God save Soviets
Sir: Stephen Handelman's article (`The breaking of the icons', 4 March) alleges that a new personality cult is emerging from the innermost recess of the Russian soul.
To avoid using strong words, I would rather abstain from evaluating Mr Handel- man's assertion that 'most politically soph- isticated Russians are aware that only a powerful vozhd' can make perestroika suc- ceed. None of my politically sophisticated friends would consider talking about the necessity of a vozhd, bearing in mind the Soviet Union's distant — and not so distant — history. We are fed up with vozhds, and recognise the need for a law-based socialist society with a normal political process that allows every person to have their say.
God save us from the perpetuators and supporters of the vozhd idea at home. God
save us from the 'well-wishers' from abroad, who in their patronising fervour try to impose the idea on us as the only 'salvation for the USSR'. As we under- stand it, the point is to further democratise Soviet society. In Gorbachev's case, this must mean his further Gorbachevisation.
I must admit that time and again, at various levels of Soviet society, there are attempts to tread this familiar path. Gor- bachev is bitterly opposed to any schemes that would perpetuate Brezhnevisation, realising that his strength and authority as a political leader lies in greater democracy and strict observance of the law. I am confident that he would be the first to say: 'No cult please, we're Soviets.'
Victor Orlik
Editor,
Soviet Weekly,
3 Rosary Gardens, London SW7
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