They are acts committed in a carefully organized. centrally directed effort designed to further the basic interests of the Soviet nomenklatura. the small band of totalitarians who rule the Soviet State. Andrei Sakharovs own experiences illustrate this point too well. Let us examine the suffering he experienced as he attempted to obtain an exit visa for his wife. Elena Bonner. so she could travel to the west for treatment of her heart condition: May 1. 1984. Dr. Sakharov begins a hunger strike to protest Soviet denial of Elena Bonners request for an exit visa for medical treatment. May 7. 1984. Dr.