Gorbachev hopes for new US policies under Obama

     Some Russians call Barack Obama the American Gorbachev because of his promises to bring change to his country. And the real Mikhail Gorbachev said Thursday that change is what the U.S. wants and needs.

     "America needs its own perestroika," the former Soviet leader said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press.

     With the overwhelming election of Obama, "the entire world felt that America wanted change and was expecting change," said Gorbachev, 77.

     Obama's detractors in Russia express hope that his policies will lead to the demise of the United States, pointing to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 following Gorbachev's liberal reforms.

     But Gorbachev said the world needs a strong America, as shown by the current global financial crisis, and he urged Washington to use its power for the good of all.

     "America is needed — an America that is strong, democratic and sure of itself — for the entire world, not just for Americans," he said. "We are seeing that if it's bad for America, it's bad for us all."

     He said many world leaders, including those in Russia and Iran, are eager for improved relations with Washington, and he urged Obama not to miss the opportunity.

     For many Americans, Russia has moved to the top of the list of rogue nations, Gorbachev said. He expressed hope that Obama would usher in a new period in U.S.-Russian relations when he becomes president in January.

     Russia shocked the West with its invasion of neighboring Georgia in August. And when most world leaders were extending congratulations to Obama on his victory, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev threatened to station short-range missiles in Kaliningrad on NATO's borders if the United States pushed ahead with missile defense sites in Eastern Europe.

     Gorbachev said it was not an attempt to test the young president-elect.

     "This was simply something from a past era," he said. "As you do to us, we will do to you. ... We don't need this."

     He urged Obama to "muster his courage" and reconsider the decision to station missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic.

     Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his role in negotiating arms reduction treaties and ending the Cold War.

     In the interview at the Gorbachev Foundation, his Moscow think tank, he was relaxed and seemingly comfortable in his statesman-like role. Although popular abroad, he commands little attention in Russia, where many blame him for the Soviet collapse.

     Even so, he remains politically active in Moscow, where he co-owns one of the few newspapers still willing to criticize the Kremlin and plans to create a new political party.

     Gorbachev is cautious in his criticism of the political system created by Vladimir Putin, who in his eight years as president brought parliament and regional governors under Kremlin control. But he has nothing but praise for Putin himself, whose popularity and power remain unchallenged in his new role as prime minister.

     Under Medvedev, Putin's protege who took over in May, Russia is moving quickly to change the constitution to extend the presidential term from four years to six years. Many see this as opening the way for an early election and Putin's return to the Kremlin, but Gorbachev said this was unlikely.

     "No, no, if this were done, I would consider it irresponsible," he said. "Frankly speaking, I don't think this is the case. It is the same as if you (the United States) were to announce a new election right after this one."

     He said most Russians still see Putin as the more powerful leader, but stressed that he and Medvedev are one team.

     "We have a real tandem in Russia, a normal tandem, and it poses no danger," Gorbachev said.

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