European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 11, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine by Mark  associated press he famiuaf1 r act. Of Souriel president Andrei a Giom to out n pie Sonco in Moscow he s a visible Symbol of continuity  the old order and Iho unsettled now world Ching Buill by communist  chill Mikhail s Gorbachev. The official Media carry to polls almost daily that Gromyko who served As lord Iron minister Lor nearly three decades has met  a visiting head of stale television viewers Sav Tho 77  old Leader who served As foreign minister Foi nearly Throo decades paying n game with a children s peace group and giving a lesson in soviet Aims policies. Western diplomats in Moscow say that although Gromyko appears uncomfortable Wilh some of Gorbachev s policies to is unlikely to stand in the Way of i he younger Man s Effort to transform soviet society. This is a transition period said Ono Western Diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity this is a Man of Tho past he s in the transition but he s not going to survive  four months Al Lor Gorbachev assumed the leadership in March 1bb5, Gromyko gave up hi9 Power Baso As foreign minister to make room for a Gorbachev confidant Eduard a Shevardnadze Gromyko accepted the largely ceremonial presidency. So Long As Gromyko was at the foreign ministry he could make things happen Tho Diplomat said. Now he can articulate his views but it s Dill cult Lor him to make things  he nonetheless remains a member of the ruling politburo and there arc indications he played a crucial Roll in Gorbachev s Elevation. Gromyko who Seivold Josul Stalin in Washington and became foreign minister under Nikita s Khrushchev was the senior member of the politburo at the death of Kon slant u Chernenko and As such would Hava chaired the mooting to pick a successor. Soviet writer Mikhail Shaurov recently told a finnish newspaper trial Gromyko broke a tie and cast the deciding vote for Gorbachev More than one diplomatic analyst regards that As plausible although few in Moscow pretend to have inside information about the operations of the highly secret body Gromyko an economist by raining probably favored Gorbachev because he realised the need or drawl to change and saw no feasible alternative forthe Mure one diploma said. The soviet president spoke out strongly for economic restructuring in a speech to the supreme soviet in june. The party and the people arc now racing against Lime he Toich the nominal parliament the whole world is wailing Lor the outcome of this race. Every soviet citizen has in his mind and heart to embrace the restructuring not Only As a social necessity but As a personal  but observers say there s a limit to his support Tor Gorbachev s policies and that he appears to draw the line at glasnost the policy of allowing greater criticism and openness or Orr no keeps quiet on the subject Here s 6 Guy who All his Hie is used to having things handled in a certain Way said another Diplomat and All of a sudden Boom everything s coming out in  displaying a interest