Word: chernenko
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...officials took their places onstage, spectators scrutinized the lineup for possible changes in the pecking order. Konstantin Chernenko, 70, took his usual place at Brezhnev's right side, indicating that he was still the heir apparent. On Brezhnev's left was another strong candidate, Grishin. Then came Prime Minister Nikolai Tikhonov, 76, Andropov and Defense Minister Dmitri Ustinov, 73, who are all contenders. Conspicuously absent was Andrei Kirilenko, 75, the former No. 2 man in the Politburo, who is believed to be ill or in disfavor, and has not been seen for the past three months...
Dressed in a natty business suit festooned with medals, Brezhnev looked slimmer than when he was last seen in public, on a visit to Tashkent in Central Asia. He appeared animated, chatting with Chernenko, who smiled and nodded back. As observers searched for signs of recent illness, Brezhnev displayed exemplary endurance. He remained alert throughout Andropov's 55-minute speech, in which the KGB chief reiterated Brezhnev's invitation to President Reagan to meet in Europe next October. Following the speech, the Soviet leader even had the stamina to attend a two-hour concert of Russian songs...
Western governments were just as puzzled over who was in charge during Brezhnev's absence. Speculation that Andrei Kirilenko, 75, a longtime favorite for the succession, had lost a power struggle to Brezhnev Protégé Konstantin Chernenko, 70, was strengthened last week when Kirilenko's name was missing from an obituary for a World War II tank commander signed by other Kremlin leaders. A senior West German official gave Brezhnev "a few more months," but then warned: "When I read our information, I am always amazed at how little we know for certain about the inner...
...during the past decade. Still, tension within the Kremlin may mount as contenders for power vie for position. Apparently out of the running is Andrei Kirilenko, 75, a onetime favorite who has not been seen in public since mid-February. The most visible contender for the succession is Konstantin Chernenko, 70, a longtime Brezhnev aide who has consistently appeared standing next to the President in recent months. Other Politburo members vying for the succession include Moscow Party Chief Viktor Grishin, Leningrad Party Boss Grigori Romanov and KGB Chief Yuri Andropov...
...than on. Rumors have been circulating that Thus We Will Win was the object of an ideological tug-of-war in the Politburo. Party Theoretician Mikhail Suslov, a hard-liner who died last January, is believed to have done his best to block the production, while Brezhnev Protege Konstantin Chernenko apparently intervened to save the play. As if to dispel any notion that the leadership was divided in its feelings, virtually the entire top rung of the Politburo, including Brezhnev, showed up for a performance early last month. In what may be the start of a period of transition, Shatrov...