European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 3, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Magazine >1 participant in a pro democracy rally in Moscow feb. 25 demonstrates his feelings about the soviet system by ripping apart a portrait of its founder score on the East bloc the Spring of 1990 holds the Promise of momentous transformation As the nations of Eastern Europe hold elections in their quest for democracy and As a disengaged soviet Union strives to forge ahead with change amid an explosion of internal conflicts. Marc d. Chamey and Anne Zusy of the new York times compiled this country by country look at where things stand in Eastern Europe and the soviet Union a for the moment. Soviet Union lighting the match watching the flames Mikhail s. Gorbachev is shitting authority from the communist party to a More democratic government and consolidating Power in his own hands As the government Leader a giving Rise to bitter debate Over danger of new dictatorship. The supreme soviet the parliament has endorsed overwhelmingly a draft Law that would create the new Post of executive president As part of a major revision of the soviet constitutional Structure that would Lead to a multiparty system. It also convened an extraordinary session of the Congress of people s deputies the supreme legislature for March 12-13. It must also approve the Bill and choose a president certain to be Gorbachev. Party insurgents and non communists speak More freely competitive elections have been introduced the Economy is experimenting with Market mechanisms and the military Burden is being Cut. But the Economy Only seems to Worsen and despite the Praise outsiders lavish on Gorbachev a policies at Home Many Are fearful about the future. With political loosening has come the Rise of nationalist movements that threaten to fragment the country. Political change Gorbachev is Leader of the communist party and head of the government. He has surrounded himself with Loyal proponents of Reform including foreign minister Eduard a. Shevardnadze Aleksandr n. Yakovlev the foreign affairs adviser and Deputy prime minister Leonid i. Balkin the chief economic adviser. Gorbachev set the stage for the transformation of the communist world by opening up political discussion launching economic innovations and announcing intentions to Cut soviet troop strength in the East bloc. Last year partially competitive elections chose a revamped Congress of Peoples deputies the most visible Symbol of Gorbachev s Effort to shift Power at All Levels of government from party functionaries to elected officials. In the wings progressive minded deputies in the National Congress have become in effect a Loyal opposition and could be the nucleus of a new party some Day. Social democratic parties have been formed in the Baltic republics where multiparty systems have been legalized. Similar organizations Are emerging elsewhere. There is talk of forming workers parties and peasants parties. Nationalist movements often called popular fronts have emerged in most republics. Some especially in the Baltic seek Independence posing a serious Challenge to Gorbachev s visions. Communist party and police state the party remains in charge but is moving to legalize a multiparty system As it faces a crisis of Confidence among the general Public and loss of membership in its youth league. In elections for the National Congress last March the party suffered embarrassing losses. Great friction has emerged Between the conservatives who continued on Page 14 saturday March 3, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page
