Word: leonid
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...along with that of Leonid Kuchma in neighboring Ukraine, was a measure of the deep disillusionment bedeviling many of the 15 republics that used to make up the U.S.S.R. Since the giddy days of 1991, when the republics scattered like schoolchildren at recess, independent life in what Russians call the "near abroad" has proved tougher than anticipated. Euphoria has slowly been replaced by disgust at the hardships of post-Soviet life: ethnic strife, political instability and government corruption. In the face of these problems, incompetent nationalist leaders, while touting the trappings of independence, have failed to deliver on essentials, such...
...that rapprochement, they are looking to Kuchma, a former director of the world's largest missile factory, whose production lines once cranked out giant nuclear-delivery systems "like sausages," as Nikita Khrushchev boasted in the 1950s. The erstwhile industrialist won 52% of the vote, inflicting a shocking defeat on Leonid Kravchuk, who led Ukraine in breaking ties with Moscow, then spent the next three years quarreling with Russia, thwarting reform and cultivating ties with the West...
...such trader is Leonid, a lanky, unshaven roughneck who formerly belonged to an elite unit of the Soviet army. After leaving the military in the late 1980s, Leonid spent several years repairing apartments and fixing toilets, until he started brokering Russian-made wine in front of the Kiev railway station. When he was pushed out by a group of gypsies who controlled the wine trade, Leonid turned to imported cigarettes. Since then, he has branched out; one week he may move a consignment of flashlight batteries, the next a shipment of government-issue boots, obtained from a corrupt policeman...
Despite the odor of seediness that clings to the hoboes, many are highly educated. Leonid is studying at a Moscow college. One of his colleagues, a linguist, spends his free time writing a semantic analysis of Communist Party documents. Another is a chemist who puts his skills to work by distilling juniper-berry moonshine for his friends. All are energized by the frenzied pace of street-corner capitalism, even as they fear the joyride may not last forever. Leonid, who once saw "unlimited possibilities for business," now is concerned that the government or the mafia may soon strangle the uncontrolled...
...private visit" last week with all the ceremony and trappings appropriate to a serving head of state. More important -- since Kim knew that Carter was in touch with Washington -- they talked for six hours. Then Carter and Kim shared a hug reminiscent of the one Carter gave Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev at the SALT II signing...