Posted on 06/06/2004 5:11:24 AM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has paid tribute to former US President Ronald Reagan, who died today aged 93.
"I feel deep regret," said the last Soviet leader, who met Mr Reagan on the sidelines of a meeting in Geneva in 1985 before the two held a historic summit in Reykjavik the following year as Mr Reagan launched a series of meetings that led to an easing of tensions, and eventually to the Soviet Union's collapse.
"For me, Ronald Reagan is a great president," Mr Gorbachev told Moscow Echo radio.
He said that Mr Reagan appeared at the right place at the right time because other leaders in his place might have only heightened the tensions between Moscow and Washington at a time of intense military stand-off, with the threat of nuclear war looming.
"I do not know how other officials would have acted in his place at that moment, because the situation was very tense," Mr Gorbachev said.
"Reagan, who was considered to be far-right, made steps toward us, and herein lies his credit."
Just another 3rd Way- 4th Reich Commie....welcomed to America and propped up by traitors
imo
Ronnie gave old Splotch a major a## kicking.
"Reagan, who was considered to be far-right, made steps toward us, and herein lies his credit."
That's right, you birthmarked son of a communist lecher. Ronald Reagan stepped forward, extending the hand of peaceful competition, and you blinked.
Loser.
Reagan, in many ways, personified the goodness and greatness America is capable of.
Gorby, what was that moribund Commie empire of your's capable of in return?
Reagan single-handedly won the Cold War with one simple gesture. When he went to Moscow for the summit in 1987 he mingled with the Russian people. Never again could the USSR paint Reagan or the USA as a mortal enemy. It was all downhill from there for the USSR.
That discussion with students in Moscow was one of the greatest performances of his Presidency. I haven't seen tape of that one, but it should be replayed. He gave a civics lesson to Soviets, and they loved it.
It was a really good speech.
As I recall, there was a question and answer period after the speech that was full of give and take and that was totally off the cuff, and he really had some great answers for those young Russians. He went over the heads of the Kremlin just like he went over the heads of the Wapo and NYT. Bush is a good politician, but he can't do that.
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