-
forces, but the word on the street in Mos-
America faces these dangers with slo-
ria has masked the small signals of danger
COW is the opposite, and a noted Soviet par-
gans. Though "the end of history" and
that in later sobriety stand out with such
liamentarian told this newspaper in Sep
the peace dividend" make no more sense
melancholy., force.
tember that "all the officers who support
than Stennis balls cause cancer" and "the
The lamps of Europe are burning bril-
perestroika have been discharged.' In this
Arabian resuscitation," they are the intel-
liantly but out of control. Far too much
autumn of Eastern Europe, the Red Army
lectual foundation for habitual capitula-
rides upon Mikhail Gorbachev, for (real
continued to speak its ancient language,
tionists who resent having to receive con-
power in the Soviet Bloc is still centralized
detaining American military observers and
cessions," because they; are happy only
in him, and he alone holds back the per-
bayoneting tires, as If to signal that it is
when they are making them.
fectly intact mechanisms of, repression.
not to be dismissed as an independent ac-
With no inkling of why Mr. Gorbachev
The facts suggest a major Soviet revanche
tor, and it is not. The KGB and the party,
may fall, they refuse to look closely at his
with unpredictable consequences in and
bent out of shape by Mr. Gorbachev, can
crumbling economy, affronted military,
among the blocs. Not since Sarajevo or
snap back.
shghted party and disintegrating empire,
Munich has SO grave a peril been SO unap-
The Soviet president will not magically
and seem to-believe that the U.S., pros-
preciated by SO many.
rid the military, the KGB and the party of
trate. before the South Bronx, can pull
Though the press, intelligence agencies
institutional memory, because his infalli
these chestnuts from the fire with some
and shallow think tanks proffer triumpha-
beltocentric puffery. Are these not the
list analyses, this is only because institu-
tional needs. take precedence over the
The Stalinists whom
same people who call the U.S. an impotent
giant, who shrink at the thunder of Daniel
blaze of individual genius and the simple
Mr. Gorbachev has
Ortega, and dare not set foot in Beirut? El
light of the truth Institutional analysis
Salvador is too big a bite and should be left
tells us that the shah rules the Iran that
stuffed into deep and un-
to the locals, but the U.S.S.R. you do in the
conquered the Iraq that invaded the Saudi
Arabia that owns the America that, in the
pleasant buckets may
afternoon.
Vision is the word used by those who do
depression before the nuclear war, ran out
of resources just as President Dukakis vis-
burst from them as if shot
not comprehend what it is they do not have
to offer. Critics of President Bush's instinc-
ited Argentina, victor of the Falklands.
from a cannon.
And it tells us that Europe is safe.
tive caution, citing vision, have forced him
Consider nonetheless a short list of fun-
to compromise with negligence. One of the
damentals: the dissolution of the Soviet
bility is a wishful creation of the Western
Wise Men validating with his resume
Bloc, the centrifugality of the Soviet repub-
press: Though Mr. Gorbachev originally
America's insatiable desire to throw off its
called for the dissolution of the blocs, he
burdens is Robert McNamara, once a bur-
lics, and the demise of the Soviet econ-
reversed himself when he saw what he had
den himself. Despite nearly undiminished
omy.
wrought. Still, he says with baseless assur-
Soviet military capacity, he wants to cut
A Red Line
ance that "the 1990s promise to become the
the U.S. defense budget in half. His reck-
Vadim Medvedev, the Soviet Commu-
most fruitful period in the history of civili-
lessness is allowed the front page, as per-
nist Party's chief of ideology, believes that
zation," and I say that one must always
haps it should be, for as one of the chief
divisiveness in Soviet society and seces-
question the probity and permanence of
architects of both our gratuitous involve-
sionist trends in the republics are enough
anyone whose stability. depends upon in
ment in and unnecessary defeat by Viet-
in themselves to cause "the end of peres-
creasing his velocity.
nam, Mr McNamara should be closely
troika" and "our new role in the Interna-
The Stalinists whom Mr. Gorbachev has
watched so that the public may safely seek
tional community.' This is obviously a red
stuffed into deep and unpleasant buckets
the opposite of what he recommends.
line, and yet the country continues to
may burst from them as if shot from a
Gradually and Steadily
break apart not merely in protest of the
cannon. The smallest part of recent events
Reduction of forces should be conceived
forced unity of natural differences but be-
in East Europe would have been, a short
cause opportunity generates its own mo-
time ago, casus belli for the Soviet Union,
to take some strain off the Soviet economy
mentum.
justifying a full-scale invasion. Moreover,
while neither imperiling Western defense
the Soviets do not and cannot view German
(which a 50% cut obviously would) nor re-
The Soviets are attempting to restruc
ture a failed centralized economy by
reunification with America careless indif
quiring a change in the political structures
means of a centralized design-a strategy
ference.
it serves. for the preservation of NATO is
that needs no further comment-and they
Though the Franco-Prussian War and
essential-not SO much to meet contingen-
have no room for mistakes, no political or
two world wars were the result of heartfelt
cies as to deter them. The dissolution of
economic elasticity save their legendary
German ideals, slipshod European states
empire in the East, the e-integration of
ability to suffer. If Western economies
manship, and unintended consequences,
Central with Western Europe; the diminu-
stumble in the near future, the privations
the Germans still believe that purity of in-
tion of orders of battle, and the shifting of
of economic transition in the East will be
tention can remake the world. The concert
alignments must occur gradually. and
impossible to bear; in that the model for
of Europe that they wish to inspire is not
steadily if they are to last and not turn
which the East has undertaken to suffer
impossible, but it is improbable, and ef
shockingly bitter.
Photo Copy
will appear, justifiably or not, to have been
forts to achieve it more often than not put
If perestroika succeeds too well, a clas-
an illusion. Keep in mind that in the Soviet
disruptive strain upon the international
sic power rivalry will come into play, and
economy full employment comes first, and
system. This does not and will not matter
if it fails, ideological confrontation will re-
that the national unemployment rate is
to them, for their ethos is not to under-
turn What appears to some to be the con-
(unofficially 17%. Mr. Gorbachev can
stand that the perfect is the enemy of the
cert of Europe is merely a moment of re-
overcome all difficulties if he can deliver
good, but, rather, to pursue an ideal SO
lief within a moment of hesitation. Because
the economy, but he cannot deliver the
tensely that it shatters.
half the continent is in thrall, the other half
economy.
They are at it again, having virtually
should seek gravity, stability and continu-
The dissolution of the Warsaw Pact is
unified, as daily reportage attests. The
ity This means, among other things, rejec-
more acutely. damaging to Mr. Gorba-
Schengen talks on European Community
OF
tion of the premise and spur driving Mik-
chev's chances of survival than even the
open borders serve to query Bonn about
hall Gorbachev, who, to continue, must ac-
worsening consumer Ice age over which he
reunification; and in refusing to control the
celerate. It means awakening to the falla-
presides. He was not helped when West
inter-German border, Bonn has stated its
cies of hope. It means that the policy of
German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, on a trip
position unequivocally. If the counter revo
great nations and the fate of the West must
ostensibly to reassure the Poles, refused to
lution fails in the Soviet Union, either from
not be allowed to depend on the fortunes of
accept the immutability of the Polish-Ger
lack of boldness or too much of it, the
one man alone, no matter how positive his
man border: Fundamental Soviet interests
counter-counter-revolutionaries may be ob-
effect, for if the fate of the West rests upon
guarantee that the rise of Germany will
sessed with German ascendancy and take
one man. It rests upon a single bullet.
force a reassessment of the disintegration
the plunge to reclaim strategic depth. The
of the pact and the loss of buffer states,
Brezhnev Doctrine did not die with Brezh-
Mr. Helprin is a novelist and political
and with reassessment may come a
nev, just as it was not invented by him.
commentator. This is the latest of four ar-
change of personnel.
Should a Soviet revanche include the re
ticles that began in 1988 with "War in Eu-
Nonetheless conventional wisdom in
capture and repression of an East Ger
rope Thinking the Unthinkable."
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1989
EDITORIALS/COLUMNISTS
D1
The Washington Post
OUTLOOK
Commentary and Opinion
Photo Copy Preservation
WITHO
322
0
gain
WA
listed
ento
Human
AIR
PETER ALSBERG WASHINGTON POST
If Gorbachev Keeps Moving,
Europe is at stake-and with it the postwar divi-
This Is No Time for Talk
and it is of utmost importance for the solution of
sion of Europe. The central issue is whether the
both of them that they not be confused.
America Should Help Out
inevitable further changes will be peaceful or vit
The first is the short-term problem: that of pre-
olent.
Of German Reunification
serving sufficient stability throughout the Central
The Soviets hope they can get the situation un-
and Eastern European region over the coming
der control eventually by opening the social safety
weeks and months to give everyone time to ad-
By Zbigniew Brzezinski
valves. But I am not sure they understand the ex-
By George F. Kennan
dress themselves in a careful and orderly way to,
tent to which East Germany is an artifical entity.
the second and long-term problem, which will re-
HE REUNIFICATION of Germany is
HE CHANGES now sweeping over
They do not seem to recognize that the liberaliza-
quire much more time for its successful:treatment
the obsessive topic of conversation in
Central and Eastern Europe are mo-
Moscow these davs-iust as it is in
tion of the East German regime will, before long,
and should not be approached in haste or under
Vnt
mentous, irreversible and truly ep-
pressure
PETER WASHINGTON POST
If Gorbachev Keeps Moving,
Europe is at stake-and with it the postwar divi-
sion of Europe. The central issue is whether the
This Is No Time for Talk
and it is of utmost importance for the solution of
both of them that they not be confused.
inevitable further changes will be peaceful or vi-
The first is the short-term problem: that of pre-
America Should Help Out
olent.
