European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 15, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Mikhai Gorbachev How real is the change by Andrew Rosenthal associated press in less than two years Mikhail 5 Gorbachev Kremlin has shaken the nation s slumbering Economy declared a on bureaucracy free political prisoners loosened some limitations on cultural activity and challenged the Way that for do Cadjo. Outsiders have viewed the soviet Union. Some of those moves have been dramatic. But so far the changes have had a limited Impact on the daily lives of the Nahon s 280 million citizens what has been especially sinking is Iho Way Gorbachev has loosened the Seal of secrecy around soviet Lite ally tved artists writers and actors their Lisl Lasto of ref Alivo Freedom in so years and debunked some historical taboos the communist party Leader also has displayed Confidence by challenging the administrative and political apparatus and has shown a feeling for Public relations unmatched by previous Kremlin leaders. Many soviets speak positively about the changing atmosphere Bui their optimism is tempered by caution born o seeing earlier Hopes of Reform under previous soviet leaders dashed by political and cultural repression corruption and economic stagnation. Of photo Gorbachev s adherence to Man test Leninist pattern May frustrate ambitious no Ort. The 55-year-old Gorbachev regularly offers reminders that whatever comes out of his new Era it will fit into the Mold created by Vladimir i. Lenin toughened by Josef Stalin and changed Little by Nikita Khrushchev Leonid Brezhnev Yuri Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko. Gorbachev told an american delegation recently that his goal is not a renunciation of the socialist system let nobody have any Hopes for Somo soviets and westerners believe Gorbachev s adherence to the marxist Leninist pattern May frustrate some of his More ambitious reforms. Some of the most dramatic recent changes have come in the Kremlin s approach to human rights and emigration. Last year the Kremlin released dissidents Natan Sharansky and Yuri Orlov in prisoner swaps. Soviet leaders also allowed Andrei Sakharov the Dean of the 1970s dissident movement to return to Moscow from his exile in the City of Gorky. Last week the soviets announced the release of 1-10 More dissidents Allol whom had been convicted of various subversive activities. Experts say the 1-10 Are about one filth of the political prisoners in the country. All of this including the Freedom of expression that has been Given to Sakharov in Moscow would have been unthinkable a year ago. Bui it s not Clear yet if the Kremlin is displaying new tolerance of dissent or simply a realization that it can resolve with relative ease specific cases thai have troubled its relations with the West for years. Soviel officials mostly have continued to dismiss dissidents religious activists and would be emigres As criminals traitors and Loots of Western intelligence services. In addition reported offers of Freedom for some imprisoned leading dissidents Are said to be contingent on their leaving the country. Some of these people never sough to emigrate. It appears Iho Kremlin Learned that dissidents abroad Are less damaging to its image than dissidents in Tabor Camps. Whatever the new policy in is not consistent. Naum Meiman a former member of Moscow s Helsinki human rights group is not allowed to leave the country although his cancer stricken wife has been sent to the United Stales Tor treatment. In Laic 1986, soviet officials announced what they called More humane emigration rules. However some Are More restrictive than before. They make formal what activists refer to As artificial barriers including the required invitation from an immediate relative living abroad. Samuil zips a government spokesman on jewish emigration said 500 exit visas were approved in january Andrei Sakharov Back in Moscow after Gorky exile. Dissidents Yuri Orton left and Natan Sharansky were released by the Kremlin in prisoner swaps last year. Page 14 the stars and stripes sunday Pel
