NAMES IN THE NEWS : Rare Coverage for Raisa Gorbachev

The Soviet media gave Raisa Gorbachev some rare coverage today, carrying a report on the Kremlin first lady’s comments on her husband’s reforms and how the world’s women have improved prospects for peace.

“If people currently are more confident of a peaceful future, we know that much of the credit goes to women actively working on all continents for friendship, cooperation and profound mutual understanding of nations,” Raisa Gorbachev said at a reception she gave Monday in honor of International Women’s Day, a Soviet holiday that will be celebrated Wednesday.

Although she is shown frequently on Soviet state-run television and has been interviewed by Western reporters, her views are rarely reported in Soviet media or heard by her fellow citizens.