ABALKIN CONDEMNS '500 DAYS' RECOVERY PROGRAM

This document is a transcript of a political discussion regarding the '500 Days' recovery program in the Soviet Union. The primary speaker, Abalkin, expresses deep skepticism toward the program, characterizing it as a political maneuver that lacks a sound foundation. He argues that the program is being rushed through without sufficient professional investigation or critical analysis, relying instead on a 'mystery effect' to convince the public of its efficacy. Abalkin draws a parallel between the public's blind faith in the '500 Days' program and other social phenomena, specifically mentioning a mass belief in aliens and extrasensory perception. He suggests that the government is attempting to sell the program as a painless solution to complex economic crises, which he views as a dangerous deception. The discussion also touches upon the structural integrity of the Soviet Union, with Abalkin emphasizing the need for a unified state, border, and monetary system, while noting that the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic Supreme Soviet has already begun adopting its own concepts and programs. The document concludes with a brief exchange regarding the practical implementation of the reforms, noting that while some preparations like the registration of commercial banks and the introduction of income tax have begun, the overall haste of the program remains a point of contention.