Alexander Bessmertnykh (politician)

Alexander Alexandrovich Bessmertnykh (Алекса́ндр Алекса́ндрович Бессме́ртных; born 10 November 1933) is a Soviet diplomat who briefly served as foreign minister of the Soviet Union.

Early life
Bessmertnykh was born in Biysk in 1933, first of four children. He lost his father when he was 10 years old.

Career
Bessmertnykh joined the ministry of foreign affairs in 1957. From 1970 to 1983 he served as a consul at the Soviet embassy in the United States, and then headed the US department in the foreign ministry. In 1986, he was appointed deputy foreign minister and in 1988, he became first deputy foreign minister. From 1990 to 1991 he was ambassador to the United States.

Soviet Foreign Minister
He briefly served as a Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR in 1991, replacing Eduard Shevardnadze, being approved by the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union 15 January, 421 voted in favour, 3 against, and 10 abstained. During the August coup of 1991 he did not lend his support to the attempt at removing Gorbachev from power, but refused to condemn the plotters. For supporting the GKChP, the government of Valentin Pavlov was dismissed and, accordingly, Bessmertnykh lost the post of Minister.