Word: brezhnevs
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...goods. Top political leaders rely heavily on military expertise for advice on policies as diverse as the location of a factory and the Soviet stance at the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) now going on in Vienna. These talks, as well as the economic difficulties at home, are forcing Brezhnev to focus on some basic decisions of foreign, military and economic policy. There is the possibility, however fragile, of a major detente with the West and a resulting higher share of Russia's productive capacity for consumer purposes. However, Soviet negotiators at SALT, like their U.S. counterparts, realize that their...
...Brezhnev has lately gone out of his way to cement relations with the power groups outside the Politburo, particularly the military...
...speech at the Palace of Congresses, for example, he said that he intended to keep the armed forces "fully provided with all that is needed for the vital task of national defense." If Brezhnev feels under any obligation to the military, however, his position could become uncomfortable. As the chief exponent of "goulash Communism," Khrushchev frequently sought to divert money and materials into consumer industries, away from the military men and what he called "the metal eaters"?the managers of heavy industry. But while Khrushchev tried, often unsuccessfully, to keep the military men on relatively short rations, Brezhnev...
...Kosygin?are aging and sickly. Kosygin is said to have asked permission to retire several times; he was reportedly turned down in the interests of preserving a balance in the collective leadership. The Politburo membership has remained virtually unchanged for five years, however, and it is possible that Brezhnev may soon encourage a number of its members to retire. At least some Politburo appointments would probably go to younger men, refleeting the fact that three-fourths of Russia's 14 million party members are 50 or younger...
...Though Brezhnev seems to have taken a firm hold on his country's economy, long Kosygin's sphere, his precise course of action may not become readily discernible until the 24th Party Congress convenes, probably in November. At that time, the next Five-Year Plan will be unveiled. An official of the State Planning Commission has indicated that the plan will probably call for an annual growth rate of 7% to 8%, place heavier emphasis on consumer production, seek some outside capital investment a la Ford and urge the rapid development of natural resources in Siberia...