On the Record

Is Soviet military still a threat? With dramatic changes in Soviet Union (namely, Communists giving up monopoly on power) West is more likely to offer assistance. Richard Gasparre, in Jane’s Soviet Intelligence Review, states: “military reform [in USSR] is necessary to create the psychological conditions under which the West will make substantial contributions . . . Western loans .would help Soviet economic planners avoid a massive increase in the money supply, and therefore would help contain the short-term costs of perestroika.” … In two reports, CIA Director William Webster says the Soviet active measures and espionage have increased despite talk of easing tensions. And end-of-year New York Times story concludes, Soviets “have not slackened their vigorous efforts to steal Western technology.” . . . Back at home, January New York Times poll found 61 per cent of Americans believe Defense budget should either be increased or should remain the same. Some 45 per cent in Wall Street Journal/NBC poll believe cold war is not yet over. Some 61 per cent have a favorable opinion of George Bush, 51 per cent of Soviet leader Gorbachev . . . Lithuanian parliament approved resolution declaring Soviet annexation of Baltic state “unlawful and invalid.” Resolution calls for abolishing all ties to Soviet Union.

Rumblings in Eastern Europe continue. In poll by Central Institute for Youth Research, 76 per cent of East Germans would vote for German reunification, up from 48 per cent in same poll conducted in November. Also, East German Social Democratic Party (SPD), favorite of social democrats in West, would receive 54 per cent of vote if elections were held today; the Communist Party, 12 per cent . . . Senior advisor to Chancellor Helmut Kohl thinks East Germany could soon be insolvent; statement did not get much support from colleagues and West German business leaders . . . After four decades, Hungary and Vatican have restored diplomatic ties. Last summer Poland (home of Pope John Paul II) became first Warsaw Pact country to resume dealing with Holy See . . . Emilio Castro, head of World Council of Churches (WCC), conceded organization’s erring in not criticizing Rumania for religious persecution and human-right violations under Nicolae Ceausescu. In August 1988, Rumanian Orthodox Metropolitan Antonie of Transylvania threatened to walk out of WCC committee meeting if human-rights violations were discussed; they weren’t. Keeping silent is “the price we thought we needed to pay in order to help the human-rights situation inside Rumania.” . . . International Security Council reports that former U.S. assistant secretary of state Gaston Sigur made trip to North Korea in October to talk with Vice President Yi Chong-Ok, foreign minister Kim Yong-Nam, and others. Sigur suggested U.S. will try to improve relations with Communist North Korea by lifting ban on export of U.S. goods. This is same government Soviet politburo member Alexander Yakovlev criticized for its “closed-door policy.”

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Is Soviet military still a threat? With dramatic changes in Soviet Union (namely, Communists giving up monopoly on power) West is more likely to offer assistance. Richard Gasparre, in Jane’s Soviet Intelligence Review, states: “military reform [in USSR] is necessary to create the psychological conditions under which the West will make substantial contributions . . . Western loans .would help Soviet economic planners avoid a massive increase in the money supply, and therefore would help contain the short-term costs of perestroika.” … In two reports, CIA Director William Webster says the Soviet active measures and espionage have increased despite talk of easing tensions. And end-of-year New York Times story concludes, Soviets “have not slackened their vigorous efforts to steal Western technology.” . . . Back at home, January New York Times poll found 61 per cent of Americans believe Defense budget should either be increased or should remain the same. Some 45 per cent in Wall Street Journal/NBC poll believe cold war is not yet over. Some 61 per cent have a favorable opinion of George Bush, 51 per cent of Soviet leader Gorbachev . . . Lithuanian parliament approved resolution declaring Soviet annexation of Baltic state “unlawful and invalid.” Resolution calls for abolishing all ties to Soviet Union.

Rumblings in Eastern Europe continue. In poll by Central Institute for Youth Research, 76 per cent of East Germans would vote for German reunification, up from 48 per cent in same poll conducted in November. Also, East German Social Democratic Party (SPD), favorite of social democrats in West, would receive 54 per cent of vote if elections were held today; the Communist Party, 12 per cent . . . Senior advisor to Chancellor Helmut Kohl thinks East Germany could soon be insolvent; statement did not get much support from colleagues and West German business leaders . . . After four decades, Hungary and Vatican have restored diplomatic ties. Last summer Poland (home of Pope John Paul II) became first Warsaw Pact country to resume dealing with Holy See . . . Emilio Castro, head of World Council of Churches (WCC), conceded organization’s erring in not criticizing Rumania for religious persecution and human-right violations under Nicolae Ceausescu. In August 1988, Rumanian Orthodox Metropolitan Antonie of Transylvania threatened to walk out of WCC committee meeting if human-rights violations were discussed; they weren’t. Keeping silent is “the price we thought we needed to pay in order to help the human-rights situation inside Rumania.” . . . International Security Council reports that former U.S. assistant secretary of state Gaston Sigur made trip to North Korea in October to talk with Vice President Yi Chong-Ok, foreign minister Kim Yong-Nam, and others. Sigur suggested U.S. will try to improve relations with Communist North Korea by lifting ban on export of U.S. goods. This is same government Soviet politburo member Alexander Yakovlev criticized for its “closed-door policy.”