30 September 2008
Gorbachev alarmed by militarizing politics, mentality
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has urged modern politicians to abstain from the use of force in the resolution of disputes.
"We must loudly declare the danger of militarizing politics and our mentality. There is nothing more absurd and alien to common sense and human experience than military force as a universal tool for the solution of problems, an instrument of democratization and an incentive to economic growth," he told the media on Thursday.
"Today's problems are rooted in the deficiency of political will and leadership, the inability to learn lessons of the past and to look to the future," Gorbachev said.
"Still, I am optimistic. I believe that we will return to international laws, the UN Charter and the Paris Charter for a New Europe our countries have signed. I believe we can form a European
security architecture, which will make unthinkable the use of force and conflicts similar to the recent tragic events in the Caucasus," he said.
Interfax//25.09.2008
