EIGHTIES (1980 - 1983). Summer 1983
"Andropov's landing troops"
The notorious "Andropov's landing troops" were sent to Uzbekistan. Simultaneously, his opponents in the republic launched an "epistolary attack" – thousands of letters flew to Moscow, describing the problematic state of affairs in Uzbekistan in almost all spheres of its life. Soon after, Sharaf Rashidovich himself was summoned to Moscow.
"NO, COMRADES, WE SHOULD NOT ONLY TALK ABOUT COMMUNISM. WE MUST LOVE PEOPLE, OUR CONTEMPORARIES, AND FELLOW CITIZENS, AND FIGHT HAND IN HAND WITH THEM, FOR THEIR SAKE, FOR THEIR HAPPINESS, FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE, AND REMEMBER THAT THE STATE IS NOT AN ABSTRACT CONCEPT, AND WE ARE WITH YOU!"
– these lines from Sharaf Rashidov's novel The Mighty Wave express his attitude to the cause he pursued as head of the republic for almost 25 years. He did not plan to resign. Sharaf Rashidov continued to do what he should, not sparing himself and not deviating from the plan.
In June 1983, Sharaf Rashidov, immediately after the report by General Secretary Yuri Andropov, spoke at the Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU, where he supported the proposal for a new political line in the party, including the fight against corruption.
On 4 July 1983, he convened a Plenum of the Central Committee of Uzbekistan, where he made a speech supporting the new course of the party to strengthen ideological work.
On 5 July, Sharaf Rashidovich attended the 7th session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of the 10th convocation, where many words were said in the approval of the adopted course.
On 7 July, he spoke at the Republican meeting on the protection of public order with an appeal to strengthen the fight against crime, especially against corrupt officials.
On the same day, 7 July, Sharaf Rashidov met the leader of Afghanistan, Babrak Karmal, in Tashkent and discussed with him the rounds of negotiations between the Soviet government and the UN that were going on since April 1983.
On 18 July, Sharaf Rashidov organised a meeting of the Bureau of the Central Committee of Uzbekistan. The main issue on the agenda was the implementation of the state plan for the economic and social development of the republic. Then the Uzbek people regarded cotton fields as a battlefield. Every year, Uzbekistan had to break records to fulfil the plan.
On 5 September, Sharaf Rashidov spoke at the 4th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Council for the International Progressive Development of Communications. He delivered much statistical data testifying to the rapid progress of Uzbekistan's economy and social sphere after the 1917 Socialist Revolution.
On 9-10 September, the 2,000th anniversary of Tashkent was celebrated in the city and throughout Uzbekistan. The solemn meeting, the heartfelt speech of the head of the republic, the reading of Andropov's welcome telegram, the presentation of the Order of Lenin to the city – these were the last happy days of Sharaf Rashidov.
On 4 July 1983, he convened a Plenum of the Central Committee of Uzbekistan, where he made a speech supporting the new course of the party to strengthen ideological work.
On 5 July, Sharaf Rashidovich attended the 7th session of the Supreme Council of the Republic of the 10th convocation, where many words were said in the approval of the adopted course.
On 7 July, he spoke at the Republican meeting on the protection of public order with an appeal to strengthen the fight against crime, especially against corrupt officials.
On the same day, 7 July, Sharaf Rashidov met the leader of Afghanistan, Babrak Karmal, in Tashkent and discussed with him the rounds of negotiations between the Soviet government and the UN that were going on since April 1983.
On 18 July, Sharaf Rashidov organised a meeting of the Bureau of the Central Committee of Uzbekistan. The main issue on the agenda was the implementation of the state plan for the economic and social development of the republic. Then the Uzbek people regarded cotton fields as a battlefield. Every year, Uzbekistan had to break records to fulfil the plan.
On 5 September, Sharaf Rashidov spoke at the 4th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Council for the International Progressive Development of Communications. He delivered much statistical data testifying to the rapid progress of Uzbekistan's economy and social sphere after the 1917 Socialist Revolution.
On 9-10 September, the 2,000th anniversary of Tashkent was celebrated in the city and throughout Uzbekistan. The solemn meeting, the heartfelt speech of the head of the republic, the reading of Andropov's welcome telegram, the presentation of the Order of Lenin to the city – these were the last happy days of Sharaf Rashidov.
