Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume V, Soviet Union, March 1985–October 1986

79. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (McFarlane) to President Reagan¹

Washington, August 27, 1985

SUBJECT

• Background Reading on the Soviet Union: Internal Problems

Though Gorbachev has been more active than his predecessors in pushing the Soviet foreign policy line in the media, his preoccupation is probably with consolidating his own power and in tackling the burgeoning internal problems which afflict Soviet society and the communist system.

Attached are three papers which deal with the more important of these problems: the growing malaise in Soviet society, the significance of dissidence and religion, and the implications of having to rule an empire made up of many nationalities.²

In reading the paper on Soviet nationalities, it is important to bear in mind that non-Russian nationalities in the Soviet Union are quite different from the ethnic groups in our own society. Most live in their ancestral territory and continue to speak languages other than Russian as their first tongue. There has been very little “melting pot” effect, although many speak or understand Russian as a second language. Almost all are proud of their own national language, culture and heritage and are determined to preserve it in the face of persistent pressures to become more Russian.

I believe these papers will give you some insight into some of the problems Gorbachev will have on his mind—but will avoid mentioning—when he meets with you in November. Certainly, he must take them into account as he makes foreign policy decisions.

1. Source: Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Chronological File, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron August 1985 (6/6). Secret. Sent for information. Drafted by Matlock. A copy was sent to Bush. A stamp in the upper right-hand corner reads “The President has seen,” and Reagan wrote in the upper margin, “Thanks. RR.” See also Documents 39, 60, and 74.
2. Two of the papers, “USSR: A Society in Trouble” and “The Soviet Union’s Nationality Problem,” are attached but not printed. The third paper, “Dissent in the USSR,” was not attached, but is in the Reagan Library, Jack Matlock Files, Chronological File, 1980–1986, Matlock Chron August 1985 (5/6).