Twenty years have gone by since the memorable March 1985 plenum of the Communist Party, where Mikhail Gorbachev, who advocated restructuring the Soviet system, was chosen as the new General Secretary. The twentieth anniversary of perestroika was celebrated in almost all countries of the world, with the conspicuous exception of Russia. Special events featuring the “father of perestroika” himself took place in Italy, Germany, and England. The United States enjoyed its own share of the festive spirit.

The American program began with a symposium in Washington, D.C. In addition to Mikhail Gorbachev, participants there included Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and media tycoon Ted Turner. On the day of the symposium, President Gorbachev received… a Grammy award. Last year, he, together with Ex-President Clinton and Sophia Loren, narrated the fairy tale Peter and the Wolf.

The next day, Mikhail Gorbachev was honored with an award from the Patriarch of Constantinople as an outstanding defender of civil rights and liberties. Former CIA Director George Tenet, Greek in his ethnic origin, recognized Gorbachev for his accomplishments. At the University in Miami former leader of the Soviet Union was named distinguished lecturer.

- President Gorbachev, your current trip to the United States is dedicated to the twentieth anniversary of perestroika. You have scheduled many meetings with the American people. What is the main thought that you attempt to convey to your listeners?

- First of all, I would like for everyone to understand the perestroika was crucially important not only for the Soviet Union, but also for the entire world. Secondly, it is imperative that the world consider the lessons of perestroika and not repeat similar mistakes again. The situation in the world today makes it apparent that the lessons of the Cold War and perestroika are not fully understood. Politics everywhere godlessly lags more and more behind the rapidly-changing reality of lives. We should see and recognize the new world that we now live in. New countries have entered the international arena: China, India, Brazil…

Globalization is gaining momentum. In most recent history, globalization was beneficial only to wealthy industrial nations. Meanwhile, more than half of all people in the world live for less than one dollar a day. Islamic countries also present problems. For one and a half thousand years, the Muslim world had a significant role in the development of world civilization and culture. These problems cannot be solved by any single remedy… We must change, we must restructure ourselves. The United States, for one, should jettison its superiority complex. America needs its own perestroika.

- President Gorbachev, does it look to you that in recent years, the conquests of perestroika in Russia – glasnost and democracy – have been gradually diminished?

- The situation in Russia is not an easy one. Putin is now under pressure from two sides, if not three. It is, however, certain that there will not be any return to the past, to that totalitarian regime. Such a guarantee is the principal achievement of perestroika.

- How do you see yourself within the framework of history: as a politician, a philosopher, a rebel, or a ruler of a superpower?

- I imagine there is a little of everything. Of course, I am primarily a politician. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of my entrance into politics. It is, without any doubts, a formidable experience. A politician has to deal with issues of all types: philosophic, social, economic, religious – any fathomable questions… This capacity stresses a politician’s omnipotence and, simultaneously, his utter helplessness.

- President Gorbachev, is it true that you intend to have a chess match with former world champion Anatoly Karpov?

- I have never played chess with Anatoly Karpov. After the first three moves, Karpov would understand that I am a total nothing at chess. I am indeed friends with Karpov and do plan to meet him in Kansas soon. We, however, do not plan to play chess.

- Mr. President, could you say why Mikhail Gorbachev still remains the most in-demand Russian politician in the West?         

- You should be the judge of this issue… I believe that people are naturally well-disposed towards politicians who respect the people and who are ready for a dialog… I think that people saw that Gorbachev is not among those rulers who would provoke a nuclear war and bring chaos into the world just to achieve their political goals and to tighten their grip on power. Our ability to stop the nuclear race and to preserve the peace was a colossal accomplishment. 

- What is it that you would change in today’s world first of all?

- For one, I would like to change the global vision. The world needs a new vision and new politics. One must acknowledge the new reality. It should be understood that the world today cannot be reduced to an arrangement of security for only America, only Russia, or only China. Security must be mutual, global. The second important problem that we must address is poverty and backwardness. It is precisely in these problems that the threat of terrorism is rooted. Destitute, starving people are ready to take radical measures. They can eagerly affiliate themselves with terrorist groups. The third problem that now threatens the world is the environment. We have suddenly come to understand that we stand almost at the edge of an abyss.

To summarize, I’d like to see a new global vision, a new political order, a solution to world poverty, and prompt response to environmental threats. These three tasks are the most important.