In Judgment in Moscow, Vladimir BUKOVSKY writes in passing with irony and scepticism of the Western reaction, in April 1986, to the explosion at the Chernobyl reactor and the behaviour of the Soviet leadership led by the "new Chichikov", Mikhail Gorbachev. Again and again, he notes disbelievingly, Western commentators urged that the new head of … Continue reading Secret Chernobyl
Category: 4. Perestroika
The Status of these Archives
(July 2018; lightly revised November 2019) In 1992, for a period of five months, Vladimir Bukovsky was given access to the archives of the CPSU Central Committee in Moscow. The new Russian government of Boris Yeltsin asked him to speak as a witness on its behalf at the forthcoming "trial of the Communist Party" (the … Continue reading The Status of these Archives
Is Glasnost a Game of Mirrors? (1987)
«The New York Times» (22 March 1987) Are Mikhail S. Gorbachev's new policies the historical turning point we have been praying for, signaling the end of oppression and misery in the Soviet Union? Or are we witnessing only a short-lived ''thaw,'' a tactical retreat before the next offensive, as Lenin put it in 1921? True, … Continue reading Is Glasnost a Game of Mirrors? (1987)
Alternative sources (1968-1991)
The 63 published issues of the bi-monthly CHRONICLE OF CURRENT EVENTS (April 1968 to June 1982) can all be accessed in English translation. The Russian original ХРОНИКА ТЕКУЩИХ СОБЫТИЙ has been available online since 2008. For example -- A contemporary account of the events leading up to Alexander Solzhenitsyn's expulsion on 13 February from the USSR, … Continue reading Alternative sources (1968-1991)
9 December 1986* (2407-Ch) Sakharov and Bonner
Secretariat. Measures relating to Andrei SAKHAROV; annulment of decree for Sakharov’s exile and pardon for his wife Elena BONNER (8 pp). [Russian: 9 Dec 86, 2407-Ch] =================================== [pages one to four] Secret 9 December 1986 To the CPSU Central Committee Concerning suggestions about A.D. Sakharov [...] The decision that it was necessary to halt Sakharov’s … Continue reading 9 December 1986* (2407-Ch) Sakharov and Bonner
6 February 1990** (St-10/3) Iraq
Secretariat. Discontinuation of illegal crossing to the Soviet territory by activists of the Iraqi Communist Party en route to other countries (7 pp). [R 6 Feb 90, St 10-3] =========================================================== [Translator’s notes are bracketed] SPECIAL FOLDER TOP SECRET 522 ...CT-10/3g of 11.06.90 RESOLUTION Of the Secretariat of the CC of the Communist Party of the … Continue reading 6 February 1990** (St-10/3) Iraq
18 December 1989** (2551-K) Sakharov
KGB to Secretariat. Arrangements and KGB actions related to ANDREI SAKHAROV’s death and funeral (2 pp). [R 18 Dec 89, 2551-K] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- English Translation by Marta Olynyk, July 2010 [Translator's notes are bracketed 176 [Stamp in upper right-hand comer: indecipherable words except for “Copy no.”] 18.12.89 No. 2551-K CC CPSU [Stamp: “DECLASSIFIED”; illegible words, except … Continue reading 18 December 1989** (2551-K) Sakharov
20 March 1986* (Pb) Afghanistan, Alliluyeva
Politburo. Various topics discussed: situation in Afghanistan, renaming the L.I. Brezhnev icebreaker, and letter from SVETLANA ALLILUYEVA about return to USSR (2 pp). [R 20 Mar 86, Pb] Excerpt =========================================================== [page one of two] Top Secret Single copy (draft record) [...] [page two] 41. [...] GORBACHEV. There is one matter I have left until last. On … Continue reading 20 March 1986* (Pb) Afghanistan, Alliluyeva
31 December 1992* [Presidential Administration] Afghanistan
Letter to Chairman of the RF Constitutional Court. Request for 27 Central Committee documents about Afghanistan to be added to the case materials for the defence at the Trial of the CPSU. [R 31 Dec 92] total 5 pp. See 9.2 The USSR and Afghanistan for translations of most of the documents listed below. ========================================================== … Continue reading 31 December 1992* [Presidential Administration] Afghanistan
