Soviet Union: Death and Funeral of Leonid Brezhnev, President of the Soviet Union (November 1982) and the Succession of Yuri Andropov

A file containing documents relating to the death and funeral of the Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev. Subjects covered in the file include the representation of the British government by the Foreign Secretary, Francis Pym; the possibility of Pym meeting his American counterpart, George Shultz, whilst attending the funeral; the Soviet leadership's display of stability and continuity in rapidly choosing Yurii Andropov to replace Brezhnev; Andropov's background as the chairman of the Soviet Committee for State Security (K.G.B.); and a meeting between Pym and the Soviet foreign minister, Andrei Gromyko. Documents in the file include biographical notes on Andropov and other members of the Soviet leadership; speeches given by Soviet leaders at the funeral; and an interview given by Pym to the B.B.C. before attending the funeral. The file also includes information on a British intelligence officer, Geoffrey Prime, who was convicted of spying for the Soviet Union.