Gorbachev Losing Grip on Party, Yanayev Says

The Soviet vice president said today the Communist Party is regaining influence and indicated Mikhail S. Gorbachev might be replaced as its chief.

The remarks by Gennady I. Yanayev were reported the same day that soldiers and security forces began joint patrols in major Soviet cities. Some reformers and leaders in the Soviet republics view the move as a sign of an emerging dictatorship.

The vice president spoke as Gorbachev was showing a new hard line in dealing with opposition to Kremlin rule in the Baltics, the press and elsewhere. In recent weeks, many reformers have lost faith in Gorbachev as a champion of a more open, democratic Soviet Union.

Speaking at a closed-door session of the party’s Central Committee, Yanayev delivered a strong defense of the party and Gorbachev.

But he then added: “I should like to stress, however, that the party is alive not because Gorbachev is general secretary of its Central Committee. If he ceases to be general secretary, another leader will come. But the ideals and goals of the party, if cleared of the distortions that appeared in various periods of our history, will remain alive,” Tass news agency quoted Yanayev as saying.

It was the first public indication that party leaders are questioning Gorbachev’s position as general secretary. Reformers have often criticized Gorbachev’s dual role as party chief and president, and rumors have repeatedly arisen during meetings of the policy-making Central Committee that he might be ousted as party chief.

Separate reports on a meeting of the party plenum made no mention of Gorbachev, who by tradition delivers a speech to the Central Committee.

Gorbachev repeatedly has denied any plans to leave the party post, arguing that the dual role is essential to his ability to govern. He rose to power in March, 1985, as head of the party, at the time the undisputed ruling body in the country. He later took on the title of president and gradually reduced the party’s power.

If he left the post, Gorbachev still would hold the far more powerful post of president. But it would be the first time the Soviet leader has not been chief of the Communist Party.