 |
[laterpay_premium_download target_post_id=”49016″ heading_text=”Download For $1.99:” description_text=”February 3, 1990 – CBS World News Roundup – Gordon Skene Sound Collection” content_type=”link”] |
We could really use some support, if you haven’t already: Become a Patron!
February 3, 1990 – Eyes on Moscow as a controversial call for major political change in the Soviet Union was taking shape. An anticipation of sparks flying at the Central Committee during the coming week as the elite of the Communist party take up the question of whether they should give up their monopoly on power. The agenda would include, not only calling for a major overhaul of the structure party itself, but a plan to cut it loose from assuming government power as the only party. In short; a multi-party system could be possible. To hardliners, this was heresy. But to Gorbachev and his reformers, this was the breath of fresh air the country desperately needed. Vigorous and heated debate was guaranteed, along with eye-popping political maneuvering.
Meanwhile in Bulgaria, the new Premier was being described as a moderate reformer. Andrei Luganov was elected by the Bulgarian Parliament earlier this day. He promised to quickly implement political changes.
And leaders of the African National Congress were reported to have said that, even though the organization was now legal in South Africa, they would maintain their exile headquarters in Zambia and would not end their military campaign. The day after South African President F.W. DeKlerk unbanned the ANC and announced the release of political prisoners, South Africans of all colors were sitting back and assessing where they went from here. Although DeKlerk had been expected to make a major announcement; his unbanning of the ANC, the South African Communist Party and three dozen other opposition organizations caught everyone, including veteran anti-apartheid campaigners by surprise. On this day everyone; Black and White – the ANC and DeKlerk’s own ruling National party had to figure out how South Africa’s new political dispensation would be translated into a working reality. The suspicions of decades of conflict and the national party’s remaining Apartheid policies might not be easy to overcome. Meanwhile, the ANC had to figure out how it would re-enter the political arena while it waited for the apparently imminent release of Nelson Mandela who, despite 28 years of prison is seen by many as the man to lead South Africa to true democracy.
All that, and a lot more for this February 3, 1990 as reported by The CBS World News Roundup.
