Grapevine: Jun. 18, 1990

A SHILLELAGH FOR HER THOUGHTS. Margaret Thatcher, an early and ardent supporter of Gorbachev's, continued to lead cheers during her visit to the Kremlin last week, and even urged top military leaders there to back Gorbachev to the hilt. But behind her public exhortations lie deep doubts about his chances. She sees the emergence of Boris Yeltsin as a particular reason for pessimism; she regards him as an unguided missile, and has privately characterized him in a phrase that could raise hackles both in the U.S.S.R. and closer to home. "He is like an Irishman," she says.

...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!