Gorbachev Addresses Uralmash Workers

Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.

and so on. And yet, comrades, we must act responsibly and seriously, and I will tell you the main thing clearly: We must finally prove in Russia, this huge country, that socialism can carry out profound changes in the framework of democracy and legality. Everything must be done to avoid confrontation, and civil war even more so. This group of three or four, or whoever you like. [sentence as heard] The law must reign supreme in our society. This is the main thing. There's incitement again, there is another witchhunt you see; they are looking out for the enemy; another step and there he is, the enemy of the people; let's drag him by his feet. What is this? The fate of Russia? The fate of socialism? We imagine that we must ennoble ourselves in this area, in this way? That's to say, we are marching toward democratic, humane socialism by way of lawlessness, by way of witchhunts again?

What is that? No, I believe that we in our country should do everything in a good way, in a good way. Patience and restraint are required. Therefore, I am aware of the remarks comrades have made. Many say: Mikhail Sergeyevich, give something else! Dear comrades, we are expanding the democratic process of building a state based on law, so that the people themselves, through democratic processes and sessions, through certain processes and democratic reforms within the party itself, everywhere, in the economy, so that the people solve questions. With all this bang, strike, disperse, catch, we will not be able to break this vicious circle. We must become a civilized country. Our peoples deserve better, having suffered so much and having done so much in history for the whole world, because without our socialist contribution, the world would have been different, totally different. And if perestroyka wins today, the world will be totally different. Will we lose? I think we will not lose, comrades. I think painful and less painful ways are possible here. The people cannot return to the old life, nor can their mouths be gagged. The breath of freedom that it has received, the oxygen that our society gets as a result of democratization and openness are what our people need. Man had been reduced to nothing. We could no longer continue in such a state.

Not everything works out the way one wishes it to, not everything. Faults have been committed and we are upset because of that. Do not think that we are people without feelings, so to speak, no, on the contrary, I think, we have so many feelings that sometimes this prevents us from showing decisiveness and firmness. This seems to be in evidence. But our people have suffered to much to put them through the mill again now. The task of tasks is to feel these ways and continue along them. I hope, dear Uralmash workers, that you will maintain your reputation and strong character. The country cannot live without you, nor can you live without the country. And let us part in this spirit of mutual understanding. I wish you great success. We will monitor and help the Uralmash. [applause] (endall) 261500 30/1704z apr

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