ieved that there was little time for the Soviet Union to reform itself - it would either improve its status or become a forgotten third-world nation. The main component of Gorbachev's perestroika plan was glasnost, or openness. This policy was aimed at giving the populous back its voice in government, allowing constructive criticism of the system. (Lih) Politically, Gorbachev wanted to shift the nation's leadership from party to state; that is, to establish an elected body of rule, accountable to the people, in place of the Communists as U.S.S.R.'s rulers. He began discussions with the rest of the world, beginning with his appointment of Eduard Shevardnadze as foreign minister. The duo preached a "new thinking" which focused on cooperation instead of confrontation. (Lih) Most of the world was doubtful of Gorbachev's honesty in these matters, and his words were met with cautious optimism at best. Skepticism was increased with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which the Russians attempted to cover up. Gorbachev, however, was a shrewd politician, and turned the event to his benefit. He proclaimed Chernobyl to be a symbol of the old order and instituted a policy of nearly total disclosure. (Lih) These words did not ring in the ears of the Western world for long. In the fall of 1987, Boris Yeltsin, the leader of a radical reform movement growing within the U.S.S.R., was removed from one of the top offices within the party. (Lih) However, despite opposition by the Communists - or possibly because of it - Yeltsin was elected to the legislature the next year. Glasnost eventually did gain momentum, as the Soviets began to disclose the details of Stalin's crimes to the world. In 1989, Soviet troops were finally withdrawn from Afghanistan after an occupation of ten years. (Lih) B. The Reunification of Germany The first and most prominent sign that Communism was failing was shown in Germany. Following World War II, Hitler's German s...
