Soviet Union: The Soviet Leadership

A file containing documents relating to the political leadership of the Soviet Union. Subjects covered in the file include the death of the deputy head of the Soviet Committee for State Security (K.G.B.), Semen Tsvigun; reports of scandals and divisions in the leadership; a journal article critical of the president, Leonid Brezhnev, that evaded censorship; and a rumour that Brezhnev had died in March 1982. Other subjects discussed in the file include the rise of Konstantin Chernenko, identified as the "heir apparent" to Brezhnev; the likelihood of major economic reforms taking place; and a possible meeting between Brezhnev and the American president, Ronald Reagan, at the United Nations in New York. Documents in the file include a list of Soviet communist party and government appointments; and West German, American, and Canadian reports on the Soviet political situation and the succession to Brezhnev.