In the aftermath of the 1988 earthquake in the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic , Ryzhkov promised to rebuild the city of Spitak within two years . A Politburo commission was established to provide guidance for the local ASSR Government with Ryzhkov elected its chairman . The commission then travelled to the ASSR to assess damage caused by the earthquake . During Gorbachev 's subsequent visit to the ASSR , and aware of local feelings following the disaster , Ryzhkov persuaded the less sensitive Gorbachev to forgo use of his limousine in favor of public transport . When Gorbachev left the ASSR , Ryzhkov remained to coordinate the rescue operation and made several television appearances which increased his standing amongst the Soviet leadership and the people in general . With his standing thus boosted , on 19 July 1988 , at the Central Committee Plenum , Ryzhkov criticised nearly every one of Gorbachev 's policies , further complaining that as Party Secretary he should devote more time to the Party . In the end , Ryzhkov failed in his promise to rebuild Spitak , partly due to the Soviet Union 's mounting economic problems , and partly because many of the city 's Soviet era buildings had not been designed with adequate earthquake protection , making their reconstruction more difficult
1988 earthquake
1988 Armenian earthquake
Nikolai Ryzhkov