Of German Reunification
serving sufficient stability throughout the Central
The Soviets hope they can get the situation un-
and Eastern European region over the coming
der control eventually by opening the social safety
weeks and months to give everyone time to ad-
By Zbigniew Brzezinski
valves. But I am not sure they understand the ex-
By George F. Kennan
dress themselves in a careful and orderly way to,
tent to which East Germany is an artifical entity.
the second and long-term problem, which will re-
HE REUNIFICATION of Germany is
HE CHANGES now sweeping over
They do not seem to recognize that the liberaliza-
quire much more time for its successful/treatment
the obsessive topic of conversation in
Central and Eastern Europe are mo-
tion of the East German regime will, before long,
and should not be approached in haste or under
Moscow these days-just as it is in
mentoùs, irreversible and truly ep-
undermine the existence of that regime. Yet they
och-making. They mark the end of a
pressure.
Warsaw and Paris. When'I left Mos-
had no response when the argument was made
This second problem cannot be described in a
cow 10 days ago, everyone was talk-
status quo that has existed in most of
that the termination of the division of Europe has
single sentence; it is too vast and too many-sided.
ing about the German problem, but
this region for four decades, and in
In essence, it involves not just the designing of a
photo
to be followed, even if not instantly accompanied,
nobody-at least officially-seemed
Russia for a full seven. Whatever else
by the termination of the division of Germany.
new status quo for the part of Europe mentioned
to know what to do about it.
may be said of them, it is safe to say
What worries Moscow is how fluid the situation
above but also the working out of a new political,
The Soviets simply do not know
that Europe will never again look as it
is: First the East German demand was for travel;
economic and security framework for much of the
how to contain the situation in East
has looked in all these years since the
then it became freiheit-freedom The day after
remainder of the European continent, to replace
Copy
Germany. They are giving ground to each new
end of World War II. And how this future Europe
tomorrow, it may be einheit-unity. While I was in
the old one, so deeply impregnated with Cold War'
development, including Thursday's announcement
will look is going to depend upon the quality of
Moscow, I noted to one Soviet leader that the
concepts and assumptions that are no longer ap-
that East Germany will open its borders. But be-
statesmanship-of thoughtfulness, of insight, of
name German Democratic Republic is outdated.
plicable.
neath this calm public response, there is grave
the balance of prudence and courage-that the
The GDR is not very democratic, it is becoming
This, as former German prime minister Helmut
concern about the scope of the German crisis and
less and less German and at some point soon it will
many governments prominently involved, including
Schmidt recently observed, is primarily a problem
Preservation
the degree to which it could become explosive.
our own, are able to bring to the shaping of it.
cease to be a separate republic. He smiled sadly.
for the Europeans themselves. They are the ones
That crisis has now reopened the German ques-
For ourselves, and for the other major powers of
The Soviets have been shocked by the realiza-
who will have to live with the solution;of it. We
tion. In turn, that means that the future of Central
both the NATO and the Warsaw Pacts, this situ-
tion of how unpopular and unstable the communist
cannot replace them in this primary responsibility;
ation presents two great and complex problems,
nor should we wish to. But a central component of
Zbigniew Brzezinski was national security adviser
regimes in Eastern Europe have become, As a con-
in the Carter administration. This article is based
sequence they are prepared to accept some new
George Kennan is a retired professor at the
this long-term problem will bei the/future of the
on a trip report he prepared after visiting the Soviet
formula for Hungary and Poland-and even Czech-
Institute for Advanced Study and author of
North Atlantic alliance; and we, as the leading
Union from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.
See MOSCOW, D2, Col. 1
"Sketches From a Life.'
See GERMANY, D2, Col. 1
MARY McGRORY
'Little Miss Smith,' You're Not Alone
The Ordeal of Kitty Dukakis
Perhaps We Who ve Been Homeless Too Can Help Save the Boarder Babies
inanimate, unfeeling thing, in one foster
is stocky, like a little football player, and
HE DISTRESSFUL news about
to end a thirst or end her life? The only
By Pia McKay
home after another? Will they shift from
surprisingly strong. A young man comes in
T
Kitty Dukakis, who was rushed to
certainty is that she wanted the world to
school to school, constantly losing friends
and swoops the ecstatic McFadden into his
the hospital after she drank
know how unhappy she is.
rubbing alcohol, is another sad chapter
O
N FRIDAYS, for, most of this sum-
until they lose the knack of friendship? Will
arms, whisking him out for a tour of the
Her misery may baffle other women.
mer and fall, Itraveled by Metro to
they, growing bigger, wind up as I did in
corridors. When the man brings him back,
in the post-election saga of the Dukakis
She is pretty, talented, charming, adored
D.C. General Hospital. I volunteered
huge, understaffed institutions where, in-
McFadden weeps unconsolably. "Oh, he just
family. Last February, Kitty Dukakis got
by her husband, surrounded by
there with the boarder babies, those in-
stead of talking with their mothers, they
likes to be held," snorts the young man,
institutional care for alcoholism.
eminently satisfactory children. Her
fants, who, if they could talk, would call the
will make appointments with social work-
leaving, as if a baby's desire to be held were
She's coming out of her latest
days are full. She makes speeches,
hospital "home." Some of them have never
ers; where their errant parents will casually
of small account.
There is Smitty, sweet and gentle. He is
difficulty amid a clamor of public
travels, is fussed over, applauded. It is in
been outdoors, never seen the sky. They
"get in touch" only to disappear heartbreak-
have known no mother. All they know is
ingly again? And then, at last, will they, as I
crying, too. The moment I pick him up, he
speculation. The most harrowing
a way an extension of the campaign,
rumor-that her husband would
that a series of people come and go, picking
did, "graduate" into the world, never having
gives me a big, gummy smile. There is little
which she loved.
them up, talking to them, feeding and dress-
known love, never having been needed for
Miss Smith, propped up on her elbows, a
resign-was put down. Was she trying
All the aspects of her life add up to
ing them and then putting them back in
the love they had to give; not knowing they
beauty with her big, brown eyes. The small
Mary McGrory is a Washington Post
quite a bit for those viewing it from the
their cribs to cry to no avail.
are worth anything at all?
card attached to her crib reads: HIV pos-
columnist.
See McGRORY, D5, Col. 4
The babies' highly distinctive personal-
I shake these thoughts away. The babies
itive.
ities are already emerging. With their tiny
are all beautiful. They look out curiously,
Each 3-by-5 crib, card tells a grim story.
hands and arms, they reach out-often only
like prisoners, from between the slats of
The boarder babies have no first names.
to meet the empty air. They get bored,
their cribs.
Most have been born to drug-addicted
Inside Najibullah's Regime
frustrated and, cruelest of all, lonely.
McFadden is crying. Eight months old, he
mothers; usually crack. Each time the
An eerie feeling creeps over me. "Here
mother got high, heart pounding, blood
are the youngest of the homeless," I say to
rushing to her head, her baby got high. Her
myself.
high lasted about half an hour; her baby's
about 79 hours. And seldom is merely one
them can be solved, or usefully treated, in-
and particularly with other groups of pow-
lishments have to be kept in existence until
ers organized in the two alliances. The Ger-
they can be examined under a wider focus
dependently of the remainder of them.
Their solution will require a great deal of
mans could not unilaterally disarm these
than the conditions of this day permit, there
study, of preliminary discussion and ulti-
forces or cause them to disappear even in
PHOTO BY ROBERT LUNOW FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
is no reason why the forces they now have
mately of negotiation. The questions at
the physical sense. Even less could they
deployed in the center of Europe, already
unilaterally disregard, nor would they want
the necessity of an alternative framework of
itarized one, standing alone in Europe, and
grossly exhorbitant in relation to any de-
hand are ones of great historical depth.
to disregard, the contractual framework by
security for the entire continent. At the
not firmly embraced in some wider inter-
monstrable need, should not be greatly re-
Whoever undertakes the study of them (and
which the presence of those forces is sup-
center of the search for this alternative
national structure-some structure that
duced. That in itself would improve the at-
that means all of us) is going to find himself
confronting situations to which better an-
ported. Beyond which, the very profiles of
must stand-Germany. That country is now
would absorb its energies and, by doing so,
mosphere for the more wide-ranging explo-
these great armies, in East as in West, are
the gathering point of by far the greater
give reassurance to Germany's neighbors.
rations of the requirements for Europe's
swers should have been found, but weren't,
now under negotiation among some 28
part of the armed strength of the continent.
