Chapter 12 Approval of External Financing
Seryozha and Yeltsin secretly reached a consensus on the matter of financing, because the matter was of great importance, and because of Ligachev's firm refusal attitude, Seryozha and Yeltsin decided to go to Gorbachev to discuss Let's talk about financing overseas.
Since this matter was proposed by Yeltsin on his own initiative, it was natural for Yeltsin to discuss the matter with Gorbachev. Yeltsin took the initiative to contact the staff in Gorbachev's office. After an appointment, he and Sergey prepared a lot of materials to prove how amateur Ligachev was, and he and Sergey And how reasonable Seryozha was.
Most of the report produced by Seriosha and Yeltsin was written by Gaidar, the chief economist of the Foreign Trade Bank of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation. It was Seryozha's decision to let Gaidar do this, because Seryozha knew that Gorbachev was a follower of Milton Friedman, a master of the Chicago school of economics. Asking Gaidar, who also has a lot of experience in the study of the Chicago School's economic viewpoints, to write the report is simply what he likes.
Gaidar deserves to be a genius who can join the expert group of the National Economic Reform Commission at the age of 29. He wrote this report and it makes people agree. The economic proposition of the Chicago School lies in the advocacy of the free market economy. If it is related to the current environment of the Soviet Union, the proposition of Seryosha and Yeltsin to introduce foreign capital to participate in the construction of the workers' new city is naturally a reform that meets the requirements of the free market economy. Behavior.
Yeltsin and Sergei were picked up by a special car sent by the Kremlin on the scheduled day and arrived at Gorbachev's new office on time. From the window here, you can see the beautiful Moskva River and the spectacular sight of the New Workers' City in the distance. When Gorbachev saw the two, he was as easy-going as ever. He pulled Seryozha and Gorbachev to tell an interesting story about his investigation in Ukraine, and then slowly got to the point. Gorbachev The interviewer asked Yeltsin on the sidelines: "Why is there such a big problem in terms of funding in the Workers' New Town?"
"General Secretary, Sergey Sha will tell you these things in person!" Yeltsin has already learned from Gorbachev, that is, he does not know who Gorbachev and Ligachev are. Whoever took the initiative, they have already discussed the problem here with Yeltsin. Yeltsin felt a lot of dissatisfaction with Ligachev in his heart at this moment. Originally, this matter was a new problem that existed objectively, but Ligachev told Gorbachev behind his back. Geoff will definitely have some doubts about his abilities. After all, Yeltsin was a newcomer here, and Gorbachev was not as good at speaking as Seryozha, and it would be better for Seryozha to explain to Gorbachev well.
"General Secretary, because the current situation is a bit different from what we faced at the beginning! But in the final analysis, there is a problem with our market supply. Although ordinary people have money, they cannot buy suitable goods in state-run stores. Such a large item requires index supply, and housing is not allowed to be bought or sold.
Therefore, ordinary people are not very enthusiastic about money. They hope to exchange money for usable items, so the interest on bonds will naturally look down on them! "Seryozha did not lead the topic to the issue of smuggling or the black market, although this is already an inseparable place for ordinary people in the Soviet Union. However, the rampant black market shows that the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation is not doing enough to crack down on smuggling, because Serezha The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation in China is in charge of the customs and anti-smuggling forces. Sergesha does not want his department to be criticized and accused by the general secretary.
"It seems that the problem is caused by our economic system! The country really has to reform!" Gorbachev said with emotion.
"General Secretary, it is precisely because the objective situation has changed that we want to solve our problems through other channels! Sergey told me that we can borrow money from foreign financial institutions, but we just don't know the central government's response to this matter. What do you think?" Yeltsin handed the report to Gorbachev with both hands,
Then he watched Gorbachev's reaction nervously.
Gorbachev motioned Seryosha and Yeltsin to take a rest on the sofa, then he opened the report handed in by Yeltsin and slowly flipped through it. Minutes and seconds passed, and Seryosha and Yeltsin didn't say a word. One of them leaned on the sofa, and the other leaned forward, quietly waiting for Gorbachev's instructions.
"First of all, I want to say that your ideas are very bold and imaginative. It is indeed a good move to introduce foreign funds to support the construction of a new city for workers. But this has never been precedent in our country! I am afraid It will cause widespread opposition among comrades!" Gorbachev said helplessly.
"General Secretary, Comrade Hamer once set up a pencil factory in our country during Lenin's time. During Stalin's time, Ford assisted in the construction of our Gorky Automobile Factory. During Khrushchev's time, Fiat assisted in the construction of the Volga Automobile Factory. These They are all similar to our current workers' new city plan! It doesn't make sense that things that made sense in the past will be criticized and disputed when we vigorously promote construction!" Seryozha retorted unconvinced.
"Look, these words of yours have left me speechless! Forget it, let me make an exception for you. I approve of your plan to introduce foreign funds to your workers' new city, which can be used as a pilot for our economic reform. Project!" Gorbachev said in a teasing tone, but in fact he didn't take the objections of some comrades in the party at all, because now that the power is in hand, many things that were difficult to handle in the past are now just a matter of one word.
"However, your report is good! The description of the domestic economic problems is in line with the actual situation, and the views put forward are very inspiring.
Seryozha, this report is from your handwriting! I think it can be changed and posted on the newspaper for more comrades to take a look! ’ suggested Gorbachev.
"General Secretary, I did not write this article! It was written by Yegor Gaidar, a newcomer from our Foreign Trade Bank!" Sergey Sha explained to the General Secretary.
"Oh! I didn't expect this? Your Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation is really full of talents! This Gaidar is indeed a talent, so how about it! You go back and let Comrade Gaidar analyze and summarize the domestic economic situation in the report, Let’s sort out some of the following content and give it to the comrades of Izvestia! I want all comrades in the party to read it carefully!” Gorbachev instructed.
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