| Show Are Russians ready for freedom Lori Steadman Columnist HE catapult of communism from Eastern THE T Europe has caught everyone's attention attention- including Mikhail After 70 years of totalitarian rule has led Soviet Party leaders in a historic decision dedsion to abolish the Communist monopoly on power N. N member of the Politburo and chief architect of proposals for a new government is quoted in inThe inThe inThe The New York Times as saying Society itself will decide dedde whether it wishes to adopt our practices Are they suggesting Communism by choice And are the Russian people ready for radical reforms reforms for for choices Contrast the committed crowds demonstrating in Prague Czechoslovakia the Chinese students in Square defying defying defying defy defy- ing death the bloody battle in Romania with an empty Red Square void of democracy- democracy starved Soviets during the shocking vote The explosive shout for freedom heard in all the countries forced to swallow Com Com- seems to be retarded in the country that gave birth to this working class govern govern- ment After seven decades of having only one selection on the menu can Russians resist the indoctrination long enough to realize what they have been missing Although the avalanche of democracy in Eastern Europe has helped to spread reform to Russia these changes actually began with rise to power five years ago According According According Ac Ac- cording to Bill Keller a writer for The NewYork New NewYork NewYork York Times Mr has tried for two years to wean factories and farms from directives directives directives tives of local party bosses He has discovered that many of them lost the habit of deciding things for themselves So the fight for freedom will come harder for Russians the changes will take longer the transition will be painful But the course of liberty will not stop Even though most Russians Russians Russians Rus Rus- dont don't know anything but Communism this little crack in the foundation a chance to tomake tomake tomake make a choice will create new thoughts new hopes new longings The desire for freedom will be rediscovered and as a free people we can rejoice for them |
