2nd Russian Revolution

I was in Moscow during the Soviet Union’s second darkest hour (the first one was in 1917) when the gang of eight attempted to steal emerging freedom. To say that I am elated that the coup was unsuccessful is an understatement.

After reading your editorial of Aug. 22, I was bemused by the report that “. . . the Western allies promptly made clear their wishes to see Gorbachev restored to office. . . .” At no time did I hear anyone in Moscow mention Gorbachev’s name. Boris Yeltsin was the man they wanted. Also, in my six months of travel, very few people referred to themselves as “Soviets.” Russian citizens insisted on being referred to as “Russians”; Ukrainians were visibly shaken when I referred to them as “Soviets,” etc. Our press should be more sensitive to this label.

I feel very moved by the positive actions of the Russian, Armenian, Baltic and Ukrainian people in their quest for independence.

ALLISON PARKS, Long Beach