Soviet Union Life in a Weary Land

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During his visit to Yerevan, Gorbachev expressed puzzlement over such ingratitude and lashed out at rumor-mongering extremists, labeling them "profiteers sponging on the working class" who were "holding the people in their hands by intimidation." At least eleven Armenian nationalists, including seven members of the Karabakh committee, were rounded up by police and sentenced to 30 days in jail for disturbing the peace. Four other committee members went into hiding to escape the crackdown. In a shrill propaganda campaign, police officials have accused the nationalists of stirring up unrest and forcibly evicting people from their homes. Government patrols reported that while sifting through the rubble in Spitak they found a secret cache of automatic rifles and handguns.

Sensitive to criticism that the high death toll was due to shoddy building methods, Soviet officials pledged last week that new housing would be constructed of traditional Armenian stone and would be no higher than five stories. All building plans would be submitted for public debate "in an atmosphere of glasnost." But the promises may sound hollow to those living in tent villages, who stubbornly nurse ethnic grievances. "Just wait and see," vowed a young Armenian engineer. "Things will be quiet for a few months. But the movement will be back, bigger and stronger than ever."