But if Germany is to be embraced in some
future security that await our attention.
at the end of the last world war, and even
countries. No German unification would be
Its geographic position and its economic
wider structure (and the possibilities of this
A major requirement for progress in this
some (arising from the break-up of the
even thinkable without widespread agree-
capacities will give it the central position in
seem greater today than they did four dec-
direction would be, however, a departure by
Austro-Hungarian Empire) left unresolved
ment among all these parties, individually
any new framework of security that may be
ades ago), there then arises the question:
Washington and its leading NATO allies
in 1918 and 1919.
or collectively as members of one or anoth-
devised. The problems that present them-
Should Germany enter this larger structure
from the silly belief that NATO's most ur-
So complex, and so profound in its impli-
cations is the task of designing this new
er of the alliances, about the disposition and
selves in the relationships of the two parts
as a united entity? Or would it not be better,
gent task is to frustrate an attack on West-
political control of these forces.
of Germany to each other and to their
and even more reassuring to others, if the
ern Europe by a militant Soviet Union, ac-
Europe that it will not be accomplished at
neighbors are not ones that can be solved
two parts of that country, while culturally
companied by its supposedly faithful and
any one time, or subsumed in any single
ew would deny that the system of
F
other than in relation to that new, and pre-
and economically united, were to enter it as
equally militant Warsaw Pact allies. We
document or settlement. We are talking
alliances on which European security
sumably wider, security framework.
separate political entities as they are today?
must prepare instead for a searching exam-
here of an edifice that will have to rest on
has rested in these last three and a
The principle by which most of us were
It is precisely these questions, the an-
ination of the ways in which Europe's se-
many foundations. The erection of it will
half decades, rooted as it is in Cold War as-
Photo
guided when we found ourselves faced, 40
swers to which will depend upon the nature
curity is to be achieved in an age where the
take years, not months. We will be lucky if
sumptions which most of us would recog-
years ago, with the problem of Germany's
of the wider security arrangements for Eu-
great enemy is not the Soviet Union but the
the task is substantially accomplished be-
nize today as extensively undermined, is
future was this: that there must not again
rope, that will have to be worked out; and
rapid deterioration of our planet. as a sup-
fore the end of the century.
rapidly becoming obsolescent. This implies
be a united Germany and particularly a mil-
the one process must not precede the oth-
porting structure for civilized life.
Copy
worsening of the economic situation makes
Europe, some responded: Ah, yes, but we
than 4,000 Polish officers were slaughtered
Should America Help?
me expect a deepening crisis of the system.
can share our ancient Russian spiritual val-
by Stalin's secret police in 1940.
The dominant impression I took from my
ues!
The real danger to perestroika, I think, is
conversations with Soviet officials, intellec-
Ideologically, I sensed a total demoral-
that it will simply drown in the morass of
tuals and a few average citizens was of a
ization. No ideological tenet is sacred. Le-
Soviet incompetence and Russian tradi-
MOSCOW, From D1
ment to traditional messianism.
growing sense of anxiety. They eagerly ac-
ninism is given lip service, largely because
tion-or degenerate into chaos, When I was
But there was a sense, too, of a leadership
cepted any criticism of the Soviet Union, its
that still provides some degree of legitima-
(slovakia. I gave a speech at the Diplomatic
asked for advice, I said that the Gorbachev
overcome by problems, pressed down by
current reality or itsiipast. Only once o
cy for the system. In fact, the substance of
Academy in Moscow and said that Czech-
leadership needs to accelerate the process
inertia.
twice did I hear some defense of Leninism.
most political ideas being discussed these
The Soviets are reeling these days, as
of change and to define more explicitly its
oslovakia has at the very most a year or so
Everyone seemed worried about the future,
days is closer to social democracy, or Men-
before it goes the way of Hungary and Po-
much from their own internal economic
direction, SO that the Soviet people will
some even spoke about an approaching ca-
shevism.
have some vision of a more constructive
land. I got no disagreement.
problems as from the political revolution
tastrophe. Explicit analogies were drawn by
The Western pluralist system is acknowl-
future-a vision more concretely defined.
On Eastern Europe, the Soviet attitude
that is sweeping Eastern Europe. I had a
one or two interlocutors with "the time of
edged implicitly as the superior system.
To be specific: The time is approaching
seems to be that any kind of internal change
sense of a leadership overcome by problems
troubles" in the early 17th century.
There is still some pensive talk of "social-
when the Soviet leadership must state ex-
is acceptable in Poland and Hungary (and
and of a pervasive social atmosphere of fa-
ism," and the habit of thinking in such rig-
n discussing the nationalities problem,
plicitly that its objective is to transform the
perhaps East Germany)-so long as these
tigue and even despair. What struck me
I viet hosts was "give us time. In other
idly conceptual terms is deeply ingrained.
countries remain within the Warsaw Pact. I
especially was the gap between political
the predominant attitude among my So-
Soviet Union into a multiparty democracy,
But the substance is clearly being diluted.
ferment and political change on one hand
based on the market system and organized
suspect that the Soviets do not at this stage
One Soviet adviser to Gorbachev even re-
words, give us a chance for reforms, and
as a confederation: Anything less than that
want the reforms in Poland or Hungary to
and economic stagnation and decay on the
ferred, for example, to the possibility that
fail, because this could have a very negative
other, These trends seem to be moving in
maybe the national issue will somehow dis-
is likely to simply perpetuate the present
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
opposite directions,
sipate. I also sensed an intensification of
state of confusion, and make the resolution
impact on perestroika. This gives the West a
soon might even be changing its name,
Russian nationalism, a reaffirmation of tra-
of ongoing problems more difficult.
Politically, I think a breakthrough of sorts
One surprising change is that the Soviet
great deal of latitude in what it can do to
has occurred. Everyone talks very openly
ditional Russian values sensitivity to
mass media are now competitive, in a style
help the Hungarians and the Poles:
any criticism directed at Russia itself. Gor-
T
he time may also be coming when we
and nothing is taboo; the discussion is fo-
somewhat reminiscent of the American
in the United States should begin to
he Soviets, in fact, would probably
cused on how to democratize the Soviet
bachev's key foreign policy adviser, Alex-
press, When a "celebrity" appears in Mos-
think about how we might help per-
T
Union. Even a multiparty system is no long-
ander Yakovlev, particularly reflected that
like Western help to be extended to
cow, they all chase him and compete for
estroika, in a way that will not damage us if
them, too, One could sense a pleading
er excluded-though it certainly is not Im-
in his discussion with of the national
interviews. I was repeatedly told by differ-:
Gorbachev is overthrown.
minent, At the same time, the predominant
problem and in his evident resentment of
tone in their repeated Inquiries about my
ent Soviet newspapers how many more
The problem with perestroika has been
reality is that of economic deterioration, of
Polish demands for reparations for Stalinist
readers they had than their rivals and why I
that it begs the question: perestrolka of
views on perestroika and whether, in some
a massive and appalling backwardness and
crimes
should therefore give them an interview
what to what? If Gorbachev continues to
fashion, the West could help. Their major
even poverty. Socio-economically, the So-
Russian nationalism seemed in evidence
first, There is great fascination with "ene-
talk about revitalizing "socialism," he will
concern is stability and the preservation of
viet Union gives one the overwhelming Im-
everywhere, It surfaced in the poems being
my". views, including mine. People were
not inspire enthusiasm at home or trust
some sort of East bloc alliance system-
pression of a stagnant Third World country.
read on the Arbat. It emerged injmy con-
citing my previous writings-pointing out,
abroad. But we should encourage the So-
with unlimited toleration for Internal
This contrast between a political situa-
versations with Russian officals on the sub-
for example, that I had predicted years ago
viets to believe that if they make fundamen-
change-unless it assumes explicitly "anti-
tion which is becoming more dynamic-
ject of. Gorbachev's "common European
that the national problem in the Soviet
tal changes, they too will be part of the new
Russian" manifestations. Some Soviet offi-
though its dynamism is still uninstitution-
house.' When I remarked that the Soviets,
Union would become acute. To my surprise,
alignment that is taking shape in Europe.
cials even spoke explicitly of the need to get
alized and a basic commitment to genuine
with their Third World living standards,
Soviet TV even gave extensive coverage to
We have to say to the Russians: If you bite
rid of the empire and of the costly commit-
democracy has not been made-and the
might not have much to offer the rest of
my visit to the Katyn Forest, where more
the bullet, we will be ready to help you.
11
perience of World War II. Struggle
a center of light industry, Ivanovo had a
nored the nostrums of the planning system.
"The customer IS God," says Kabaidze.
John Kiser runs a company that acquires
of the most existential nature began in
reputation in the postwar Soviet Union as a
He refused to make products specified by
"My success came because I thought hor-
rights to Eastern bloc high technology. He is
1942 when a 17-year-old Kabaidze went
"city of women." The men were off else-
the plan unless they were needed by his
izontally, not vertically. I worked to make
the author of "Communist Entrepreneurs,"
into the infantry to fight the Germans.
where, working in heavy industry.
customers. Nor would he accept Soviet-sup-
my customers satisfied, not my bureaucrat-
published by Franklin Watts, from which
Kabaidze, three times wounded, was one of
The plant that Kabaidze had been asked
plied equipment if it was not up to world
ic bosses. In the end, it was my customers
this article is adapted.
two soldiers to survive in a unit that fought
to direct had been marked for light, simple
standards. He was even accused of being
who protected me."
er. Anything else could create complica-
Reunification? Not Yet
tions that no one would wish to invite but
that no one might see the way to avoid. It is
for this reason that even if the liberalization
of political conditions in Eastern Europe
GERMANY, From D1
It is none too early to start the thinking
were to progress in the near future to a
that will have to go into this great effort.
power in that grouping, cannot avoid a
point where they were little different from
But it is important, at the same time, that
measure of involvement. To meet that re-
the conditions prevailing in the German
the excitements of the moment do not rush
Federal Republic, this would of itself be no
ОДОЦЕ!
sponsibility is going to take a great deal
us into hasty and unthought-through deci-
reason for an immediate German unifica-
more, in the way of thought and discus-
sions, or even discussions, that could prej-
tion; and this is, therefore, not the time to
sion-discussion among ourselves, but also
udice an ultimately sound resolution of any
raise the subject:
with the Europeans, including the Rus-
of the major questions involved.
