Word: andropov
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Beissinger: Mr. Andropov is not someone who deviates tremendously in his background and his attitudes from what we've seen in the past. [But] I think Mr. Andropov is someone who would challenge the military, given the opportunity. Andropov's statements immediately upon assuming the post of General Secretary were very pro-military, basically saying he would maintain a high war preparedness...
Tsypkin: There is really no reason for Andropov to embark on a policy of cutting defense spending. The risks inherent are considerable for him personally because he would undermine the successes in foreign policy that Brezhnev enjoyed. Those successes were based on the buildup of Soviet military might. At the same time he would undermine foreign policy, he would undermine his support in the military...Also, it would take a very long time to turn the Soviet economy around. Meanwhile, what would you do with the millions of people engaged in military production? Moreover, it is my impression that...
Crimson: In the past several years, we saw evidence of Brezhnev's waning power and movement by the massive Soviet bureaucracy to take over that power. Do you see Andropov coming in and usurping any of that power back from the bureaucracy...
Powell: In every system, there is a contest between the bureaucracy and the top leader...I think Andropov is better informed [than Mr. Brezhnev]. According to our intelligence people, in his final years. Mr. Brezhnev apparently was only able to function four hours a day. That didn't give him much control over himself, much less over the bureaucracy...
Beissinger: Some of the steps Mr. Andropov has taken so far also would indicate that he is trying to assert more control over the bureaucracy. One of those steps is the promotion of Mr. Aliyev--who was head of the Party in Ascrbaijan (a Union Republic located in Trunscaueasia) and before that chief of the KGB in Aserbaijan--to First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers. He achieved a better record of economic performance in Aserbaijan largely through greater control he asserted over the bureaucracy. That particular promotion [of Mr. Aliyev] may indicate the path Mr. Andropov will follow...