Soviet ‘Anti-Army Hysteria’ Decried
A group of Soviet military leaders and politicians published an angry attack on liberal critics Thursday for inspiring “anti-army hysteria” and scornfully dismissed talk of a planned coup.
“The idea of a military coup . . . is being put around by those who want to play ‘the army card’ in the political game for power,” a letter published in the military daily Krasnaya Zvezda said.
The letter, signed by 77 people, including deputies to the Soviet and Russian parliaments and military officials, sharpened a public dispute between liberals and military top brass who have been accused of teaming up with conservatives to block army reforms.
The letter was published as a retort to liberal politicians and academics who, in the daily Komsomolskaya Pravda on July 4, called for radical measures to bring the armed forces under parliamentary control and free them from party influence.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
