183. Current Intelligence Weekly Review0
Khrushchev and the Soviet Leadership
Khrushchev, who was 68 years old this week, appears to be in generally fair health, but there are signs that advancing age and the rigors of high office have begun to slow him down. During each of the past three winters, for example, his heavy schedule has left him visibly fatigued and susceptible to respiratory infections. At least one bout with influenza followed by a long recuperative vacation on the Black Sea has become an annual event. He was ill with flu in early January of this year, and evidently had another attack in April which necessitated a postponement of the opening Supreme Soviet session from 10 to 23 April.
Khrushchev has a history of other medical problems which are at least a potential source of concern. He is dangerously heavy, for instance: only five feet, five inches tall, he weighs about 220 pounds and measures 49 inches around the waist. For some years he has had kidney trouble, and there are numerous reports that he suffers from high blood pressure and a liver ailment. He does not appear to be particularly respectful of professional medical advice.
The other leaders carry on quietly during Khrushchevʼs extended absences from Moscow, and as yet there has not been any noticeable increase in political maneuvering within the party presidium in preparation for a succession crisis. Khrushchev himself gives every indication of being in full command; speculation that he is still involved in a fight to maintain his position seems to be unfounded. However, there probably continue to be disagreements within the hierarchy over such questions as the proportion of economic resources that should be devoted to consumer goods and the pace and extent of liberalization in the wake of renewed attacks against Stalin.
When Khrushchev is away from the capital, party secretary Kozlov and Deputy Premier Kosygin seem to have the primary “caretaker” responsibilities for party and government affairs, respectively. Kozlov, however, does not receive the preferential treatment that might be expected for someone who has been designated first lieutenant and eventual successor.
It is still unclear how some of the responsibilities at the top are being divided since the personnel shifts at the party congress in October. This is [Page 408] particularly true in the ideological and propaganda fields, with Suslov, Kuusinen, Ilichev, and Ponomarev now all members of the party secretariat. Friction and jockeying in this area seem likely.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency: Job 79-S01060A. Secret. Prepared by CIAʼs Office of Current Intelligence. The source text comprises p. 20 of the Weekly Review section of the issue.↩