WORLD : Baker Postpones Moscow Trip Amid Rumors About Gorbachev
Secretary of State James A. Baker III has postponed his trip to Moscow next week by one day because of an important meeting of the Soviet Communist Party, the State Department said today.
The delay in the ministerial meeting between Baker and Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard A. Shevardnadze coincides with unconfirmed reports that Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, who is also secretary general of the Communist Party, is considering resigning the party post because of frustration with resistance he has been receiving to his domestic programs.
State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler, announcing the postponement by one day said: “This suggestion was made by the United States. It simply makes more sense to have the Soviets complete their plenum (of the Central Committee of the Communist Party) before beginning this important ministerial meeting.”
According to the new schedule, Baker and Shevardnadze will meet in Moscow on Feb. 8-9, instead of Feb. 7-8.
CNN reported today that Gorbachev is considering resigning his party position while retaining his post as president.
The report could not be independently confirmed. White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said he had “no information” on the matter.
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