ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS

sumer society which is in store for us. too, if we

don't change. We hbe- gan restructuring just in time.” “When

talking to Americans. I was surprised that they didn’t know their great writers Kurt Vonnegut. Stephen King, and Nor- man Mailer. whom I read here. They seem to be interested only in comics and Hollywood movies.”

YCL city committee adopts new style of work

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errr ee ——— March 17th 1988

We were received by Stanislav Smirnov. First Secretart of the Moscow Young comununist League City Committee. (The Moscow YCL orga- nization has 1.2 million members).

‘I would divide youth asso- ciations into those which we willingly contact and those which we reject on principle. For example. we cannot accept hippies with their leanings to- ward relition and social isolation. Metallists and other rock-music lovers are a different thing. We organized a_ rock labo- ratory at the YCL City Committee and held a rock festival.

Lately the peace was often being disturbed in Moscow by motorcyelists riding the streets at night. Many of them did not have a driver's licence and consciously violated the rules. We made night raids together with the militia. got acquainted with motorcyclists. and are setting up motorcy- cling clubs.”

“I’m sure that none of the punks or other groups is against the so- cialist princi- ples.” Stanislav Smirnov said. “They most often protest against obsolete formal] structures. Today peo- ple’s initiative foreruns structural changes in so- ciety. A pap between

them causes public dis- |

content. young people are against bureaucrasy in the YCL. We were slow to understand that we should base our work on young people's inter- ests. These interests change quickly and we weren't flexible enough. now we are restructuring our system.”

The YCL does not

just look after young people’s free time. “we want to set up sections, factory depart- mént and clin- ics staffed entirely. from office-cleaners to the di- rec-

tor. by

shops. stores

young said.

people” Stanislav Mis month we are opining such department stores

“Who taught them that happiness is being married to a brainless doll, making good money and having a car and carpets? There must be a different goal in life.” >

in each Moscow district. We want. them: to work in an unconventional way. We've opened the first school staffed by young graduates of pedagogi- eal institutes. Though they lack work experi- ence. they are more will- ing to establish infor- mal communication with their pupils and have a better understanding of

child and teenage psy- chology. Many youth problems are caused. by

a lack of and trust adults.”

Young biologists higher education

In a Moscow. Uni- versity garden we met Alexander Rubtxov..a 32-year-old assistant at the Biological Faculty Chair of Biochemistry. He is married with two children.

“Th my opinion. there are no special youth problems.”

understanding on the part of

on

he said. “There are so- cial problems which con- cern all generations, but some young people have an accentric reaction to them, such as becoming a hippie. Im indifferent to unofficial associations Tin past that age.”

Since restructuring is mostly young people's concern, it’s important that they be not only so- cially active citizens. but real professionals. Ac- cording to the young scientist, at higher ed- ucational establishments the emphasis should ‘be on practical rather than theoretical education. In this respect. there is room for improvement at the biological faculty. too.

| served in Afghanistan

Transport worker Viktor Morozov whom we met on Ostozhenka

street in Old Moscow be- lieves drug addiction to be the Number 1 youth problem. “Young people

take drugs because they have nowhere to po in their spare time. They try it out of curiosity and the weaker ones get ad- dicted.” “Did you try drugs yourself?” ‘Yes. I did, in Afghanistan.” Twenty-four-

year-old Viktor is single. “I’ve no time for girls.” he said. Since serving in Afghanistan. he has been studying part-time

at the Institute of Na- tional Economy for two years.

He recalled the most searry episode in his life. It happened in Afghanistan. A radio- controlled antitank ar-

tillery shell smashed a tank ahead of him. He got off with a slight con- cussion, but he clearly imagined himself in that tank.

His greatest desire is to live his life in peace. “Those who have been to war. know this feeling well.”

Pare 1S