It Could Become the U.S.S.S.
Along with a new market-style economy and federal political structure, President Mikhail S. Gorbachev wants to give the Soviet Union a new name as well.
On Tuesday, Rafik N. Nishanov, chairman of the Council of Nationalities of the Soviet legislature, said Gorbachev has suggested the “Union of Sovereign Socialist States,” which would stress a continuing commitment to socialism and the greater powers being given local authorities.
At the Parliament, lawmakers from Kazakhstan suggested “Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics,” while progressive and radical deputies proposed a name steering clear of ideology--”the Union of Euro-Asian Republics.”
The current name, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, has been in use since Dec. 30, 1922, when the union was formed by the fusion of the Ukraine, Byelorussia and the Transcaucasus with the previously existing Russian Federation.
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