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 (1986-2019)
Tag: GORBACHEV, Mikhail*
The Status of these Archives
(July 2018; revised November 2019) In 1992, Vladimir Bukovsky was given access to the archives of the CPSU Central Committee in Moscow for a period of five months. 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 CPSU … 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)
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 her return to USSR. [R 20 Mar 86, Pb], 2 pp. (excerpt) ========================================= [page one of two] Top Secret Single copy (draft record) [...] [page two] 41. [...] GORBACHEV. There is one matter I have left until last. … Continue reading 20 March 1986* (Pb) Afghanistan, Alliluyeva
20 August 1980* (St 225/5) El Salvador
Secretariat Resolution. Send the El Salvador Communist Party in September-October 1980 an air shipment, from Hanoi to Havana, of 60-80 tons of Western-made small arms and ammunition. [R 20 August 1980, St 225-5] total 5 pp. ==================================== [page one of five] No St 225/5, 20 August 1980 Top Secret SPECIAL FILE RESOLUTION of the Secretariat … Continue reading 20 August 1980* (St 225/5) El Salvador
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], 2 pp. ============================ [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
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
30 December 1980* (St 243/8) North Caucasus
Secretariat. Resolution on action to take about anti-Russian feeling and actions in Karachaevo-Cherkessk Autonomous Region (North Caucasus). Based on 6-page report from ANDROPOV, 9 December 1980, No 2576-A. [R 30 Dec 80, 7 pp] (7 pp.) Excerpt. ========================================================== [page one of seven] No St 243/8, 30 December 1980 Top Secret SPECIAL FILE RESOLUTION of the … Continue reading 30 December 1980* (St 243/8) North Caucasus
29 October 1981* (Pb §2) Poland
Politburo meeting. RUSAKOV’s report on his visit to the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary to discuss the situation in Poland. Politburo concern over JARUZELSKI's failure to act. [R 29 October 1981, Politburo, para 2] total 6 pp. =========================================================== [page one of six] Top Secret Single Copy (Draft Minutes) MEETING OF CPSU POLITBURO 29 October 1981 … Continue reading 29 October 1981* (Pb §2) Poland
The Bukovsky Archives 