The USSR don’t believe in tears. Things move fast. Yet Gorbachov’s chances depend on a few essential durable facts : the refusal to engage in a civil war, the majority’s agreement on progressively establishing a « market », seeking national autonomies within a democratic framework, maintaining a central position for the Soviet Union in the former socialist block economy, de militarisation. Still the communist party remains the main source of qualified skills available, the privileged instrument, so far, for implementing reforms.Les événements vont vite. Les chances de Gorbatchev tiennent néanmoins à quelques raisons essentielles et durables : le refus de la guerre civile, l’accord majoritaire pour l’établissement progressif du «marché», la...