4. PERESTROIKA, 1985-1991

MARCH 1987

Letter to the “New York Times” and “The Times” (London).

A collective letter signed by ten émigré authors [1]

Vasily Aksyonov, Vladimir Bukovsky, Edward Kuznetsov, Yury Lyubimov, Vladimir Maximov, Ernst Neizvestny and Alexander Zinoviev (cf. CCE “Name Index“.)

Translated and republished in Moscow News, Russian edition (29 March 1987).

*

Classified Documents

1985

11 March 1985* (Pb §1) [4] – POLITBURO. Information about CHERNENKO’s death and election of GORBACHOV as General Secretary [R: 11 Mar 85, Pb § 1]. 14 pp.

12 September 1985 (no number) [3.3; 4; 6] – INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT. About letter from French academicians to USSR Academy of Sciences in defence of the Soviet scientists Andrei SAKHAROV, Anatoly SHCHARANSKY, and Sergei KOVALYOV [R: 12 Sep 85, No 257]. 11 pp.

*

1986

20 March 1986* (Pb) [4] – POLITBURO meeting. Last topics discussed: renaming “Brezhnev” icebreaker, letter from Svetlana ALLILUYEVA about her return to USSR, etc. [R: 20 Mar 86, Pb]. 2 pp. 

01 June 1986*, 1135-Ch [3.3; 4] – KGB REPORT (Chebrikov). Attempts by “the Adversary” to subvert Soviet writers and restore reputation of emigré authors [R: 1 Jun 86, 1135-Ch]. 5 pp.

26 June 1986* (Pb) [4] – POLITBURO meeting. Alexander YAKOVLEV report about the ongoing Congress of the USSR Writers’ Union [R: 26 Jun 86, Pb]. 5 pp. 

25 September 1986 * (Pb) [3.3; 4] – POLITBURO. Pardons and release from imprisonment for political prisoners who agree to sign letter asking for pardon [R: 25 Sep 86, Pb, para 1]. 3 pp.

30 September 1986*, 1942-Ch [3.3; 4] – KGB REPORT (Chebrikov). Deprivation of citizenship and expulsion of Yury ORLOV from the USSR [R: 30 Sep 86, 3 pp – 1942-Ch]. 3 pp.

22 October 1986 * (Pb) [4; 9.1] – POLITBURO meeting. Expulsion of Soviet diplomats from USA and planned Soviet retaliation [R: 22 oct 86, Pb]. 5 pp.

26 December 1986*, 2521-Ch [2.2; 3.3; 4] – KGB REPORT (Chebrikov). Proposal to issue State pardons for special categories of criminals [dissidents] on condition that they cease their “anti-Soviet” activities [R: 26 Dec 86, 2522-Ch]. 6 pp.

*

1987

1 January 1987 (no number) [3.4; 4] – BOBKOV (KGB) cover note to GORBACHOV for transcript (not included) of SAKHAROV conversation with western scientists Frank von Hippel and Jeremy Stone [R: 1 Jan 87]. One page.

1 February 1987*, 183-Ch [2.2; 3.3; 4] – KGB REPORT (Chebrikov). The numbers then serving a sentence under Articles 70,  190-1 and 142 of the RSFSR Criminal Code. Terms for release (see Notes) were eased [R: 1 Feb 87, 183-Ch]. 9 pp.

4 February 1987*, 206-B [3.3; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Bobkov). The circumstances of Anatoly MARCHENKO’s death after a prolonged hunger strike in Chistopol Prison (Tatarstan) [R: 4 Feb 87 – 206-B]. One page.

11 May 1987, Pb 65/12 [3.3; 4] – POLITBURO decision. Strip Irina RATUSHINSKAYA and Igor GERASHCHENKO of their Soviet citizenship [R: 11 May 87, Pb 65-12]. 4 pp.

11 August 1987*, Pb 164/87 [2.2; 4] – POLITBURO decision. Set up a new specialised KGB agency to defend the Soviet “constitutional order” [R: 11 Aug 87, 4 pp – Pb 164-87] 4 pp. (tbt)

4 December 1987*, 2451-Ch [3.3; 4] – KGB REPORT (Chebrikov). International seminar on “human rights” in Moscow and measures taken to hinder it. File includes 19 December report on successful obstruction [R: 4 Dec 87]. 9 pp.

*

1988

27 July 1988*, 1541-K [2.2; 3.3; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Kryuchkov). Proposal for an international seminar “The KGB and Perestroika” to be held in December in Moscow [R: 27 Jul 88, 1541-K]. 2 pp.

15 October 1988*, 1791-K [3.4; 4] – KGB REPORT (Kryuchkov). The newly created political club “Moscow Tribune”.  (Document was kindly provided by the Andrei Sakharov archive.) [R: 15 Oct 88, 1791-K]. 6 pp. (tbt)

16 November 1988*, 1979-K [3.4; 4] – KGB REPORT (Kryuchkov). The provocative actions at the conference arranged by the All-Union “Memorial” Society [R: 16 Nov 88, 1979-K]. 5 pp.

*

1989

24 January 1989*, Pb 146/VI [4; 9.2] – POLITBURO. The imminent withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, alternative scenarios [R: 24 Jan 89, Pb 146-VI]. 13 pp.

