Word: gromyko
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...speed with which Gorbachev was ratified as the General Secretary of the Communist Party--less than 24 hours after Chernenko's death--puzzled Western diplomats. Some insight into Gorbachev's confirmation emerged last week with the release of Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko's nominating speech to the Central Committee. The address seemed to Western analysts to have been aimed at blunting potential criticism that Gorbachev, 54, was too outspoken. Gromyko lauded the new leader for expressing himself with a "Leninist directness." Gromyko also stressed that Gorbachev had in effect been "brilliantly" running the country during Chernenko's illness...
...stands to gain the most from Gorbachev's elevation, in the opinion of many Kremlinologists, is Gromyko. He placed Gorbachev's name in nomination at the Central Committee meeting that followed Chernenko's death, in effect giving the Old Guard's blessing to the younger generation's "coming of age." In return, Gorbachev has paid careful respect to the durable Foreign Minister. Gorbachev too has stressed the need for arms negotiations and has called for improved U.S.-Soviet relations in terms similar to those used by Gromyko in recent months. Surmises Jerry Hough, a Soviet specialist at Duke University: "Gorbachev...
Dressed in a dark blue suit and blue-striped tie, Gorbachev stood at the head of a receiving line in the white-and-gilt Hall of St. George. Premier Nikolai Tikhonov, Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and First Vice President Vasili Kuznetsov were by his side as he greeted the foreign dignitaries. Gorbachev looked his guests in the eye, occasionally giving a visitor a two-handed grip or flashing a reserved smile of recognition...
...ability to steer away from political cant when talking with Westerners. He is also able to mask his feelings when the occasion calls for it. When French President Francois Mitterrand mentioned Soviet Dissident Andrei Sakharov during a state banquet in the Kremlin last June, Konstantin Chernenko and Andrei Gromyko looked annoyed, but Gorbachev betrayed no emotion. "He has great control," said a French diplomat. "He was the only one who did not show anything...
...power balance in the leadership until a younger generation was ready to take over. Within two months of assuming power, Chernenko secured the additional titles of President and chairman of the Defense Council. They carried more honor than substance: Chernenko was said to defer to Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko on diplomatic matters and to defense leaders on military questions. Indeed, Gromyko sometimes appeared so confident of his power that he would interrupt Chernenko during meetings with foreign delegations...