OCR Text |
Show Page E6 THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, A research inBERLIN (AF) stitute asked 500 western German business and political leaders a deceptively simple question: What's the biggest problem in eastern Germany? Some said privatizing state companies and figuring out who owns all the property. Others cited the polluted environment and crumbling infrastructure. Hut by far the largest group, 46 percent, chos: something amorthe "mentality" of eastphous ern Germans and their difficulty in grasping the post-commun- thinking. The poll, conducted by the highly regarded Allensbach Institute in November, reflects a strong perception in the West about eastern Europe and its people. Many Westerners believe communism so fundamentally altered the way people think that the emerging democracies are endangered". Even some eastern Europe- ans agree. "While Marxist-Lenini- ideol- st ogy may die out, 70 years of that mentality is still alive," said Vladimir Rubanov, chief of analysis for the former Soviet spy agency, the KGB. Such behavior operates at every level, he said. Even after the coup in August killed the Soviet Communist Party and ended the Soviet Union, citizens kept calling up the KGB to inform on their neighbors. "People were brought up to inform on people," Rubanov said. "We had to denounce it because it still happens. People volunteer." Such examples are legion. In eastern Germany, thousands of farm workers cling to inefficient, Soviet-styl- e collectives rather than strike out on their own as private farmers. Last autumn, Russian farmers left tons of produce in the fields because they lacked the incentive to go back and pick up what their machines missed. In Grozny, Russia, last summer, a body was found floating in a river that separated two police precincts. For days, officers on each side kept shoving the corpse back and forth so the other precinct would have to do the paperwork. On a more ominous scale, some elected leaders of the emerging democracies have exhibited authoritarian traits learned as communist functionaries. President Boris Yeltsin of Rus Sunday, February 16, 1992 sia, despite good intentions, often issues decrees that skirt the legislative process. In true authoritarian style, he recently fired the head of a plant in Bryansk when consumers complained about high prices. Most leaders of the feuding Yugoslav republics were communists who, seemingly overnight, became nationalists professing democracy. The West should not be surprised by such behavior, said Heinrich Vogel, director of the Federal Institute for Eastern Policy and International Studies in Cologne, Germany. "You don't have to go much farther than east Germany," he said. "They wait for instructions, wait for protection, wait to be taken care of. At the same time, they are contemptuous of democracy because it is developing slowly." Many in the region disagree with what they consider a Western oversimplification. meat-processi- country is faced with the fundamental question of communism or democracy," he said. There is widespread hostility in Hungary toward a coalition gov Zhelyu Zhelev, was forced into an election runoff by a candidate backed by the renamed Communist Party. "We must not forget that the ernment paralyzed by incessant squabbling. In December, a parliamentary district failed for the fifth time to lure enough voters to elect a new deputy," drawing only 10.9 percent of 45,000 elgible voters. Poland recently slowed its ambi- tious privatization program to fo-cus instead on propping up state- run industries. PRESIDENTS DAY SALE "Communist behavior" is a false concept that ignores the cul- tural and historical differences throughout eastern Europe, said Adam Bromke, a political scientist at the Polish Academy of Sciences. Bromke said Westerners find it too easy to criticize the pace of what are monumental tasks: creating a multiparty system and economy from scratch. "To transform a political and economic system at the same time is totally unprecedented," he said. free-mark- et ..w-- , jv.v,-- ill itim, ""mm win tti'iimimrommnn 24.99 Save 50 These are growing The level of dismay is great. A Gallup Poll commissioned by the European Community found that 54 percent of the 10,000 people surveyed in 10 formerly communist countries were dissappointed in democracy. A U.N. report in December warned that "much of the intitial enthusiasm and support for radical reforms has waned over the past year ... pushed aside by disappointment, frustration and populist tendencies." Evidence of apathy, and a measure of fondness for the old days, is widespread. Bulgaria's president, - m, "There is disappointment, there is even desperation. It's perfectly natural. pains." VP JZ "How can you compare Denmark and Portugal, Greece and Holland?" he said. Reg. And More On Dress Pumps By Connie Choose from four of Connie's most popular styles for work and dress: Janice, Surprise and Scandal, all in ZCMI also available varies in Place, Fashion Shoes. Selection 57 at off 50 a variety of colors, now to by store; Foothill and East Bav. 52-$5- Wave-To-M- 8 : e, c jvc i elsewhere in I tah and in the U.S., Shop all stores Monday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; order by phone: In Salt Lake. and Discover We gladly American MSA1, F.xpressf, Diners Club', Carte Blanche', accept your ZCMI Option Charge, MasterCard', 579-666- 3 PRESIDENTS cards. SAL IE U3AY IPWWWWIIIWIW8! LimdM w4zS Jrv 1 imw l4 Vf? I . rS .im ...v.. ,.. ... Save 30 ft, X 9.80-16.8- I'hillippc leather handbags A. Ki'g. S6()(h()osc from a wide selection of a I " ( 1 On Unique Accessory Ideas 39.99 and shoulder styles with Handbags; also at ZCMI '4AH'f, double-handl- e variety of features. Fashion Place, Foothill and East Bay. 0 8.40-26.6- 0 Entire selection of button covers Belts by famous makers Almost every style imaginable-fro- m novelty to of look favorite classic-- to the blouses and shirts, your change dresses. Fashion Accessories C. Reg. B. Reg. S 14-S2- 4 Career and casual styles from popular names for Fashion accessories pants, skirts and dresses. 12-3- 8 T" m ! |