Word: brezhnevs
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Because of his credentials as a stern leader, Leonid Brezhnev, 67, is in a uniquely good position to further détente. No one can challenge his devotion to the advancement of Russian interests. He was the one who ordered the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, demanded ideological purity in Eastern Europe with the "Brezhnev Doctrine," and started the current drive to repress dissent at home (see box page 26). "He is not making Khrushchev's mistake," says Carl Linden, a leading Soviet affairs expert at George Washington University. "Khrushchev tried to couple relaxation abroad with relaxation at home, while Brezhnev...
While Moscow is still sensitive about any nascent kult lichnosti, or personality cult, Brezhnev is nonetheless receiving a public relations buildup not seen since Khrushchev's time. In the recent one-slate Supreme Soviet elections, Brezhnev was referred to as the "first candidate" and as "head of the Politburo"-an interesting title since the Politburo supposedly has no head. If there is opposition to détente in Moscow, Brezhnev has effectively silenced it, at least publicly, and even those who are thought to be ideological hardliners, like Secret Police Chief Yuri Andropov and Party Ideologue Mikhail Suslov, now publicly...
...reasons why Brezhnev wants détente have not changed. Apart from whatever the Soviets hope to accomplish in the nuclear field and lowering of their arms budgets, there is the fear of China and possible increased U.S. economic help for Peking. Finally, there is the Soviet need for Western technology and trade, which, if anything, has become more acute during the past year...
...settlement, with its enhancement of the American position. They are not happy with the rise in American influence-"All we ever got from the Arabs was a cholera epidemic," jokes one Russian official-but they are keeping their temper in check. Says an Israeli analyst: "Everything would change if Brezhnev were to fall and anti-détente forces took over in Moscow. The Russians would then immediately try to get rid of Sadat and possibly [Syrian President Hafez] Assad...
...hard, observe these critics, to convince financially strapped European voters that they should spend money on defense while Nixon and Brezhnev are linking arms in Moscow-a reaction they charge that Moscow anticipated as one of its major advantages from détente...