unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/19/89)
Gorbachev's Internal Problems Deepen (ABC story)
Posting Date: 09/18/89 Source: UNITEX Network, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Host: (201) 795-0733 ISSN: 1043-7932
ABC News
Jim Laurie Moscow, USSR
Soviet leader Gorbachev has been meeting with political leaders
in the Baltic republics, who have been demanding greater
political and economic freedom. This meeting is another example
of how Gorbachev must bring his personal influence to bear to
solve the many problems facing his government. However, there
is a question about how long he will have influence. A Soviet
rock video sings about a nation coming apart. Such feelings are
widespread, with talk in the press of the possibility of
Gorbachev losing power. On September 9, GORBACHEV said there
are threats of impending chaos, even civil war because someone
wants to create an atmosphere of hopelessness and insecurity.
The reports of ethnic unrest are a daily occurrence, with
nationalist movements active in more than 6 regions. Old line
Communist conservatives have called for tougher action against
nationalist movements. With a worsening economy and rations on
everything, people are fed up. On the streets, people say
Gorbachev speaks pretty words and makes promises they don't
believe. Gorbachev has tried to take a middle course in
overhauling the economy, with more free enterprise and less
central planning, but it hasn't made a difference to consumers.
Conservatives want Gorbachev to return to old Communist methods,
and others urge him to be more radical. Gorbachev says he'd
rather resign than go back to the old ways, but warns of hard
times ahead. It's unlikely Gorbachev's opponents will try to
remove him now, even if they could. Soviet editor VITALY
KOROTICH says they understand that if they overthrow him,
they'll have the same problems.
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