LETTER TO JACK VALENTI FROM WILLIAM H. WEBSTER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B01306R001400120001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2013
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 21, 1989
• Content Type: LETTER

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Central Intelligence Agency
Washington. 0. C.20505
2 1 SEP 1989
uoi-atemr90
Mr. Jack Valenti
President and Chief Executive Officer
Motion Picture Association of America, Inc.
1600 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Dear Jack,
Thank you for your letter of 11 September about the Soviet
Politburo. In the more open atmosphere since Gorbachev became
General Secretary in March 1985, we have learned more about
personal relations between Politburo members. In response to
your specific questions:
o At formal Politburo meetings, members usually begin by
using other members' first name and patronymics. Since
many members of the Politburo have known each other for
decades, conversations frequently become more informal.
At one public meeting in 1987, for example, Gorbachev
used the familiar "thou" (II) form in addressing old
Politburo associates. Prime Minister Ryzhkov recently
said that Politburo meetings are often characterized by
"table pounding" and shouting. In these meetings, the
members reportedly used first names and the thou form.
? Gorbachev has two titles: General Secretary of the
Central Committee of the Communist Party and Chairman of
the Supreme Soviet. A lower ranking party official would
probably address him as Comrade General Secretary.
During a Supreme Soviet debate, Soviet Parliamentarians
would address him as either Comrade Chairman or--more
likely--Mikhail Sergeevich. Politburo members address
Gorbachev publicly as Mikhail Sergeevich. We believe
that someone of Dobrynin's position would use the same
formula.
o An official visiting the Embassy in Washington--if he was
of lower rank would use "Comrade Ambassador." If he was
of the same rank, i.e., a member of the Central Committee
or a senior official, he would use his first name and
patronymic in public.
(
EXEC
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Mr. Jack Valenti
o Gorbachev's office is in the Central Committee building
on Staraya Ploshchad (Old Square) outside the Kremlin.
All the best for your novel which I am looking forward to with
delight. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not
hesitate to write.
Sincerely,
Is! William H. Webster
William H. Webster
Director of Central Intelligence
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Ecoutip
JACK VALE,NTI
PRESIDENT
AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA, INC.
1600 EYE STREET NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
[phone]
611j2.-
89,-3651
September 11, 1989
I come to you with some questions whose answers
are required for a novel I am writing. I am nearing the end
of this opus (you were kind enough to allow me to extract
some information from the FBI when you were there) and I
would so appreciate if you could pass this on one of your
aides who might be able to furnish me this data.
1. How do Politburo members address each other
in meetings and when they gather? Do they use the
patronymic, and if they do, when do they use it?
2. What is the precise title of Gorbachev? How is
he addressed, "Mr. General Secretary" or "Mr. President?" If
someone lower in rank than Gorbachev addressed him, how
would he? How would Politburo members address him, and
how would, say, Dobrynin address him?
3. If a top ranking Soviet. official visited the USSR
embassy in Washington, how would the Ambassador address
him and vice versa?
4. Is it not true that Gorbachev's office is in the
Central Committee headquarters and not in the Kremlin?
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I don't think any of these questions violates national
security which is why I take the liberty of asking you to help
me.
Many thanks, Bill.
Sincerely,
The Honorable William Webster
Director
Central Intelligence
Old Executive Office Bldg.
Washington, DC
HAND DELIVERED
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