Copy
sians-than we have given it to date.
The best example of this danger will be
hat this problem involves is tre-
found in the loose talk that has marked the
Visit
0
ur immediate problem is to see how
the process of change now overtak-
W
mendous in scope and difficulty. It
discussion of recent days about German
ing the countries of the eastern part
of Europe, and the adjustment of their re-
involves the relationship of East-
reunification. Many people talk about this as
institute
if it were something that would or could
lations with Russia which these changes
Preservation
em Europe, economically and politically, to
easily and naturally flow from any extensive
and in
involve, can be eased in a manner conducive
the European Community. It involves the
liberalization of conditions in East Germany.
that
as
$
to the peace and security of the continent in
future of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
This view takes little account of the true
name 160000
the immediately forthcoming period-so
It involves the military arrangements now
pertaining in the center of the European
depths of the problem. There must now be
that time can be won for the far more ar-
something well over a million armed men on
duous and lengthy process of finding a new
continent. It involves the various negotia-
German territory, with all their elaborate
European order. The best contribution this
tions now in progress over the conventional
arms balance in Europe. It involves the re-
modern equipment and, in the case of our-
country and its leading NATO allies can
lationship between the two parts of Ger-
selves and the Russians, with nuclear as
make to this immediate task will be to in-
well as conventional weapons. These forces
tensify their efforts to achieve far-reaching
many, and the attitudes to be taken toward
the possibility, and desirability, of their uni-
are there not by the will of the German au-
reductions of conventional arms in Europe.
thorities alone but by elaborate and long-
If, pending wider agreements, the two al-
fication
These problems are all of a part. None of
standing agreements with other powers,
liances and their respective military estab-
and particularly with other groups of pow-
lishments have to be kept in existence until
them can be solyed, or usefully treated, in-
dependently of the remainder of them.
ers organized in the two alliances. The Ger-
they can be examined under a wider focus
Their solution will require a great deal of
mans could not unilaterally disarm these
than the conditions of this day permit, there
PHOTO
BY
ROBERT
LUNOW
FOR
THE
WASHINGTON
POST
forces or cause them to disappear even in
is no reason why the forces they now have
study, of preliminary discussion and ulti-
mately of negotiation. The questions at
the physical sense. Even less could they
deployed in the center of Europe, already
unilaterally disregard, nor would they want
the necessity of an alternative framework of
itarized one, standing alone in Europe, and
grossly exhorbitant in relation to any de-
hand are ones of great historical depth.
to disregard, the contractual framework by
security for the entire continent. At the
not firmly embraced in some wider inter-
monstrable need, should not be greatly re-
Whoever undertakes the study of them (and
which the presence of those forces is sup-
center of the search for this alternative
national structure-some structure that
duced. That in itself would improve the at-
that means all of us) is going to find himself
ported. Beyond which, the very profiles of
must stand-Germany. That country is now
would absorb its energies and, by doing so,
mosphere for the more wide-ranging explo-
confronting situations to which better an-
these great armies, in East as in West, are
the gathering point of by far the greater
give reassurance to Germany's neighbors.
rations of the requirements for Europe's
swers should have been found, but weren't,
now under negotiation among some 28
part of the armed strength of the continent.
But if Germany is to be embraced in some
future security that await our attention.
at the end of the last world war, and even
countries. No German unification would be
Its geographic position and its economic
wider structure (and the possibilities of this
A major requirement for progress in this
some (arising from the break-up of the
even thinkable without widespread agree-
capacities will give it the central position in
seem greater today than they did four dec-
direction would be, however, a departure by
Austro-Hungarian Empire) left unresolved
ment among all these parties, individually
any new framework of security that may be
ades ago), there then arises the question:
Washington and its leading NATO allies
in 1918 and 1919.
or collectively as members of one or anoth-
devised. The problems that present them-
Should Germany enter this larger structure
from the silly bëlief that NATO's most ur-
So complex, and so profound in its impli-
er of the alliances, about the disposition and
selves in the relationships of the two parts
as a united entity? Or would it not be better,
gent task is to frustrate an attack on West-
cations is the task of designing this new
political control of these forces.
of Germany to each other and to their
and even more reassuring to others, if the
ern Europe by a militant Soviet Union, ac-
Europe that it will not be accomplished at
neighbors are not ones that can be solved
two parts of that country, while culturally
companied by its supposedly faithful and
any one time, or subsumed in any single
ew would deny that the system of
F
other than in relation to that new, and pre-
and economically united, were to enter it as
equally militant Warsaw Pact (allies. We
document or settlement. We are talking
alliances on which European security
sumably wider; security framework.
separate political entities as they are today?
must prepare instead for a searching exam-
here of an:edifice that will have to rest on
has rested in these last three and a
The principle by which most of us were
It is precisely these questions, the an-
ination of the ways in which Europe's se-
many foundations. The erection of it will
half decades, rooted as it is in Cold War as-
guided when we found ourselves faced, 40
swers to which will depend upon the nature
curity is to be achieved in an age where the
take years, not months. We will be lucky if
sumptions which most of us would recog-
years ago, with the problem of Germany's
of the wider security arrangements for Eu-
great enemy is not the Soviet Union but the
the task is substantially accomplished be-
nize today as extensively undermined, is
future was this: that there must not again
rope, that will have to be worked out; and
rapid deterioration of our planet as a sup-
fore the end of the century.
rapidly becoming obsolescent. This implies
be a united Germany, and particularly a mil-
the one process must not precede the oth-
porting structure for civilized life.
worsening of the economic situation makes
Europe, some responded: Ah, yes, but we
than 4,000 Polish officers were slaughtered
Should America Help?
me expect a deepening crisis of the system.
can share our ancient Russian spiritual val-
by Stalin's secret police in 1940.
The dominant impression I took from my
ues!
The real danger to perestroika, I think, is
conversations with Soviet officials, intellec-
Ideologically, I sensed a total demoral-
that it will simply drown in the morass of
tuals and a few average citizens was of a
ization. No ideological tenet is sacred. Le-
Soviet incompetence and Russian tradi-
ment to traditional messianism.
MOSCOW, From D1
growing sense of anxiety. They eagerly ac-
ninism is given lip service, largely because
tion-or degenerate into chaos. When I was
But there was a sense, too, of a leadership
cepted any criticism of the Soviet Union, its
that still provides some degree of legitima-
asked for advice, I said that the Gorbachev
slovakia. I gave a speech at the Diplomatic
overcome by problems, pressed down by
current reality or its past. Only once or
cy for the system. In fact, the substance of
leadership needs to accelerate the process
Academy in Moscow and said that Czech-
inertia.
twice did I hear some defense of Leninism.
most political ideas being discussed these
of change and to define more explicitly its
oslovakia has at the very most a year or so
The Soviets are reeling these days, as
Everyone seemed worried about the future,
days is closer to social democracy, or Men-
direction, so that the Soviet people will
before it poes the way of Hungary and Pn-
much from their own internal economic
come
spoke
about
an
annroaching
ca-
shevism.
have some vision of a more constructive
al
Steps to German Unity: Bonn as a Power
first anti-drug cartel
id
The final document issued by the
a
conference included few specific eco-
se
nomic, military or law-enforcement
tht
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
m
with MICHAEL R. GORDON
Accord on Europe
inevitable reunification of Germany
agreements. And as expected,- Mr.
In these latter negotiations, the
Bush left Colombia,after, the nine and
ite
Specialto The New York Times
Anatomy of a Decision
Four once the undisputed
without offering any
as
WASHINGTON Feb.
Germany's
the billion,
to
Bonn-as
Tuesday
rt-
equal. West Germany used its weight
gional aid program he has already sent
from-the 23 NATO,
to Congress.
sion
nations milled around hall of
tion of several-days-ofr behind-the-
In world affairs, as well as the political
The final document did not discuss
to
the Ottawa Congress Center, the Soviet
scenes diplomacy that was kept secret
momentum of change within its bor-
that aid program, which I alreadyl
Foreign Minister, Eduard A. Shevard-
not only from the public but from many
ders and In East Germany to help
under attack by Democrate
nadze and Secretary of State James A.
allied governments as well. The talks
shape many of the terms of the Ottawa
Joseph
TI
Baker 3d stood off in a corher, whisper-
resulted in a new United States-Soviet
framework for determining how
led
chairman of the Senate Judiciary Com-
da;
Ing to one another through Russian
Understanding on troop levels-in Eu-
united Germany will fit Into a post cold
co-
mittee, has offered his own program,
IBC
for-
translator.
rope.
war European order
which would shift Mr. Bush's emphasis
H
re-
Mr. Shevardnadze reported that the
But probably more important, they
How It Happened
on military and law-enforcement pro-
Soviet Union would back down and ac-
also resulted in an arrangement for
H
cept President Bush's proposal for
how the four World War II Allies
A reconstruction of the negotiations,
grams to economic aid.
es-
B S.
