Brezhnev friend gets Seder K.G.B. lost

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 9

Brezhnev friend gets Seder K.G.B. lost

NZPA-Reuter jloscow General GeorgiiTsinev. known as an associSof the Soviet President (M.eonid Brezhnev), has talc over the senior career pojn the K.G.B. security poll according to a news ret on State television. t Listing members ofGovernment and military legation at Moscow Airpt the report described teral Tsinev, who is 74, afirst deputy' chairman c the K.G.B. General Tsinev waseviously a deputy to the m he succeeds, General Styon Tsvigun, who died, age-4 in January. 1 The head of the K.t. is Yuri Andropov, aged ", a member of tie Commist Party Politbun. but hisost is a purely political one,nd

the most senior 'serving officer in the K.G.8... is the first deputy chairman. • Few details have been made public about General Tsinev’s past, but it Is known that he has long been a close associate' of " ’ tfie ■. Soviet leader. ' ' ? His nomination to, the post appeared to rule diit rumours, given broad publicity in the West, which suggested that after General Tsvigun’s death a power struggle had begun in' which the K.G.B. was pitted against President Brezhnev. The aiport ceremony w?s the first time General Tsinev had been referred to under the new title. No formal announcement has been made of his appointment, but this is seldom done in matters involving the K.G.B. leadership.

Tog^ - with members of the' fy and military leaden he was present to bid faeli to the Defence Minis; (Marshal. Dmitry Ustinc who left Moscowfor- a j-day visit to India. Gefl TSinev effectively takeser day-to-day runhipglie K.G.B, in his new post I Will be responsible for /ting any signs of polls dissent. predecessor. General Tsv| was known as a ngi'grdliner who opposed aliestern, influence and d'n party journaptackmg young people wh followed Western fas! or music. st October General Tsvigfaid in one article that tfK.G.B. had effectively sjessed all organised oppion from dissident £>s in the Soviet Union.