14 November 1989*, 2292-K/OV [3.4; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Kryuchkov). SAKHAROV’s influence on striking miners in Vorkuta: an analysis of his state of mind and his promises to the miners to provide them with high-quality lawyers [R: 14 Nov 89, 2292-K-OV]. 2 pp.

15 November 1989, Pb 171/21 [3.6; 4] – POLITBURO. About improvements in Soviet laws on procedures established for treatment of psychiatric patients [R: 15 Nov 89, 3 pp – Pb 171-21]. 3 pp.

4 December 1989, 2451-K/OV [3.4; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Kryuchkov). Appeal for a pre-emptive nationwide labour strike has been issued by certain members of the People’s Congress of Soviet Deputies. (Document kindly provided by the Andrei Sakharov archive) [R: 4 Dec 89, 3 pp – 2451-K-OV]. 3 pp.

8 December 1989 *, 2482-K/ov [3.4; 4] – KGB REPORT (Kryuchkov) about Andrei SAKHAROV’s political activities [R: 8 Dec 89, 2482-K-OV]. 4 pp.

8 December 1989, 2483-K/ov [3.4; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Kryuchkov). The spread of an appeal for a strike throughout the USSR [R: 8 Dec 89, 2483-K-OV]. 2 pp.

5 December 1989 (no number) [5] – POLITBURO. Soviet contribution in 1990 to the “International Fund to aid Left-wing and Workers’ Organizations” (see pp. 2-4): total $22 million, all from USSR [R: 28 Dec 88, Pb 144-129]. 4 pp.

18 December 1989**, 2551-K [3.4; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Kryuchkov). Arrangements and KGB actions related to ANDREI SAKHAROV’s death and funeral [R: 18 Dec 89, 2551-K]. 2 pp.

20 December 1989*, 2568-K [3.4; 4] – KGB MEMORANDUM (Kryuchkov) on Andrei SAKHAROV’s funeral [R: 20 Dec 89, 3 pp – 2568-K]. 3 pp.

*

1990

6 February 1990**, St-10/3 [4; 7.2] – SECRETARIAT. Discontinuation of illegal crossing to Soviet territory by Iraqi Communist Party activists en route to other countries [R: 6 Feb 90, St 10-3]. 7 pp.

22 February 1990, St-112/116 [1.2; 4] – SECRETARIAT. Distribution in the USSR of periodical publications from communist and socialist countries [R: 22 Feb 90, St 112-116]. 4 pp.

30 May 1990, St 116 [1.4; 4] – SECRETARIAT. Preparations for Conference of the new ‘Russian Federation Communist Party’ [R: 30 May 90, St -116]. One page.

28 September 1990*, 06/2-439 [4; 5] – CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Problems arising from sequestration of East German Party archives by FRG authorities; CPSU response [R: 28 Sep 90, No 06-2-439]. 7 pp.

24 October 1990*, Pb 1193 [4] – POLITBURO. Report about congress of the newly-formed “Democratic Russia” movement and its anti-Communist stance [R: 24 Oct 90, 7 pp – Pb 1193]. 7 pp.

*

1991

11 January 1991* (no number) [2.2; 4] – CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Report from Committee officials in Lithuania about attempted takeover by “Committee for National Salvation” [R: 11 Jan 91]. 4 pp.

23 January 1991*, Pb 223 [4] – Moscow Party Committee to CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Large (“150,000” strong) anti-Gorbachov demonstration following Lithuanian events [R 20 Jan 91, Pb 223]. 2 pp.

15 February 1991, No 01499 [1.4; 4] – List of documents bearing GORBACHOV’s request for specific actions in 1990 [R: 15 Feb 91, No 01499]. 13 pp.

15 April 1991 (no number) [4] – Miners’ strike and necessary measures to stabilize situation in the USSR [R: 15 Apr 91]. 6 pp.

19 April 1991, St 1044 [4] – SECRETARIAT. Discussions and negotiations with leaders of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia [R: 19 Apr 91, 12 pp – St 1044]. 12 pp.

28 June 1991 (no number) [4; 6] – Political dialogue with foreign parties and political organizations. (Document kindly provided by Mr. Oleg Gordievsky) [R: 28 Jun 91]. 5 pp.

24 July 1991 (no number) [4; 5] – SECRETARIAT. Payment of debts owed by a firm belonging to Finnish Communist Party [R: 18 Jul 91, St 70-5]. 5 pp.

10 August 1991*, 1565-K [3.4; 4] – KGB LETTER (Kryuchkov) to the committee of the International Sakharov Congress “Peace, Progress and Human Rights” [R: 10 Aug 91, 3 pp – 1565-K]. 3 pp. (tbt)

5 December 1991*, No 90-680 [4] – SUPREME COURT of the Russian Federation. Annulment of BUKOVSKY’s 1967 conviction [R 5 Dec 91]. One page.

*

1992

31 December 1992** (no number) [4; 9.2] – Letter to RF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT Chairman. Request for 27 Central Committee documents about Afghanistan, to be included in the Case of the CPSU [R: 31 Dec 92]. 5 pp.

=================================

NOTES

  1. Three signatories were not listed in the New York Times: Yury Orlov, Leonid Plyushch and Olga Zinovieva. The seven named were described as “a group of dissident Soviet émigrés” who had prepared the ‘article’.
    ↩︎

================================