ZELNICK REPORTS ON SELECTION OF ANDROPOV

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000100440005-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 18, 2007
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 12, 1982
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

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RADIO TV REPORTS, INC.
4701 WILLARD AVENUE, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND 20815 656-4068
Good Morning, America
November 12, 1982 7:00 AM
STATION WJLA TV
ABC Network
Zelnick Reports on Selection of Andropov
Washington, DC
STEVE BELL: As we said, a day after the Soviet Union
announced the death of President Brezhnev, the Kremlin has
selected his replacement. While thousands of Soviet soldiers
filed past Brezhnev's casket today, the Communist Party leader-
ship was busy selecting former KGB chief Yuri Andropov as the
Secretary-General of the Soviet Communist Party. No word yet on
whether he'll also take over Brezhnev's other role as President.
More on Andropov from Bob Zelnick in Moscow.
BOB ZELNICK: Andropov is 68 years old. He is regarded
by Western diplomats as an able and intelligent man, fluent in
English. He was also a patron of the U. S. A./Canada Institute
and its head, Georgi Arbatov.
He may be more prone to experiment, economically and in
other ways, than any other senior member of the Politburo. He
did head the KGB beginning in 1967, but those who are students of
the Soviet Union say he was named to that post because the Com-
munist Party wanted to get rid of a loose cannon. It wanted
somebody who reflected the party view controlling the secret
police of the Soviet Union.
It should also be noted that while KGB chief, he
effectively stamped out the dissident movement. However, there
are members and former members of the dissident community who
feel that, behind this tough facade, there lurks the soul of a
real civil libertarian, at least in Soviet terms.
BELL: Robert Zelnick in Moscow this morning.
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BELL: There's a new man on top at the Kremlin today.
Less than three days after the death of Leonid Brezhnev, former
KGB chief Yuri Andropov has been elected chief of the Soviet
Communist Party; that, of course, the principal power position
in the Soviet Union. It's not known yet whether Andropov will
also have Brezhnev's largely ceremonial title of President.
ZELNICK: The 68 year old former diplomat and KGB chief
is considered by Western diplomats as by far the most able among
senior Politburo figures. Fluent in English, polished and
urbane, he has a varied background. As a diplomat, he was Soviet
Ambassador to Hungary at the time of the 1956 revolt and Soviet
invasion. He was named to head the KGB in 1967, the appointment
reflecting the desire of the Communist Party to control an agency
which had become a loose cannon.
As KGB chief, he ran the crackdown on Soviet dissidents
and refuseniks, but also made friends with several dissidents who
regard him as a relatively liberal fellow, at least in Soviet
terms. It is not known whether today's release of Lech Walesa by
Polish authorities was coordinated with Andropov.
Andropov was elected to the Politburo in 1973. This
March he relinquished his KGB post to join the Politburo's
steering committee. He is known as a strong supporter of de-
tente, which he described in 1975 as "a continous process which
demands constant movement forward." But there is no sense that
as a veteran communist, he intends to change Soviet policies on
internal dissent, Eastern Europe, Third World wars of national
liberation, or other matters that have recently fractured East-
West relations.
Today's quick Central Committee action, particularly in
light of the fact that Andropov was nominated by Konstantin
Chernenko, the other leading contender, clearly reflects the
perceived need for continuity on the part of Soviet authorities.
In all probability, it also reflects the real division of power
during the last months of Leonid Brezhnev's life.
Bob Zelnick, ABC News, Moscow.
BELL: Kremlin watchers, of course, have been keeping a
close eye on Yuri Andropov since he was elevated to the Soviet
Politburo last May. Barrie Dunsmore [is] at the State Department
this morning. And Barrie, what do U. S. officials have to say
about this man on top at the Kremlin?
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BARRIE DIJNSMORE: Well, Steve, of all of the known
candidates, Yuri Andropov probably would have been Washington's
choice, although that should not be taken as an endorsement. But
men like Viktor Grishin were considered real hardliners, and
Chernenko looked as though he might be weak, so he was no
bargain.
There are some negative feelings about Andropov. Re-
ferring to his years at the KGB, one senator said yesterday it
would be like having J. Edgar Hoover become President here.
The solid Kremlinologists in this country appear to
respect Andropov. They say that on most issues over the years
he has come firmly down in the center. And it's considered a
plus that he appears to have had the early backing of both
Foreign Minister Gromyko and Defense Minister Ustinov. Some
people are impressed that he has a sophisticated veneer, speaks
English, likes French wines, and so on. Perhaps the most
positive aspect of that part of his image is that a man with
world experience may not be quite as narrow in his views as some
of the old Bolsheviks.
However, Andropov is also known to be tough. You don't
head the KGB for 15 years as Mr. Nice Guy. At the same time,
several analysts feel that with any strong and healthy Soviet
leader, there are now real chances to begin to improve U. S.-
Soviet relations.
Steve?
BELL: Thank you, Barrie.
[Please note: The above two reports by Bob Zelnick were
broadcast at 7:30 and 8:00 AM. A third report at 8:30 is identi-
cal to that broadcast at 8:00.]
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