Britain, France, the United States and
based on dozens of interviews today
Lunch at Naval Academy
ent
troop cuts in Europe, which would
1
leave the United States with a 30,000-
the Soviet Union - would deal with the
and in recent weeks, found these steps:
The four leaders met for nearly three
liti-
JUB
man advantage.
other major development on the conti-
9Bush Administration officials
hours and then ate lunch together
P
nent: negotiations for a seemingly
worked behind the scenes to consult
This conversation was the culmina-
under heavy guard in the Naval Acad-
cap
separately with British, French and
emy of Cartagena, a coastal city that
pr
West German leaders to forge a.con-
was flooded with the most Intensive se-
oju
sensus on dealing with German unifica-
curity ever mounted for a trip by Mr.
tion, before discussing the matter with
Bush: Thousands of Colombian soldiers
Buja
Moscow
guarded the streets of Cartagena and
th
9Britain, France and the Sovlet
stood guard in the trees on the edge of
Union Initially preferred that the four
the airport runways in this city 60
arior
Allied powers discuss the future of Ger-
miles to the southwest, where Mr. Bush
Fede
many among themselves and not; at
landed and took off
first, with the Germans but Wash-
The President roared into the meet-
Ington talked them into bringing the
ing site in fleet of three Marine Corps
Germans in from the start.
helicopters, which skimmed the tree-
JOnce the Germans were brought
tops and conducted a series of high-
ase
into the process, Bonn insisted on ex-
speed maneuvers to foll any possible
cluding the other nations of the 16.
attack. Colombian and United States
thes
member North Atlantic Treaty Organi-
warships patrolled offshore while
zation from these' discussions. The
United States counterterrorist units
West Germans, in a bit of muscle flex-
and frogmen guarded the land and sea
un W
ing, wqanted to make It clear that they
approaches to the meeting site.
would deal only with those Allied
In between meetings, Mr. Bush and
yın
Continued on Page A9, Column
Continued on Page A12, Column I
In Bonn's Parliament, Insults
Fly in Debate on Unification
source
By SERGE SCHMEMANN
Specialto The Now York Times
BONN, Feb. 15 Catcalls and
Democrats and the Social Democrats
charges echoed through the West Ger-
of burying German unity under a
man Parliament today as it gave a
"brutal party fight for power."
rowdy and heated foretaste of the do-
The exchanges were as fierce as any
mestic political struggle shaping over
seen on the Parliament's floor, and the
German unity.
Speaker; Rita Sussmuth, was often
Among many exchanges of Insults,
hard pressed to restore order, She ap-
Novesti
Press
opposition Social Democrats called
pealed to the members of Parliament
sign in Troubled Sovlet Republic
Chancellor Helmut Kohl a rabble-
"to give a model for democracy to the
nbe, the capital of the
Party and government leaders, the press agency
rouser and accused him of handling
people of East Germany."
oviet troops on Wednes-
Tass said, submitted their resignations after nearly a
reunification as his private business.
The formal agenda of the session
The Christian Democrats retallated
of the Communist Party,
week of violence that left at least 18 dead. Page A8.
was to hear Mr. Kohl's report on
with salvos aimed at the former rela-
progress toward unification. "We have
tions between the Social Democrats
never been SO close to our goal, the
and the East German Communist
unity of all Germans in freedom, as we
From Reagan Iran-Contra Testimony
party, focusing on a declaration of joint
are today," the Chancellor said.
goals the two parties signed two years
He halled President Mikhall S. Gor-
ago.
bachev, the Soviet leader, for opening
Greene, came on the same day that the
The Justice Department said the in-
'Brutal Party Fight for Power'
the door to reunification by declaring
Bush Administration joined Mr. Rea-
formation in the diary entries was
last Saturday that it was for the Ger-
gan's efforts to try to shield Mr. Rea-
Federal
available elsewhere, "most specifi-
Alfred Dregger, the Christian Demo-
mans to decide their future, and he
gan's diaries from public scrutiny. The
cally from the oral testimony of the for-
crats' floor leader, shouted at the oppo-
thanked West Germany's Western
ews or-
Administration asserted executive
mer President himself," an apparent
sition that "for a long time you were at
allies for standing by. It through the
m being
privilege, as Mr. Reagan had already
reference to Mr. Reagan's deposition
peace with the wall and barbed wire."
years of the cold war.
resident
done, to prevent the disclosure of the
d under
that is to come Friday.
He said the Social Democrats' leader,
Mr. Kohl sought to reassure East
former President's White House dia-
Judge Greene ruled two weeks ago
Hans Jochen Vogel, was behaving
S role in
ries that might be related to the case.
that Mr. Reagan must turn over some
"with the sourness of a petty book-
Continued on Page A8, Column 1
je judge
Presidents have cited the privilege in
ed video-
diary excerpts, but said he is reconsid-
keeper to the historical successes for
an effort to keep private documents se-
ering because Mr. Reagan's lawyers
the future of Germany. # NW snow
THE NEW YORK
cret, saying that overwhelming need
From the environmentalist Greens,
TIMES available
evoked executive privilege in refusing
for home office
irold H.
for them must be demonstrated.
to comply. Judge Greene said later that
Will Hoss accused both the Christian
delivery in most
major U.S. cities.
IN WOOD-
CONGRATULATIONS SMITH COLLEGE! THE
Mr. Reagan's claim of executive privi-
JEWISH WOMEN/GIRLS REMEMBER TO LIGHT
Please call this tall--
Ing complete
largest capital campaign ever mounted by liberal arts col-
Shabbat candles 18 minutos before sunset. In NYC 5:13.
free number: 1-800-
For million!-- ADVT.
Continued on Page A18, Column 4
Info 1-718-774-2060-ADVT
07
631-2500
ADVT.
Photo copy Preservation
for
indepeno
decision on secession not to an individ-
German aggression will be understood
to give up the party
mentary vote that ended its 20 years of
ence, the Latvian Parliament's deci-
In a visit to Lithuania last month,
ual republic but to the Soviet legisla-
and supported, for other reasons, by
tutional monopoly on political power. 13
independence brought the republic into
sion to demand an independent state
President Mikhail S. Gorbachev said
ture.
Germany's other European neighbors,
criticism of the party has become sur-
which remember what such aggression
prisingly open.
"I think the C.P.S.U. is unable tc
break with its past,' Mikhail Chulaki,
The Germans
non-Communist, wrote in the weeklyss
Moscow News this week, using the ini-38
tials for the Communist Party of the
Soviet Union. "Was there ever a 'van't
In Bonn's Parliament, Insults
guard role?' When? Under Stalin
under Khrushchev, under Brezhnev.
Le., under regimes that either dripped
Fly in Debate on Unification
with blood or were more liberal but al-of
ways totalitarian.'
Now, with the economy in a sham
bles, the Communist Party's authority
Continued From Page Al
The prospect of the economic union
rapidly vanishing, separatism growing
of the Germanys has shaken bond
in at least 6 of the 15 constituent repub-
Germans that they will not be swal-
markets, pushing Interest rates high-
lics and Soviet military might irrele-
er. Business Day, page DI.
lowed up in the drive toward reunifica-
vant to any conceivable solution; Mr. 5
tion, and West Germans that the costs
Gorbachev has apparently decided?
That stance drew heated attacks in
that he cannot save the system that
involved will not affect their social
Parliament today from the opposition
held the country together by force for [1
benefits.
"What is at stake here is not the ab-
70 years.
"Our compatriots in the G.D.R. can
gai
sorption of the G.D.R. or a territory
nem
be sure of our solidarity," he said.
without government," Mr. Vogel de-
clared, intimating that this was Mr.
Economic Bid to West
edip
"And to fellow citizens in West Germa-,
ny, I want to say that our social net will
Kohl's goal. "What we face here is unit-
The question, in many minds,
be tightly knit in the future."
ing with a people that has won its free-
whether he can even get it to survive,
dom by itself.'
long enough to replace it with a freen
High Stakes, Aggressive Race
Opposition legislators also inter-
economic and political system capable)
But during Mr. Kohl's address the
rupted with jeers that Mr. Kohl had
of being integrated with the Western,
been "too friendly" with the now-dis
economy. Prime Minister Nikolai the
catcalls began, demonstrating how
graced East German leader, Erich Ho-
Ryzhkov, on a visit to Australia this
inextricably the process toward reuni-
necker, who visited Bonn two years
week, said that he hoped that the Soviet
fication has become enmeshed in the
photo
ago.
Union could be ready by 1995, but that
heated election campaigns of both East
and West Germany.
The Heavy Part of History
full integration might take 10 to 15,
years.
Both the Christian Democrats and
Mr. Kohl yelled back: "Do you want
Reuters
"They can't force it," a Western dip-
the Social Democrats have effectively
me to read out your joint statement?
Chancellor Helmut Kohl of West Germany, left,
Genscher, the only speaker to win the applause of
lomat said. "They can only get it
usurped the campaign toward the East
Only a few weeks ago you were against
was at the center of a stormy Parliament discussion
German elections on March 18, fielding
unity."
the full house, said unity, of the two Germanys "is
through cooperation.
copy
surrogate parties and campaigning ar-
To this, Mr. Vogel shot back that the
on reunification. Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich
Thus, he explained, Moscow has one
reachable only on the basis of total equality."
more reason not to stand in the way of
dently for them. Mr. Kohl plans the
Christian Democrats were the only
unification of the two Germanys; which
first of six campaign appearances next
party supporting a "former block
together constitute a little less than
Tuesday in Erfurt, and all leaders of
party." The East German Christian
Honecker Says He Takes Blame for 89 Vote Fraud
one-sixth of total Soviet foreign tradevo
the Social Democrats will be criss-
Democrats, a party which the West
"Would they rather have 77 million
Preservation
crossing East Germany on the stump.
German Christian Democrats support,
Germans with them or against them?
After March 18, the race will shift to
was for the past 40 years one of the
this diplomat asked rhetorically. MOTOR
the West German elections on Dec. 2.
small political organizations main
But Soviet officials concede; private-C
The winner will probably be the first
tained as window dressing by the Com-
By FERDINAND PROTZMAN,
munists.
