WITH FRIENDS LIKE THIS, ZYUGANOV DOESN’T NEED ENEMIES.

General Valentin Varennikov told a press conference in Moscow April 3 not to be afraid of the Communists since allegations that they would carry out mass executions were "all nonsense." (NTV, April 3) The general repeated his claim, which earlier caused some embarrassment to Communist party leader Gennady Zyuganov, that the Russian Communist party has both a minimum and a maximum program, but said today’s Communists have learned from history that gradual evolution is the best way to realize their dream of social justice. He said the road to communism lies through a return to the "developed socialism" once hailed as the major achievement of the Brezhnev leadership. This will require, Varennikov said, "restoring the soviets, abolishing private property, and making the results of labor all the people’s property."

Duma to Debate Bill Outlawing Free Sale of Agricultural Land.