Word: andropov
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...Soviet citizens, the biggest surprise was that Chernenko played such a prominent role. As a Brezhnev protégé, the silver-haired Chernenko, 71, was long considered a potential successor. But a few months after Andropov's designation as party leader, Chernenko dropped from public view, ostensibly to battle a bout of pneumonia. When he failed to appear for the traditional May Day lineup atop the Lenin Mausoleum, Moscow's active rumor mills began to speculate that he had lost another behind-the-scenes power struggle with Andropov. But once the more than 300 members...
...honor of delivering the central address indicated that Chernenko was, for now at least, in control of the important post of chief party ideologue. But by carefully echoing positions already taken by Andropov in recent months and deferentially praising his campaign to instill discipline in the work force, Chernenko also made it clear that he respected Andropov's pre-eminent position. The leadership, Chernenko insisted, was working "efficiently, concertedly." Remarked a Soviet official after hearing the speech: "I think our leaders were aware of the rumors of a power struggle and wanted to demonstrate unity...
...Andropov moved to reinforce that impression in a carefully reasoned address to the Central Committee the following day. Admitting that Soviet society was still well short of "perfecting developed socialism," he called for reforms in production, including rewards for bold management. He urged "radical improvement in planning" to eliminate the "unjustifiably thin spreading of resources." The proposals were all ideas that Andropov had floated when he first took office last November. By giving them the weight of official doctrine, Andropov increased his own prestige; he may thus stand a better chance of imposing reforms on the recalcitrant Soviet bureaucracy...
...Andropov also issued a warning that the Soviets would not allow the balance of power to tilt in Washington's favor. But he sounded more conciliatory than on some previous occasions. "If it became possible to reduce the level of armaments and military spending on both sides," he said, and embark on disarmament, "this would be a great boon for all countries...
...said, thinks "not in terms of parity but in terms of superiority." But Gromyko also emphasized the importance of negotiations. U.S. officials interpret the tone of both speeches as yet another hint that the Soviets are keeping the door open in the talks on nuclear arms limitation. Last month Andropov had given that message to former U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Averell Harriman, and last week Soviet television allowed Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth Dam to make a rare pitch for the U.S. view (see box). Said a veteran U.S. diplomat who has been holding talks in Moscow on nuclear nonproliferation...