Special to The New York Times
Responsibility
sion that validated the May elections.
ly, that they lost control over events in
chancellor of a reunited Germany.
Mr. Krenz was ousted from office later
Germany in-October, when Erich Ho-
Such high stakes have insured a
As in the past, the only speaker to
BONN, Feb. 15 Erich Honecker
highly aggressive race, made all the
win the applause of the full house was
the former East German leader, took
but no criminal
last year.
necker lost control to the demonstra
The concern about voting fraud is
tors in the streets in Leipzig and East
more SQ by the fact that the major par-
Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich Gen-
political responsibility today for vote
fraud in local elections last year as well
intent, East
being fed by an increase in political
Berlin.
ties are now essentially agreed on the
scher, who has earned general respect
tensions ahead of East Germany's first
Threat of 'the Streets'
need for rapid unity. The exchanges in
for consistently predicting that Mr.
as the nation's current crisis, but
free elections, scheduled for March 18.
Parliament indicate that both parties
Gorbachev would be the key to Ger-
denied any criminal guilt.
German says.
The voters, who previously could only
will try to take credit for unity and to
man unity, and for shaping the agree-
Mr. Honecker's admission was read
The streets here have begun 15/1972 to be:
cast ballots for candidates from the
depict the other as soft on unity and as
ments with the World War II Allies that
on national television this evening by
Communist Party or the four small
trouble, On Feb. 4;as many as half
a fellow traveler of the old Govern
have cleared the way for reunfication.
Rainer Eppelmann, a pastor and lead:
Mr. Eppelmann, a Protestant minis-
parties that were its docile allies, will
a million people took to the squares of
ment.
"The unity of the two Germanys is
ing figure in the oppostion group Demo-
Moscow in support of various causes,
cratic Awakening He said Mr. Ho-
ter and the best-known member of
be confronted by an array of parties.
reachable only on the basis of total
including faster change. On Feb. 26, the
Implications for West Germany
equality," Mr. Genscher said, drawing
necker had issued the statement from
Democratic Awakening, has assisted
The March elections will be over-
masses are expected to converge on
West German officials are also talk
a burst of applause.
another pastor's home, where he is
public prosecutors in the widening in-
shadowed by a single dominating issue,
the capital again, and some Commu
ing about the possibility that the timing
"West Germany must offer freedom,
staying while awaiting trial on charges
quiry into vote manipulation in those
reunification of the two Germanys.
nist officials fear that eventually, fithe
of unification could have important
unity-democracy and social justice.
of treason, misrule and corruption.
elections by the East German Commu-
Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who wel-
streets" will go out of control
repercussions on West German poli-
But the G.D.R. does not come this way
After reiterating his admission
nist Party.
comed Mr. Honecker on the East Ger-
In Azerbaijan, Tadzhikistan and
tics. If unification is achieved by this
with empty hands. The people there
political responsibility for East. Ger
Lothar Reuter, the Deputy Prosecu-
man leader's trip to West Germany in
Armenia, they already have, and the
fall, it is possible that East Germans
carried the heavy portion of German
many's troubles, Mr. Honecker (said,
tor in charge of the inquiry, said in the
1986, said today that East Germany's
results are ethnic strife and bloodshed.
might be permitted to vote in West
history."
"This also applies to the circum-
same television broadcast that officials
next government would seek unifica-
The Communist parties there are
Germany's elections, thereby affecting
The applause seemed to reflect in
stances that led to vote fraud on May
were investigating whether local elec-
tion as quickly as possible.
under attack and collapsing almost as;
the outcome. But the details of unifica-
part the universal awareness that Mr.
1989.
tion boards were forced to manipulate
Mr.' Honecker's political standing
fast as their equivalents did in Eastern,
tion are still to be worked out, and in
Genscher comes from East Germany,
""At the same time I want to empha-
vote totals under pressure from the
and physical health have declined
Europe last fall, and perhaps for, the
cluded in the unaswered questions are
a fact that is believed to have shaped
size that I never made a political deci-
East German Communist Party. He
steadily, After he was deposed, the 77-
same reason: They were artificial Rus-.
the type of government to emerge from
much of his work as Foreign Minister.
sion for egoistic motives, and that Ifeel
said that 47 people were under investi-
year-old former General Secretary of
sian implants.
unification, and whether East Ger-
The Foreign Minister will visit his
free from any. guilt in the criminal
gation, including two former Commu-
the Communist Party was forced to
Now, as the streets deteriorate, oil
many would just be absorbed into the
home city of Halle in East Germany to-
sense," Mr. Honecker said.
nist mayors of major cities.
leave his luxurious villa in the East
production falls, feed grain runs out
existing West German political map 01
morrow to deliver his first speech
Dissatisfaction with the election re-
Inquiry Into Party Role
Berlin suburb of Wandlitz. With no-
and meat disappears from the stores in
a new system created:
there.
sult contributed to the exodus of East
where to turn, he and his wife, Marga-
the Ukraine, in Russia, all over the
Since Feb. 6, when Mr. Kohl first pro-
After living through decades of elec-
Germans via Hungary last summer
ret, sought refuge with a minister.
country, the worry is that all state au-
posed quick progress toward monetary
Your Money:
tions with preordained results, East
and became a rallying point for opposi-
Mr. Honecker's statement appeared
thority may soon be in danger.
union, he has made clear that he in-
Germans became irate last May when
tion groups. The issue dogged Mr. Ho-
Saturday,
in part to refute comments by East
Few diplomats here think Mr. Gorba-
tends to position himself as the Chan-
returns in: local elections failed to
necker even after his fall from power
German officials with whom he has
chev has much time to think up devious
cellor of all Germans and their guide tc
in Business Day
register an anti-Communist protest of
in late October.
had contact that he is unable to com-
strategies to hoodwink the West into
rapid union.
organized abstention and the casting of
Mr. Honecker's successor, Egon
prehend the events that have swept
giving up its own interests in Western
blank ballots by some voters.
Krenz, chaired the election commis-
East Germany in recent months.
Europe. He is just hoping to salvage
what he can of his own.
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1990
A9
Upheaval in the East: The Gamble of Diplomats
Diplomacy
How German Unity Advanced: A Muscular Bonn Prevails on the Big Four
Continued From Page Al
On Feb. 5, Mr. Baker began a trip to
Dizzying Speed
Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.
Copy photo
powers that had postwar legal rights in
At the last minute, his schedulers
Berlin.
added a stop in Shannon, Ireland, at 5
German Disunity,
A.M. for a meeting with the French
Foreign Minister, Roland Dumas. Dur-
Other Loose Ends
Setting the Stage
ing the one-hour talk, Mr. Dumas also
signed on to the "two-plus-four" con-
It was at this juncture that Mr. She-
cept, but only after saying that his first
vardnadze also informed Mr. Baker
The Wall Falls,
preference was also "four plus zero."
that Mr. Gorbachev was ready to ac-
As the reunification negotiations
cept Mr. Bush's original troop offer.
The Allies Respond
progressed, pressure was building in
Mr. Baker was pleased but some-
the United States and in Europe for Mr.
what taken aback. No one had really
After the opening of the Berlin wall
Bush to propose a deeper cut in Soviet
expected Mr. Gorbachev to come
on Nov. 10, Administration officials as-
and American conventional forces in
around so soon. The Soviet leader was
sumed that the unification process
Europe than he had presented to NATO
apparently playing from a much
would unfold gradually, and that no
leaders in May. At the urging of Mr.
weaker hand than anyone thought. Mr.
serious moves on their part would be
Scowcroft, Gen. Colin L. Powell, chair-
Baker walked out of the hall and tele-
required until the East German elec-
man of the Joint Chiefs-of Staff, devel-
phoned President Bush with the news.
tions, then scheduled for May.
oped the plan to cut American and
Mr. Shevardnadze phoned President
But on Jan. 28, with thousands of
Soviet troops in Central Europe to
Gorbachev to get his reaction to the
East Germans still flocking to the West
195,000, with the United States keeping
two-plus-four language.
every day, East German authorities
30,000 soldiers elsewhere in the region.
Meanwhile, the President had been
announced that they were advancing
conducting his own telephone diplo-
the election date to March 18. They
macy on Tuesday morning, speaking
simply could not hold the country to-
Meetings In Moscow
twice with Chancellor Kohl. Mr. Bush
gether until May. Since pro-unification
knowing that Mr. Genscher and Mr.
parties were expected to sweep the
elections, Administration officials real-
Visit by Baker
Kohl, political allies of necessity in
Bonn's governing coalition; dislike
ized that a unified Germany was no
longer a possibility - it was all but a
A Turning Point
each other and often do not even tell
each other what they are doing de-
certainty.
cided that he had to personally make
So the Administration decided to
On Feb. 7, Mr. Baker flew into Mos-
certain that Mr. Kohl approved of the
come up with its own plan to manage
cow. That night, he had a private meet-
two-plus-four deal that Mr. Genscher
reunification. President Bush con-
ing with Mr. Shevardnadze and tried to
was striking with Mr. Baker. Mr. Kohl
sulted with his national security advis-
bring up Germany, but the Soviet offi-
told the President that he was willing,
er, Brent Scowcroft, and the deputy ad-
cial said that topic would have to be
and the President gavé Mr: Baker his
viser, Robert M. Gates, and Mr. Baker
taken up with President Mikhail S. Gor-1
green light.
with his key aides Robert Zoellick,
bachev himself. The next morning, Mr.
