Word: central
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...perhaps about to face another major shift. During the past decade, Deng led the most adventurous economic reform program ever undertaken by a Communist country, and Hu, 71, was his steadfast second in command. The two pushed through economic liberalizations that freed the country from the iron hand of central planners and opened a road that appeared to lead eventually to more personal liberties...
When the student protests erupted last month, however, Deng aborted the ) experiment. The move convinced some China watchers that Deng would sacrifice anything rather than risk political upheavals. His tough stance on the protests was made clear in the first directive of 1987 issued by the Central Committee. It quoted Deng as saying, "When necessary, we must deal severely with those who defy orders. We can afford to shed some blood. Just try as much as possible not to kill anyone...
...Deng selected to replace Hu as Communist Party chief is unlikely to press for greater political freedom. Zhao, 67, who will hold the title of acting General Secretary until the Central Committee confirms his appointment, is an agricultural expert who heartily embraces Deng's economic reforms. As No. 3 in the hierarchy, he has been regarded as less liberal than Hu on political matters, and considerably less outspoken. After a month of unruly students, that seems to be just what Deng wants...
...arctic blast stunned eastern and central Europe. Thirty-one weather- related deaths were reported in Poland, 20 in Hungary and 5 in Austria. Along the snowbound, 170-mile highway linking Budapest with Vienna, more than 130 cars were immobilized for up to 18 hours until Soviet, Hungarian and Austrian tanks dug them out. One of the liberated motorists was Austria's Ambassador to Hungary, Arthur Agstner. Declared the grateful diplomat: "If the Soviet tanks had not arrived in time, several of us could have frozen to death...
...past year the strategic positions of the two sides have remained relatively static. In last week's battle, however, the Iranians managed not only to hold their newly won pocket of territory but even to launch a second assault in the central sector to the east of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. On Christmas Day the Iraqis turned back an Iranian assault in the southern region, killing an estimated 15,000 Iranians but losing perhaps 5,000 of their own soldiers in the process. This time the Iraqis seemed to be having trouble holding back the invading forces...