NEW RUSSIAN LEADER
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from March 1985.
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In addition, they said, it takes years before a Soviet leader can amass enough personal power to effect major changes.
But they noted one major difference whereas Chernenko was, at 72, the oldest man to become party chief, Gorbachev is the youngest since Josef Stalin took. power in 1924 at age 45. "Gorbachev has a lot of time to consolidate his position," said one diplomat.
It was not known whether Gorbachev would also be made Soviet President, as Chernenko and his two predecessors were. That designation is made by the supreme Soviet, the National Parliament.
Professor Walter Laqueur of both Georgetown University and London's Weiner Library, said: "there's not the slightest doubt that Gorbachev's priorities are in the domestic field, specifically economic."
Gorbachev's quick succession -- announced just four hours after Chernenko's death was made known -- indicated he may possess some of the skills he will need to consolidate power.
The lightning pace of events contrasted with the almost 19-hour delay in announcing Chernenko's death and previous successions, which took days to transpire. For example, Chernenko was not named party head in February 1984 until four days after Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov died Feb. 9. Soviet sources said then that Gorbachev would be Andropov's successor, indicated that Politburo wrangling over whether to hand the succession to the youngest member of the ruling body or keep it in the hands of the "old guard" may have caused delay.
One of Gorbachev's first tasks will be to solidify his support in the hierarchy. An early indicator of success would be the party congress expected in early 1986, which will install the first new central committee since 1981.
"If Gorbachev succeeds in putting onto the central committee men who are behind him, you will see a faster consolidation," said Georgetown Professor Angela E. Stent, who lectures frequently on east-west relations.