Two hours later, Mr. Shevardnadze
State Department counselor; Dennis
Baker presented the two-plus-four con-
and Mr. Baker met again in a private
B. Ross, the department's Director of
cept to the Soviet leader as they sat
conference. room. Mr. Shevardnadze
Policy Planning, and Raymond G. H.
around a huge table in the Kremlin's
said that Mr. Gorbachev supported the
Seitz, Assistant Secretary of State for
Catherine Hall. Mr. Gorbachev was in-
Idea but that he needed some changes
European Affairs. Mr. Seitz eventually
trigued by the two-plus-four idea, but
in the text. First, it could not mention
produced a version of the plan adopted
noncommittal. He too made it clear
the March 18 East German election
at Ottawa. It became known as the
that he shared the British and French
date, or suggest that this was the event
"two-plus-four"concept.
preference for "four plus zero."
that would trigger the two-plus-four
Under this formula, after the East
"One of the things that is very strik-
meeting. This was done to mollify his
German elections were over the two
ing about dealing with Shevardnadze
East German allies and to avoid treat-
Germanys would get together and dis-
and Gorbachev right now is that they
ing unification, or the dissolution of
cuss their economic, political and legal
will listen to your arguments,' a senior
East Germany;a a foregone conclu-
unification. After that, the United
State Department official said. "These
sion.
States, Britain, France and the Soviet
are not stylized discussions. They tend
Mr. Shevardnadze also insisted, ap-
Union would sit down with the two Ger-
to be very relaxed. When you make a
parently on behalf of the Poles, that the
manys and discuss the size of the army
case that they think is reasonable, they
statement contain a line saying that the
their unified state might have, its rela-
will come right back and tell you:
two-plus-four discussions would deal.
tionship to NATO and security guaran-
'Well, you know, that's reasonable.
with "issues of security of the neigh-
teesfor its neighbors.
And there was quite a bit of that in the
boring states.'
Mr: Baker and President Bush de-
discussion on the Germanys."
Once this language was approved,
cided that they would keep the two-
But the German question was not the
news photographers were summoned
plus-four idea closely held and begin
only issue Mr. Baker had to discuss
for pictures of the two German Foreign
secretly polling the three other Allies,
with the Soviets. There was also the
Ministers and those of the four Allied
one by one. They would not tell the
question of how they would respond to
countries standing together. No one
other members of NATO, until and un-
President Bush's troop proposal, with
was told why. Moments later, their
less there was an agreement among
its insistence on American troop su-
two-plus-four announcement was re-
the four, plus the two Germanys.
periority in Europe. This was to drive
leased. Members of the press got it be-
home the point that the Soviets, who
fore most other NATO ministers. The
The first serious discussion of the
were in Europe as occupiers, might
Dutch, Italians and Belgians were in-
idea took place on Jan. 29, when the
have to leave at the behest of their.
censed and began asking for some
British Foreign Secretary, Douglas
allies, but that the Americans were
Secretary of State James A: Baker 3d and Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze of the Soviet Union,
changes in the text, particularly for
Hurd, met with Mr. Baker in Washing
there by invitation and would not be
ton. Mr. Hurd, who had been thinking
leaving entirely.
right, conferring on Tuesday at closing session of meeting in Ottawa of NATO and Warsaw Pact ministers.
some reference not only to the security
of states neighboring Germany, but
along similar lines, indicated that his
Mr. Gorbachev accepted the basic
also in the rest of Europe.
Government's preference would be
principle of lower troon levels. but gave
told
Dutch, Italians and Belgians were in-
Canadian Press
Americans were
censed and began asking for some
Hurd; met with Mr. Baker in Washing-
there by invitation and would not be
Secretary of State James A. Baker 3d and Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze of the Soviet Union,
changes in the text, particularly for
ton Mr. Hurd, who had been thinking
leaving entirely.
right, conferring on Tuesday at closing session of meeting in Ottawa of NATO and Warsaw Pact ministers.
some reference not only to the security
along similar lines, indicated that his
Mr. Gorbachev accepted the basic
of states neighboring Germany, but
Government's preference would be
principle of lower troop levels, but gave
also in the rest of Europe.
"four plus zero" that is, the four
out the British and the French decid-
Mr. Baker a counterproposal: both
A Baker aide mused that if anyone
own handwriting, whispered to the
"They were told in no uncertain
Allied powers getting together to dis-
ing the fate of Germany, he would
sides would go down to either 195,000
was tapping the phone calls between
the ministers, they would have heard
Soviet Foreign Minister the proposed
terms that this was a matter for the
cuss the fate of Germany, at first with-
avoid any personal contact with Mr.
men or 225,000 men, but not 195,000 for
Kohl in Moscow.
language the Western Allies were sug-
Allied powers with legal rights in Ger-
out; the Germans. Nevertheless, he
the Soviets and 225,000 for the Amer-
some of the most momentous issues in
Instead, Mr. Baker sent Mr. Kohl a
gesting for two plus four. Mr. Shevard-
many and nobody else." an Adminis-
gave London's backing to two plus four.
icans. Administration officials say they
postwar politics being?discussed with
nadze's translator wrote it all down in
tration official said. "That is why the
Four-days later, the West German
three-page, for-your-eyes-only note,
believe that this idea may have been
stunning frankness. At several points,
Russian, and Mr. Shevardnadze said he
deal was cut this way, we told them,
Foreign Minister, Hans-Dietrich Gen-
laying out Mr. Gorbachev's reactions
generated by the Soviet arms-control
Mr. Baker was jogging back and forth
scher, flew to Washington for a private
to the two-plus-four idea. Mr. Baker
would have to call Mr. Gorbachev.
and if you don't like it, sorry, but
bureaucracy and that Mr. Gorbachev
between meetings with Mr. Genscher
you have no legal rights."
chat with Mr. Baker, during which the
then took off for Bulgaria and Romania
and Mr. Shevardnadze:
decided he had nothing to lose by see-
Secretary first laid out the two-plus-
on his way to a conference in Ottawa on
ing if he could bluff the Americans into
four idea to him. Mr. Genscher liked it,
the "open skies" proposal for air mis-
On Tuesday morning, Mr. Baker, Mr.
accepting it.
but he wanted to make certain that it
sions over other nations' territories.
Hurd, Mr. Dumas and Mr. Genscher
was two plus four, and not four plus
While in Ottawa, Mr. Baker, Mr. Gen-
had breakfast at the West German
scher, Mr. Hurd, Mr. Dumas and Mr.
Embassy in Ottawa and hammered out
Phone:
two. That is, he wanted to make sure
Success in Ottawa
that the two Germanys would first
Shevardnadze, who were supposed to
the proposed language of the two-plus-
be dealing with "open skies, were in
four arrangement. They decided then
determine the nature of their unifica-
tion on their own, and then deal with
A Deal Is Struck
fact simply going from one meeting
that if they could get Mr. Shevardnadze
the other powers on external security
with each other, to another. Most of the
to sign on to it now, they should do it.
Copy
On Troop Cuts
other NATO and Warsaw Pact foreign
Events in Germany were moving too
issues.
ministers did not have a clue as to what
fast, they reasoned, and if they broke
Mr. Genscher also told Mr. Baker
Mr. Baker left Moscow without a
they were talking about.
up in Ottawa without an understanding,
that his Government would have noth-
Soviet answer to the German question,
Mr. Baker's private secretary,
it would be that much more difficult
ing to do with a "2-plus-15" arrang-
later.
Fashion
ment the two Germanys and the 15
and with the troop proposal in limbo.
Karen Jackson, carried around the
Just as Mr. Baker was packing to
schedules of each of the other minis-
From that breakfast, Mr. Baker
other members of NATO deciding the
leave, the West German Chancellor,
ters, which were constantly being up-
drove back to a full session of the open-
German future. Nor would he accept
Helmut Kohl, and his Foreign Minister,
dated. For instance, the Soviets would
skles conference. As ministers milled
"four plus zero." He also said that
conscious women
Mr. Genscher, were arriving for their
call to say that Mr. Shevardnadze was
around the oval meeting table, Mr.
West Germany would not put its future
in the hands of the 35 members of the
own meeting with Mr. Gorbachev.
going to be at his embassy for 30
Baker walked over to Mr. Shevardna-
Mr. Baker decided that in order to
minutes, and then in his suite for an
dze with a scrap of paper in his hand.
Conference on Security and Coopera-
avoid creating any impression of the
hour, and after that back in the confer-
With Mr. Shevardnadze's translator
tion in Europe. Two plus four, he said,
was just right.
United States and the Soviets - with-
ence hall, so that Mr. Baker could track
standing between them, Mr. Baker,
him down at any moment.
reading from the paper written in his
Shevardnadze Calls for Meeting This Year on German Unification
By PAUL LEWIS
cord in November. They should also be-
reunification, saying it should not be "a
gin further disarmament talks and
The idea is that as East Europe
Special to The New York
political game of rapid chess with a
breaks free from the Soviet Unión and
OTTAWA, Feb. 15 - Foreign Minis-
seek "to devise political approaches to
five-minute time limit" for each move.
the new trends in Europe,' he said. The
the two Germanys coalesce, Europe
ter- Eduard A. Shevardnadze of the
He also called on Europeans, Amer-
members are the 16 NATO nations, the
needs a new-all-embracing security ar
Soviet Union called today on the 35 na-
icans and Canadians to voice their con-
7 Warsaw Pact nations and 12 neutral
rangement based on a strengthening of
tions taking part in an East-West con-
cerns about German unification
ference on security in Europe to begin
countries.
the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, by which
through "a referendum" based on pub-
"We think it is important to begin
the 35 nations countries promised to re-
working on a meeting later this year to
lic opinion surveys that would measure
spect existing frontiers and observe
prepare for German unification.
shaping a system of common Euro-
popular anxiety.
human rights.