5 December 1991* (No 90-680) Bukovsky
Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Annulment of BUKOVSKY’s 1967 conviction. [Russian 5 Dec 91] ====================================== [page one of one] RSFSR Supreme Court 103289 Moscow, Kuibyshev Square, 3/7 5 December 1991 No. 680 / 90 In response to No.: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN In accordance with the resolution of the Presidium of the RSFSR … Continue reading 5 December 1991* (No 90-680) Bukovsky
20 December 1989** (2568-K) Sakharov
KGB on ANDREI SAKHAROV’s funeral (3 pp). [R 20 Dec 89, 3 pp – 2568-K] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Translator's notes are bracketed, tr Marta Olynyk] kb-4 [two illegible words] DISTRIBUTED No. 1658 Secret 177 Copy no.: 2 20.12.89 No. 2568-K CC CPSU On the Completion of Mourning Events in Connection with the Death of A. [Andrei] D. … Continue reading 20 December 1989** (2568-K) Sakharov
4 December 1987* (2451-Ch) human rights
Report to Central Committee from leading Politburo members (SHEVARDNADZE, ALEXANDER YAKOVLEV, CHEBRIKOV) about a proposal by activists to hold a seminar on human rights in Moscow (excerpts). Measures are suggested to hinder both the holding of the seminar and the participation of guests from abroad and other parts of the USSR. On 19 December 1987 … Continue reading 4 December 1987* (2451-Ch) human rights
23 January 1991* (Pb 223) demonstration
Moscow Party Committee to CPSU Central Committee. Report on a vast anti-Gorbachev demonstration in the centre of the Soviet capital following the January events in Lithuania. [R 20 January 1991, Pb 223] ==================================== [page one of two] Return to the Protocol sector of the CPSU Central Committee General Department [vertical text on left margin - … Continue reading 23 January 1991* (Pb 223) demonstration
11 January 1991* (No 00766) Lithuania
Central Committee. Report from Committee officials in Lithuania about the attempted takeover by the "Committee for National Salvation" (4 pp). [R 11 Jan 91] ========================================================== [page one of four] To the CPSU Central Committee About the events in Lithuania Senior staff of the [CPSU] Central Committee (Comrades Kazyulin and Udovichenko) who are in Lithuania, report … Continue reading 11 January 1991* (No 00766) Lithuania
24 October 1990* (Pb 1193) Democratic Russia
Politburo. Report about the founding congress of the "Democratic Russia" movement and its anti-Communist stance (7 pp). [R 24 Oct 90, 7 pp - Pb 1193] Excerpt. =========================================================== [page one of seven] No Pb 1193 24 October 1990 To Members of the CPSU Central Committee Politburo, Secretaries of the CPSU Central Committee, members of the … Continue reading 24 October 1990* (Pb 1193) Democratic Russia
28 September 1990* (06/2-439) GDR Archives
Central Committee. Periodic threat that the East German Party archives will be seized by the FRG authorities; the response of the CPSU, September 1990 to March 1991 (7 pp). [R 28 Sep 90, No 06-2-439] Excerpt. =========================================================== [page one of seven] Send to Politburo members and Secretaries of the CPSU Central Committee for voting October … Continue reading 28 September 1990* (06/2-439) GDR Archives
24 January 1989* (Pb 146/VI) Afghanistan withdrawal
Politburo. The imminent withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, alternative scenarios. [R 24 Jan 89, Pb 146-VI] total 13 pp. (excerpt) =========================================================== [page one of thirteen] Return to CPSU Central Committee (General Department, Sector 2) within 3 days Workers of all Lands, Unite! COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE SOVIET UNION. CENTRAL COMMITTEE TOP SECRET SPECIAL FILE … Continue reading 24 January 1989* (Pb 146/VI) Afghanistan withdrawal
