Word: husak
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...Gustav Husak came to power in extraordinary circumstances. He was installed as leader of Czechoslovakia's Communist Party in 1969, during the tumult of "normalization" that followed the Soviet-led invasion of his country the previous summer. Last week Husak, 74, exited under conditions that were even more extraordinary. By asking to step down as party chief and nominating fellow Politburo Member Milos Jakes, 65, to replace him, he became the first leader in Soviet-dominated East bloc history to give up power voluntarily...
...Husak retained his seat on the eleven-member ruling Politburo, as well as the largely ceremonial job of President -- perquisites that would probably not have been accorded to a leader who, like his predecessor Alexander Dubcek, had been forced from office. Though Husak publicly gave no reason for bowing out, he is known to be suffering from failing eyesight. He may also have wanted to be out of the limelight during the approaching 20th anniversary of Dubcek's fabled Prague Spring, the months of flowering economic and political reform that preceded, and precipitated, the invasion. Worldwide recollections of that exciting...
...public, of course, Husak had effusive praise last week for Gorbachev's policies, and promised his "full support" for the Soviet leader's "bold ideas, profound reforms and resolute deeds." But behind closed doors the Gorbachev policies have been causing serious troubles within the Czechoslovak party. In fact, there were rumors that Gorbachev's visit was delayed for three days because local leaders could not agree on their own policy toward reform. Last February a Soviet delegation led by Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze visited Prague to try to smooth over the differences. The Czechoslovak party has been split between hard...
...until last month did Husak finally concede in an address to the party Central Committee that the leadership must consider moves toward greater internal democracy, such as secret party elections. Cautiously using words that had been taboo in Prague's political lexicon for 19 years, Husak spoke of the need "for new economic and social mechanisms or, if you like, reforms." He noted that developments in the Soviet Union were "drawing an extraordinary response in the whole Czechoslovak party and people...
While standing alongside Husak last week, Gorbachev neatly illustrated the generational and political problems that face all the Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe. Gorbachev can blame his predecessors, especially Brezhnev, for economic stagnation and the resulting political and social ills because, except for a brief period, Gorbachev was not part of the inner circle responsible for the mess. The older Husak, who was installed by Brezhnev , largely to put down changes much like those Gorbachev is promoting, does not have that option. If Husak denounces the bad old days and encourages reforms within his country, he will in effect...