Word: diplomatic
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...want a chance to criticize the scheme in their own forum. But NATO members were in for a surprise. Instead of escalating the war of words, the seven Warsaw Pact leaders who gathered in Moscow last week issued a joint statement that was quite restrained. Said a puzzled Western diplomat in Moscow: "Why circle the wagons if you are not going to do anything...
...necessity to slash runaway public spending to reduce a threatening $60 billion 1983 budget deficit. The prospect of a series of weak coalition governments is already stirring speculation about the need for new elections in a year or two, when the Communists might do even better. Said a Western diplomat: "Once again the Italians are at the brink. Let us trust that, as usual, they will manage to pull back...
...region of Ethiopia, still guard the country's vulnerable eastern flank. East Germans are used to train Ethiopia's secret police. Several hundred more Soviet-bloc advisers are expected to be working in government departments and state-controlled industries by year's end. Says a Western diplomat in Addis Ababa: "Ethiopia represents Moscow's greatest success in Africa in more than a decade. It's a prize that the Soviets aren't going to let slip away...
...eleven members, compared with 14 only 17 months ago. Contrary to expectations, Andropov did not fill the vacancies. His reluctance to do so suggests that powerful factions may be trying to curb Andropov's power to pack the Politburo with men loyal to him. Says a Western diplomat: "He's not as strong as Brezhnev was. He didn't get his way, or the jobs would have been filled...
...title of President was to enhance his position as a national leader in the event of a summit meeting with Ronald Reagan. Yet abroad as well as at home, concern centers on Andropov's health. Earlier this month, during the visit of Finnish President Mauno Koivisto, a Western diplomat in Moscow reported that Andropov appeared like "a weak old man." On other occasions aides have had to help him walk up and down steps. U.S. officials now wonder if the Soviet leader could stand the physical strain of a summit with Reagan. As Andropov accumulates power, uncertainty is increasing...