Addressing the External Affairs and
pean spaces, including legal and hu-
Defense Committees of the Canadian
manitarian space,' he said. The phrase
He made no mention of a greater
This week, the British Foreign Secre-
Parliament, Mr. Shevardnadze ac-
he used, borrowed from French, is ap-
Germany's role in NATO, which the
tary, Douglas Hurd, said: "As the War-
plied to the idea of a series of new pacts
West insists on but Moscow has op-
saw Pact disintegrates the East Euro-
cepted German reunification as inevi-
committing European nations to
posed in the past.
peans need somewhere to go. NATO
table, but voiced unease at the pros-
democracy, respect for existing fron-
and the European Community are not
use The New York Times to keep informed
pect. He said Europe must move
New Security Arrangement
tiers and human rights.
suitable, but a strengthened C.S.C.E.
quickly to demilitarize itself and lock a
seems right
about the world of fashion. The Tuesday Fashion
greater Germany into a new "Pan-
The Soviet Foreign Minister' call
The Soviet Foreign Minister stressed
European" political structure for its
for a meeting of the 35 nations in the se-
Page features the newest international and
The West German Foreign Minister,
that German unification is occurring at
own
safety.
STATE
curity conference next winter to dis-
Hans-Dietrich Genscher, called for the
American fashions. On Sundays. there are Stvle
a delicate moment in history, when the
one doubts the right of Germans
cuss a united Germany echoes an idea
Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are
creation of -European institutions
to self-determination," Mr. Shevardna-
many foreign ministers supported at
to foster the coalescence of Europe
Makers" and "Fashion" features covering
going through profound change:
talks here between NATO and the War-
dze said. "But Germany's neighbors,
within the framework,' in-
everything from how to keep your wardrobe
He warned against rushing German
saw Pact this week.
the European states, are entitled to
cluding bodies to guarantee human
guarantees that a united Germany, if
rights, protect the environment and re-
fresh and vital to an inside look at who's setting
solve conflicts.
trends in New York and around the world.
and when it is established, will not be a
threat to them, that it will not seek to
revise European borders and that it
Prague Says Soviet Pullout Starts Next Week
A Proposalby Italy
Women's apparel advertisers: For information, call your
will not see a rebirth of Nazism and
The Italian Foreign Minister, Gianni
New York Times sales representative or Retail
Fascism."
De Michelis, circulated proposals at
Advertising, (212) 556-1363.
The Soviet. Foreign Minister admit-
PRAGUE, Feb. 15 (AP) - The
sources in Prague said this week that
the meeting for a "second Helsinki
ted that a new generation has come to
Soviet Army will begin withdrawing
June 1991 was a likely compromise
Act" that would create a single Euro-
power in Germany since World War II.
from Czechoslovakia next week and an
President Vaclav Havel said Tues-
pean security system with provisions
But, he asked: "Are there no new Nazis
agreement on complete Soviet with-
day he had received a letter from Mi-
that would gradually become legally
The New York Times
today? Does not the Republican Party
drawal from Hungary may come
khail S. Gorbachev, the Soviet leader.
binding on the nations that signed.
enjoy some support today?" The far
within a month, Czechoslovak and Hun-
He hinted that it might help resolve the
Under the Italian proposal all 35 na-
right West German Republican Party
garian officials said today.
question of how soon all 73,500 Soviet
tions in the security conference would
has revived claims to Pomerania, Sile-
Gen. Anton Slimak, the Czechoslovak
soldiers in Czechoslovakia would leave.
agree to respect each other's sover-
sia and parts of East Prussia now in
Chief of Staff, was quoted by the offi-
In Budapest, a senior Hungarian offi-
eignty and observe human rights.
Poland and the Soviet Union.
cial press agency C.T.K. as saying that
clal was quoted as predicting an agree-
Under this plan the East European
the withdrawal would begin next week
New Talks Proposed
ment within a month on the departure
countries would gradually move away
in Bruntal, 160 miles east of Prague.
of Soviet troops.
from Moscow and closer to the 12 Euro-
The 35 nations of the Conference of
Czechoslovakia had sought total
Magyar Nemzet, a Hungarian daily,
pean Community nations, strengthen-
Security and Cooperation in Europe,
withdrawal by the end of this year, but
quoted Ferenc Somogyi, Secretary of
ing their economic ties with Western
Mr. Shevardnadze said, should prepare
General Slimak said that would not be
State in the Foreign Ministry, as saying
Europe and agreeing to accept the
for German reunification by signing a
accomplished. Moscow wants to keep
that Hungary could "count on working
jurisdiction of the European Human
new conventional arms reduction ac-
forces there until the end of 1991, and
out the agreement within a month.'
Rights Court in Strasbourg.
Charles Krauthammer
Kennan: Cold Realist
Since roughly the time of the increased
dealing dispassionately and without moral
troop movements into Czechoslovakia in
ism with the other side. As he put it bluntly
1968, Soviet political hegemony over the other
in a 1985 antimoralist tract in Foreign
Warsaw Pact countries has been slackening.
Affairs, the primary obligation of foreign
-- George Kennan, April 4, 1989
policy is to the interests of the national
What is wrong with this sentence? Its
society" and not its "moral impulses,
main point is unexceptionable. If its author
For Kennan, national Interest is all. Once
were not George Kennan-ambassador,
you understand Kennan's uncompromising
statesman, historian, feted now (see the
antisentimental realism, you then under
cover of The Atlantic) as America's "Last
stand why his moral vocabulary is 80 impov-
Wise Man"-it would not warrant three
erished. Why the most he can say about
readings to make sure that our eyes do not
apartheid is that "certain of the procedures
deceive us. But there it ist in his testimony
of the South African police have been no
last week to the Senate Foreign Relations
less odious to me than to many others Why
Committee: "increased troop movements in-
the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a
to Czechoslovakia in 1968.
mere "action" and a "mistake, Why the
Increased troop movements? He means
1968 Czech invasion is now "increased troop
the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The over-
movements.
throw of "socialism with a human face." The
Kennan has been a consistent "realist" for
crushing of the Prague Spring. The declara-
40 years. He believes that the United States
tion of the Brezhnev Doctrine. The transfor
ought not involve itself in any great anti-So-
mation of Alexander Dubcek from social
viet crusade. He believes that under Gorba-
reformer into forest ranger. The beginning
chev. He believed it under Brezhnev, He
of two decades of unrelieved repression and
believed it under Stalin,
misery for Czechoslovakia.
In 1947, a few weeks before publication
"Increased troop movements?" This gro-
of Kennan's famous Foreign Affairs article
tesque euphemism is not a slip of the
outlining containment, Truman declared
tongue. It is not an oversight. It is a window
American support for Greece and Turkey
onto George Kennan's political philosophy.
then under severe communist pressure.
The window is important because, in this
How did Kennan react to containment. in
the season of Kennan's canonization, his
practice? A few days before Truman' dra-
philosophy is being conveniently distorted.
matic address to Congress, Kennan was
True, Kennan first enunciated the notion of
shown a draft text. "To say that he found
"containment," the overarching theory of
objections to it is to put it mildly,' writes
postwar American foreign policy. True,
Joseph Jones, who drafted the Truman Doc.
Kennan says that the Soviet Union "should
trine speech. He was in favor of economic
now be regarded essentially as another
aid to Greece, but he had hoped that mill-
great power, like other great powers."
tary aid to Greece would be kept small, and
True, as The New York Times summarized
he was opposed to aid of any kind to: urkey
his testimony, "The father of 'containment'
It was nevertheless to the tone and ideologi
says Russia is no longer a threat."
cali content of the message, the portraying
But it is not true that Kennan is an old
of two opposing ways of life, and the open-
Cold Warrior who has now renounced the
end commitment to aid free peoples that he
creed because of Gorbachev's benignity. As
objected most."
Kennan would be the first to say; he has
There is a question now as to whether the
never been a Cold Warrior. He was the
Cold War is over, whether it is time to call
author of containment, yes, but a very cool,
off our ideological crusade against the Sovi-
detached and abstract form of containment
et Union. The question is a fair one, But
it was.
Kennan's answer, now so celebrated, is
The essence of Kennan's political philoso-
hardly news. Kennan was for calling it off in
phy has always been that we should treat
March 1947.
the Soviet Union as a great power, looking
Before you conscript Kennan to one side
only to our national interest, not to anticom-
or the other of today ideological debates,
munist ideology, to guide us. Kennan was
be clear who he is and who he was. He has
acute in identifying the ideological origins of
long thought that hard-liners, from Truman
Soviet foreign policy. But he never lapsed
on, distorted his notion of containment out
into advocacy of a counter-ideological re-
of all recognition. He does Indeed call for an
sponse by the United States.
end to containment, as generally (mis)un-
Liberals, wanting to claim Kennan, may
derstood. But that is not Kennan responding
like to say that he was once a conservative.
to Gorbachev. That is Kennan responding to
Neither word really applies: Kennan was
Kennan. He has been saying that for a very
then, and remains now, the foremost Ameri-
long time. As far back as that August 1968
can "realist," meaning a believer in Realpoli-
day when the Soviets beefed up their troops
tik, in foreign policy as power politics, in
in Prague and before.
Photo Copy Preservation