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Updated: 06-Nov-2001 1984


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1984

 
Summary

In February 1984, Soviet leader Yuri Andropov dies and is succeeded by the ailing Konstantin Chernenko. Following the death of Chernenko in March 1985, the younger and more dynamic Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power. The new leader initiates a programme - perestroika - to restructure the Soviet economy which is plagued by low productivity, enormous waste, planning mistakes and constant shortages. He permits an unprecedented level of openness in public life - glasnost. Furthermore, in order to overcome conservative opposition, he begins to democratise the political system. Realising that it will be impossible to improve an economy so heavily burdened by the defence budgets, he begins to take steps to reduce defence spending and reach arms control agreements with the West.

 

17 Jan

Opening of the Stockholm Conference on Security and Confidence Building Measures and Disarmament in Europe (CDE).

21 Mar-30 Apr

CSCE Experts Meeting on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, Athens.

31 May

NATO Foreign Ministers issue the Washington Statement on East-West Relations.

Additional information:

7-9 June

Summit meeting in London. Heads of State and Government of the seven major industrialised countries issue a declaration on East-West Relations and Arms Control.

12 June

Foreign Ministers of the seven countries of the Western European Union meeting in Paris decide to reactivate the WEU.

25 June

Lord Carrington (the United Kingdom) succeeds Joseph Luns as Secretary General of NATO.

Additional information:

16-26 Oct

CSCE Seminar on Economic, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation in the Mediterranean, Venice.

26-27 Oct

Foreign and Defence Ministers of the member countries of the Western European Union publish the Rome Declaration announcing their decision to increase cooperation within the WEU.

7 Dec

Presentation by the Secretary General of NATO of the first Atlantic Award to Per Markussen (Denmark), for his contribution over many years to the objectives of the Atlantic Alliance.