Komsomol Kids May Pack It In
The Communist Youth League will meet Sept. 27 to consider disbanding itself, the Tass news agency reported Wednesday.
For decades the league, known as Komsomol, has been the Communist Party’s main organ for recruiting and training young people. Its demise would be one of the clearest signals yet that communism has no future in the Soviet Union.
Founded in 1918, Komsomol represents young people ages 14 to 28. Enrollment is voluntary, but membership traditionally led to full party membership and helped advance careers.
As details of the Communist Party’s role in supporting the Aug. 18-21 coup have become public, Komsomol leaders have said they would transform it into a multi-party organization providing social services for youth. But critics said Komsomol would have difficulty shedding its Communist image.
Two years ago, Komsomol gave up its monopoly as the country’s only official youth group. Last year, it broke its links with the Communist Party.
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