Posted on 06/05/2004 3:19:47 PM PDT by Kieri
Across Eastern Europe, Gratitude to a President Who Helped End Communism
By William J. Kole Associated Press Writer Published: Jun 5, 2004
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Leaders, former dissidents and ordinary citizens across eastern Europe expressed gratitude to Ronald Reagan for helping to end decades of "evil empire" communism and Cold War-era oppression. Most of the region threw off communist rule in 1989, the year Reagan retired from a presidency marked by determination to loosen the grip of the Soviet Union through diplomacy and unrelenting appeals to the masses via Radio Free Europe.
As the world paused to remember the sacrifices of Allied troops 60 years ago on D-Day, leaders such as former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban reflected on Reagan's influence in bringing democracy to those starved for it behind the Iron Curtain.
"Hungary and Europe do not forget Ronald Reagan's help and his support for the former communist countries," Orban, 41, told The Associated Press on Saturday.
In 1983, Reagan stunned the world by denouncing the Kremlin as an "evil empire" whose nuclear arsenal threatened the globe.
In 1987, in a speech at the Berlin Wall, he challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev: "If you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization ... tear down this wall."
Throughout, the Reagan administration devoted manpower and cash to quietly expanding its contacts in East bloc countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia.
"He is the one who allowed the breakup of the Soviet Union. May God rest his soul," said Bogdan Chireac, a foreign affairs analyst for the Romanian newspaper Adevarul.
Reagan appointed a deputy secretary of state to shuttle in and out of the region, and encouraged others to do the same. He poured millions of dollars into programming by Voice of America and Prague-based Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, using the airwaves to encourage fledgling pro-democracy movements like Poland's Solidarity.
"During his administration, U.S. citizens at all levels and of all walks of life - politicians, senators, journalists, academics - systematically and repeatedly were visiting Czechoslovakia and other communist countries, meeting the dissidents and the opposition," former Czech dissident Jiri Dienstbier told AP.
"Their open support was very important for our safety and for our position in society," he said.
As his presidency wound down, Reagan lashed out at communism in eastern Europe as "an artificial economic and political system, long imposed on these people against their will."
Within a year, the Berlin Wall had fallen.
"Mr. Reagan, along with Pope John Paul II, was one of the architects who dismantled communism in eastern Europe and stopped the expansion of the Soviet Union," said Ivo Samson, an analyst with the Slovak Foreign Policy Association.
"The fact that today Bulgaria is a member of NATO could happen only after the efforts of this great American president. His name will forever remain in history," said Petko Bocharov, a prominent Bulgarian journalist.
There were some bumps on the road to freedom.
In 1984, while testing a microphone, Reagan cracked a joke that didn't set well with the Soviets at the height of the nuclear arms race. "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes," Reagan quipped.
His administration was criticized by human rights activists for waiting until early 1989, the year the brutal Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was toppled and executed, to withdraw that country's "most favored nation" trade status.
But his speeches, which so often sought to encourage the oppressed while taking aim at their oppressors, stirred a generation.
"For us, Reagan was important because we knew he was really anti-communist, emotionally anti-communist," said Zdenek Kosina, 65, a Czech computer specialist.
"For us, he was a symbol of the United States' genuine determination to bring communism to an end."
Laurentiu Ivan, 35, a customs officer in the Romanian capital, struggled to describe Reagan's legacy and then said: "It is due to him that we are free."
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I turned away from the computer and looked to see who was saying it!
Even though that specific event wasn't the theme of Tyrell's piece-the topic of Grenada was framed within the context of his recent vacation to the Caribbean island-it did serve to illustrate his main point.
Namely, that President Reagan's legacy of resisting the encroachments of worldwide Soviet domination were ultimately beneficial for all of mankind.
This is probably one of those rare moments when I should feel grateful that I don't have to tune in to MSNBC or CNN.
That was a channel surfing moment...Fox has been terrific on this.
I just wish my TV weren't on the blink, otherwise I'd be able to watch "Fox News Sunday."
I'd love to hear what Brit Hume has to say in the wake of President Reagan's lamentable passing.
"....and no other forward personage so well represented the desire and necessity for human freedom."
Very well put, Agnes. I was watching Fox News coverage and one of Mr. Reagan's former staffers said that he understood freedom as a "universal imperitive" in a way that so few of our leaders ever have. It occurs to me that that is what is missing in the controversy today over the war on terrorism.
Look on the sidebar just at 9 est and get on the live thread..Live Sunday Morning Shows..
How did this story get past AP's editors?
Weekend staffing comes through again.
Coincidentally, recall that it was on a weekend that the Wall came down. All the caviar eating fat cats were out of town and none of the bureaucrats dared issue an order that would be second guessed later. It was safer to do nothing than to be sacked for giving the order that would spill blood in the streets of Berlin.
May Ronald Reagan live long in our memories. The world has lost a great one today!
Don't mess with Texas and don't mess with Reagan!
Two adages that should not be forgotten by the despotic tin-pot dictators currently flouting the laws of international decency and human rights.
I'm on it!
That didn't set well with the Dims & liberals either. However, it was a great Reagan joke. One of his best.
James Baker just gave a great example of Reagan's quick wit...They had talked him into inviting Tutu to WH after a Reagan Africa bill had been vetoed and the veto over riden, Congress had taken over Africa policy and they wanted to reach out even though Tutu had been very harsh all along in his criticism of RR..
At the press conference with Tutu..the press asked RR about every cricism made and Reagan said this is a photo op..no questions..They turned to Tutu who repeated the criticisms ...on and on...After he left..The press asked "how was your meeting with Tutu?"...Reagan said "so so."
I hope we have enough to offer now that this isn't a sign of the end.
Reagan was villified by the elites in this country and Europe during the Cold War as the President is today. Those folks just can't seem to get it right!
ping to #6
Too bad WESTERN Europe doesn't appreciate what Reagan meant for their freedom.
We will see her at the services.
Weekend crew. Crazy kids.
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