U.S. Sees Gromyko’s Role Undiminished in New Post

WASHINGTON —  U.S. officials said today that they expect Andrei A. Gromyko in his new role as Soviet president to have a continuing major role in formulating foreign policy despite his replacement as foreign minister by an obscure party chief from Soviet Georgia.

Accordingly, the officials said they do not foresee any major changes resulting from the appointment of Eduard A. Shevardnadze to the top Foreign Ministry post.

In a departure from custom, Communist Party leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev today nominated, and the Supreme Soviet approved, Gromyko for the usually ceremonial post of president rather than taking it for himself. (Story on Page 6.)

The White House had no official reaction today, but the officials, who asked not to be identified, said that, as president, Gromyko will be able to pick the foreign policy issues he wants to focus on while ignoring secondary issues.

They said Soviet-American relations probably will remain a high-priority area for Gromyko.

The officials said little is known about Shevardnadze’s foreign policy views. One source described him as a “painfully honest man” who is tough and assertive. But on foreign affairs, “he’s a neophyte.”

Unlike Gromyko, who has a good command of English, Shevardnadze knows no foreign languages, the official said.

Malcolm Toon, a former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union, agreed that Gromyko will continue to influence Soviet foreign policy.

Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show, Toon said, “I think it’s wrong . . . to say that Gromyko now has just largely a ceremonial job.

“He is still a full member of the Politburo and I think that he will be a principal adviser to Gorbachev and others on foreign policy issues and also on national security issues. I think it’s probably a reward. I don’t think he’s been kicked upstairs.

“I think the fact that Shevardnadze has been named foreign minister indicates clearly that this job will remain in the hands of a strong party man rather than a professional diplomat,” Toon said.