22 October 1986 * (Pb §1) Soviet diplomats
Politburo meeting. Expulsion of Soviet diplomats from the USA and planned Soviet retaliation. [R 22 oct 86, Pb] ============================================================= [page one of five] Top Secret Single Copy (Draft Minutes) MEETING OF CPSU POLITBURO 22 October 1986 In the chair Comrade M.S. GORBACHEV In attendance: Comrades G.A. Aliyev, A.A.Gromyko, L.N. Zaikov, Ye.K. Ligachev, N.I. Ryzhkov, M.S. … Continue reading 22 October 1986 * (Pb §1) Soviet diplomats
31 July 1986 * (1503-Ch) Human Rights campaign
KGB report (Chebrikov). Proposed measures against "US anti-Soviet campaign related to human rights" and the corresponding Central Committee Resolution (4 pp). [R 31 Jul 86, 1503-Ch] =========================================================== [page one of four] Secret July 1986, No 1503-Ch To the CPSU Central Committee Measures to counter the anti-Soviet campaign in the USA about human rights issues According … Continue reading 31 July 1986 * (1503-Ch) Human Rights campaign
26 December 1986* (2521‑Ch) Pardons
KGB report (Chebrikov). Proposal to issue State pardons for special categories of criminals [dissidents] on condition that they cease their "anti-Soviet" activities (6 pp). [Russian: 26 Dec 86, 2522-Ch] Excerpts. ====================================== [page one of six] Top Secret 26 December 1986, No 2521-Ch To the CPSU Central Committee Freeing certain categories of individual from criminal responsibility and … Continue reading 26 December 1986* (2521‑Ch) Pardons
01 June 1986* (1135-Ch) Writers
KGB (Chebrikov) to Central Committee. Attempts by "the Adversary" to subvert Soviet writers and restore reputation of emigré authors (5 pp). [R 1 Jun 86, 5 pp – 1135-Ch]. Excerpts. ========================================================== [page one of five] Resolution of Comrade Gorbachev see p. 5 Secret [illegible] June 1986, No 1135-Ch To the CPSU Central Committee [Partially illegible] … Continue reading 01 June 1986* (1135-Ch) Writers
14 November 1989* (2292-K/ov) Miners
KGB memo (Kryuchkov) to Central Committee (Gorbachev). SAKHAROV's influence on the striking miners in Vorkuta. [R 14 Nov 89, 2292-K-OV] =========================================================== [page one of two] Special Importance Copy No 2 14 November 1989, No 2292-K/ov To the CPSU Central Committee Attention: Comrade M.S. Gorbachev Concerning the influence of A.D. Sakharov on the strike movement in … Continue reading 14 November 1989* (2292-K/ov) Miners
26 June 1986* (Pb) Writers
Politburo meeting. Alexander YAKOVLEV reports on the Congress of the Writers' Union. Discussion of ways to manage changes in the union's bureaucracy [R 26 Jun 86, Pb], 5 pp. =========================================================== [page one of five] Top Secret Single Copy (Draft Minutes) MEETING OF CPSU POLITBURO 26 June 1986 In the chair Comrade M.S. GORBACHEV In attendance: … Continue reading 26 June 1986* (Pb) Writers
4 February 1987* (206-B) Marchenko
KGB memorandum (Bobkov) to International Department. What to tell French Communists about Anatoly MARCHENKO and Alexander OGORODNIKOV. (Marchenko died in December 1986, following a lengthy hunger strike in Chistopol Prison.) [Russian: 4 Feb 87 – 206-B] ======================= [one page] Secret 4 February 1987, No 206-B Comrade Yu.I. Zuyev, deputy head of the CPSU Central Committee … Continue reading 4 February 1987* (206-B) Marchenko
27 July 1988* (1541-K) Rights activists
KGB to the Central Committee: About intentions of anti-Soviet elements to hold an international seminar on "The KGB and Perestroika" in Moscow (2 pp). [R 27 Jul 88, 1541-K] =========================================================== [page one of two] Top Secret 27 July 1988, No 1541-K To the CPSU Central Committee The intention of anti-social elements to hold an international … Continue reading 27 July 1988* (1541-K) Rights activists
