The Strategy of Relations with European Socialist Countries

In the following memorandum to Alexander Yakovlev, one of Gorbachev's chief advisors, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) analyzes the effects of Gorbachev's reform program in Eastern Europe. The document reflects the complexity of the issues raised by the new Soviet policy. In the excerpt below, the CPSU assesses the current situation and identifies some of the key problems to address, including Western economic competition and the growing pressure on the socialist systems from disaffected citizens. The excerpt then highlights key elements of the broad strategy presented in the memorandum for redefining the Soviets' role in the region. It is noteworthy that, despite the obvious problems, the CPSU did not see the situation in February 1989 as hopeless, but rather as a "transitional period" during which the Soviet leadership must adapt to the challenges posed by the changing environment.