ABSTRACT

The contradictory indications of Konstantin Chernenko's status and Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov's position, as well as the relative standings of the other leading members of the Politburo, were expected to be partially clarified. In an atmosphere of complete unanimity, the plenum considered it justifiable that Comrade Andropov, general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee, should also hold the post of chairman of the USSR Supreme Soviet Presidium. From time to time Soviet sources leaked to foreign newspapers and even officials "reports" converning Andropov's imminent return to regular duties. Andropov's customary use of the first person in articles was replaced by phrases emphasizing that the expressed views were those of the Soviet leadership. Andropov's faction, led by Mikhail Gorbachev, was also alert to the possibilities for exploiting Andropov's indisposition and scrambling for a better position in the impending leadership struggle for Andropov's succession.