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1979 Jun 20 - 1987 Aug 5
Prime Ministerial Private Office files

PREM19/2535
Soviet Union (Domestic scene: Soviet leadership succession (Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko, Gorbachev)) (Part 2)

Source: TNA, PREM19 series
Release date: 2017 Dec 29
Classification: Secret
Page count: 337
Any docs withheld? 6
Themes: British relations with the Soviet Union, Foreign policy (USA), Foreign policy (USSR & successor states), Foreign policy (Central & Eastern Europe), Defence (general), Defence (arms control)

PREM19/2535 - download whole file (PDF, 340.75 MB)

Selections from this file

Showing items 21 - 35 of 35

Date Value Title
85 Feb 1 Fr Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 133 to FCO (1245Z) ("The Soviet Leadership") [indications from Party leadership schedules of Chernenko's illness] [released Dec 2017]
85 Feb 6 We Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 158 to FCO (1345Z) ("Soviet Leadership") [latest indications regarding Chernenko's health & Gorbachev's possible succession] [released Dec 2017]
85 Mar 1 Fr Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 275 to FCO (1145Z) ("Chernenko") [report on most recent public appearance: "may have done more harm than good"] [released Dec 2017]
85 Mar 13 We Major Soviet Union: FCO minute to No.10 ("Soviet Statements on Nuclear Weapons") [response to MT query prompted by reference in Gorbachev election speech to complete elimination of nuclear weapons] [released Dec 2017]
85 Apr 24 We Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 568 to FCO (1600Z) ("Gorbachev's Speech at the Central Committee Plenum 0f 23 April: International Affairs") [summary/analysis: "No new perspectives... confirms my view that Gorbachev's number one priority is the state of the economy"] [released Dec 2017]
85 Apr 24 We Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 566 to FCO (1415Z) ("The Central Committee Plenum 0f 23 April: Leadership Changes") [details/analysis] [released Dec 2017]
85 May 8 We Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 674 to FCO (1605Z) ("Fortieth Anniversary of VE Day: Gorbachev's Speech of 8 May") [summary & analysis] [released Dec 2017]
85 Jul 2 Tu Major Soviet Union: Percy Cradock minute to Charles Powell ("Soviet Leadership") [election of Gromyko as President of the USSR, of Shevardnadze as Foreign Minister, and the disappearance of Romanov] [released Dec 2017]
85 Sep 2 Mo Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 1128 to FCO (1500Z) ("Gorbachev's Interview with Time Magazine: Comment") [summary & analysis] [released Dec 2017]
85 Sep 25 We Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 1267 to FCO (0750Z) ("Resignation of Tikhonov") [details & analysis; Ryzhkov succeeds] [released Dec 2017]
85 Nov 8 Fr Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 1473 to FCO (1015Z) ("October Revolution Anniversary - Speech by Chebrikov") [main points on internal affairs] [released Dec 2017]
85 Nov 8 Fr Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 1474 to FCO (1015Z) ("Chebrikov's Speech - Summary of Main Points on Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy") [released Dec 2017]
85 Nov 28 Th Major Soviet Union: Howe PS letter to No.10 ("CPSU New Party Programme") ["should succeed in sending you to sleep!" - Charles Powell; text & FCO minute attached, analyzing contrast between latest edition & previous edition published in 1961] [released Dec 2017]
87 Feb 28 Sa Major Soviet Union: UKE Moscow telegram 286 to FCO (2240Z) ("Gorbachev's Statement") [elimination of nuclear weapons: the missed opportunity of the Reykyavik summit; criticism of US policy; proposal to focus on elimination of medium-range missiles] [released Dec 2017]
87 Aug 5 We Major Soviet Union: Charles Powell minute to MT ("Interview with Life Magazine: Gorbachev") ["I attach copies of Gorbachev's main speeches on which you wanted to refresh your memory before your interview with Life Magazine"] [released Dec 2017]