YAKOVLEV Alexander

(p. 1923)
Born December 2, 1923 in Korolev near Yaroslavl. Marginal land, poor family. During the Second World War, fought on the Volkhov front, was seriously wounded. In 1946 he graduated from the Yaroslavl Pedagogical Institute. He worked at the Yaroslavl Regional Party Committee from 1953 to 1956 - in the apparatus of the CPSU Central Committee. In 1958-1959 trained at Columbia University (USA). Then again, the work of the CPSU Central Committee - an instructor and head of sector in 1965 - first deputy head of the propaganda department, from 1969 to 1973 for four years served as (acting) head of this department.
In 1960 he defended his thesis, and in 1967 - a doctoral dissertation. Both are devoted to historiography of U.S. foreign policy doctrines. In 1969, Yakovlev was given the title of professor.

In November 1972, published in 'Literary Gazette' article 'against anti-historical', containing criticism of chauvinism and local nationalism and anti-Semitism. In 1973, after discussions with the Secretariat and the Politburo, Yakovlev was suspended from work in the party apparatus and sent as ambassador to Canada, where he stayed for 10 years.

In 1983, Secretary of the CPSU, Gorbachev visited Canada, renewed acquaintance with Yakovlev, and then insisted on his return to Moscow. From 1983 to 1985, Yakovlev was director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, USSR Academy of Sciences. In 1984 he was elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The summer of 1985 became the head of the propaganda department of the CPSU Central Committee. In 1986 became a member of the CPSU Central Committee, Central Committee secretary in charge of handling the issues of ideology, information and culture, at the June (1987) plenum - a member of the Politburo.

At the II Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR in December 1989 Yakovlev made a report on the implications of signing the 1939 Treaty on the Non-Aggression between the USSR and Germany - 'Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact' - and the secret protocols. From March 1990 to January 1991 Yakovlev was a member of the Presidential Council of the USSR. The next day after his appointment to the post applied for resignation from the Politburo and the resignation of the Secretary of the Central.

Since 1984 - Corresponding member since 1990 - Member of the Academy of Sciences.

After the dissolution of the Presidential Council was appointed adviser to the President for Special Affairs of the USSR. Resigned from his post July 29, 1991. April 18, 1991 sent a letter to Gorbachev, which warned of the possibility of a coup. 15 August 1991 the CPSU Central Control Commission recommended to exclude Yakovlev from CPSU for the statements and actions aimed at splitting the CPSU. August 16 Yakovlev had announced his retirement from the Communist Party.

At the end of September 1991 was appointed a member of the Political Consultative Council under the President of the USSR. In late December, was present at the meeting between Gorbachev and Yeltsin, when power was formally transferred from the President of the USSR President of Russia. After the liquidation of the Soviet Union from January 1992 served as vice-president of Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies ( 'Gorbachev Foundation').

In late 1992, Yakovlev was appointed chairman of the Commission under the President of Russia for rehabilitation of victims of political repression. During the work of the Commission of the Politburo of the Central Committee and the Commission under the President of Russia has been rehabilitated more than four million citizens - victims of the Leninist and Stalinist repression. At the same time during the 1993-1995 Yakovlev, head of the Federal Service for Television and Radio and the State Television and Radio Company 'Ostankino'.

For Yakovlev entrenched titles 'architect of perestroika' and 'father of glasnost'. Since the beginning of perestroika Yakovlev was the main target of political attacks by the communist fundamentalism, chauvinistic and anti-Semitic groups.

Yakovlev continued active public activity. He is currently Chairman of the Board of the Presidential Council for the rehabilitation of victims of political repression, . President of the Public Council of the newspaper 'Culture', . honorary chairman of the Board of Directors Rossiyskogo Public Television (ORT) and co-chair of the Congress intelligentsia of Russia,
. The head of the International Fund for 'Democracy' (Foundation Alexander H. Yakovlev).

Yakovlev published over 25 books. Since the beginning of the restructuring they were published such books as' Realism - the land of adjustment ',' torment of being read ',' Preface. Subsidence. Afterword ',' bitter cup ',' By the relics, and the oil ',' Comprehension ',' Krestosev 'memoirs' Whirlpool memory', as well as dozens of articles. Edited Yakovlev goes multi-volume edition of 'Russia. XX Century. Documents'.

Academician of the Russia Academy of Sciences. Member of the Moscow Writers' Union. He has an Honorary Doctorate from Durham and Ekzeterskogo Universities (UK), Soka University (Japan) and was awarded the Silver Medal of Charles University.