From Brezhnev To Gorbachev by Baruch A. Hazan

Author:Baruch A. Hazan [Hazan, Baruch A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Europe, Former Soviet Republics, Russia & the Former Soviet Union
ISBN: 9780813303680
Google: 6Qu6AAAAIAAJ
Publisher: Avalon Publishing
Published: 1987-07-20T01:34:52+00:00

Chernenko Returns Briefly

Upon his return from his seven-week absence, Chernenko was eager to revive his image as the active, dynamic leader. On 21 September the anniversary of the Soviet-Finnish armistice was marked. In the past this routine event had never been an occasion for a major statement by a top Soviet leader. But Chernenko badly needed public exposure and grabbed the chance to make a public appearance. Soviet television viewers saw a videorecording of an old and visibly sick Chernenko delivering a message to the Finnish people.66 The seated Chernenko struggled to deliver the text of his address (the film clearly had been spliced) and showed signs of his well-known respiratory problem. The background was neutral and nondescript, giving no hint as to where the recording had been made. Chernenko's performance lasted a scant five minutes.

Two days later on 23 September, the eve of Chernenko's seventythird birthday, a Supreme Soviet decree was promulgated, awarding Chernenko a third star for his Hero of Soviet Labor order.67 This was a throwback to Brezhnev's last years, when the conferring of successive awards on Brezhnev seemed to be used to build up his stature and improve his image. The normal practice was to award leaders on their round birthdays, so Chernenko's seventy-third birthday was not a usual occasion for such an award. In announcing the decree, Pravda stated that it had been conferred on Chernenko for "his exceptional service in leading the party and state," as well as for "strengthening the Soviet defensive capability" and "strengthening peace and security."68

The award ceremony took place on 27 September.69 This was a further break with tradition, since such ceremonies normally were held immediately after promulgation of the award or on the birthday itself. The television videofilm showed Chernenko in poor physical shape. Standing stiffly, he managed to deliver a short speech. This time he tried to get through the speech as fast as possible in an attempt to shorten the ordeal. The sight aroused pity in the viewers.70 The other speaker at the award ceremony was Marshal Ustinov. He attempted to boost his colleague's prestige, referring to him as "chairman of the Defense Council and supreme Commander in Chief."71 No leader since Stalin had been accorded the last title.

On 25 September Chernenko took part in another event that did not require his presence—the public meeting to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the USSR Writers' Union.72 In the report of the event in the "Vremya" television program73 viewers could see Gorbachev's improved rating; he now occupied the official third place in the lineup, after Chernenko and Tikhonov and in front of Ustinov.

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