Gorbachev makes his mark

Listeners unite to laud the former leader of the Soviet Union at UCI's Barclay Theatre.
Alicia Robinson
Daily Pilot

Los Angeles Times. March 24, 2004

UC IRVINE - Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev brought an audience to its feet and provoked thunderous applause as he spoke and answered questions for a sold-out crowd Tuesday at the Barclay Theatre.

The ex-communism leader shared his insights on global political conflicts and environmental issues before he received the inaugural UC Irvine Citizen Peacebuilding award, which will be named for him.

Now an environmental activist working to promote disarmament and cooperation among nations, the 73-year-old Gorbachev discussed his view of this planet's biggest challenges. Speaking through an interpreter, he listed security, poverty and environmental degradation as the main sources of global concern, and he cautioned that globalization has been a blind and uncontrolled force.

Most people reject America's unilateral policies that seem designed to create an empire, Gorbachev said. He added that attempting to create even a good empire is similar to the goal of communist governments to make the world happier through their rule.

"It seems that we're not learning from the mistakes of ourselves or the mistakes of others," he said. "It seems almost like 'been there, done that.'"

He called the U.S. military action in Iraq a "big mistake" that has led to more terrorism, harmed international relations and increased the likelihood of nuclear conflict.

People and nations must work together to address problems of the environment and political conflicts, he said, and above all, they must remain optimistic.

"However difficult the problems we are facing, we must be convinced, we must be confident that the problems can be solved, and therefore we must act," he said.

Several of those who attended the speech said they were drawn by Gorbachev's great reputation, and they appreciated his candor and insight.

David Sonksen of Irvine said he considers Gorbachev a hero because he questioned the values of communism from early in his career and realized that environmental issues would be a future cause of strife among nations.

"He said communism doesn't work," Sonksen said. "The reason it doesn't work is because Russia is the richest in natural resources, but its people are the poorest."

Retired UC Irvine chancellor Jack Peltason said he didn't think the once-Soviet president's remarks were a critique of American foreign policy.

"It was more general, but equally harsh on all countries," he said.

Peltason said he enjoyed Gorbachev's talk.

"It was a chance to see one of the most influential men in all of history," Peltason said.