Mikhail Gorbachev's Visit to the Urals

This document is a transcript of TASS reports detailing Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to Sverdlovsk in late April 1990. The text covers a series of meetings between Gorbachev and labor collectives, specifically at the Uralmash association. The primary focus of the discussions is the economic situation in the Soviet Union, the challenges of perestroika, and the transition toward a market economy. Gorbachev addresses concerns regarding housing, labor productivity, the role of managers, and the potential for unemployment as the country undergoes significant structural changes. He emphasizes the need for a legal order, the importance of democratic processes, and the necessity of maintaining social stability during the reform period. Throughout the meetings, Gorbachev responds to questions from workers and enterprise directors about the future of the Soviet Union, the status of Lithuania, and his relationship with Boris Yeltsin. He also meets with representatives of the scientific community at the Urals Scientific Center to discuss the role of fundamental science in national development. The document captures the political tension and the complex socio-economic atmosphere in the USSR during this period, highlighting Gorbachev's efforts to justify his policies and maintain support among the working class and intelligentsia.