Mikhail Gorbachev: Helmut Kohl is a man of strong vitality and character. Mikhail Gorbachev’s interview on the occasion of Helmut Kohl’s 80th birthday

On April 3, 2010, German ex-Chancellor Helmut Kohl celebrated his 80th birthday. In an interview to Izvestiya the first President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev talked about the history of relationship between the two leaders.

Izvestia: Did the fact that you both are from the same generation, “children of war”, help in your contacts with Helmut Kohl?

Mikhail Gorbachev: At first, our relationship was not that smooth. In a public statement Kohl called – in an impolite manner, to put it mildly, - our perestroika a propaganda trick. Because of this demarche the relations between the USSR and the FRG became “frozen”. Having realized that German interests suffered because of that, Kohl did everything he could to make up for his mistake. And when he came to Moscow, in the very first conversation we had with him he proved to be not only an intelligent political leader, but also a frank, sincere person.

We really found out that we both were “children of war”. My father went to war and was seriously wounded. His [Kohl’s] older brother never came back from the front. We knew first-hand about the horrors of the murderous war unleashed by Hitler’s regime. And that helped us better understand one another – and see that we both were seeking peace.

Izvestia: It is obvious that you had trust between you. But how did you reconcile yourself with the fact that Kohl had in effect broken his promise by announcing – without prior consultation with you – his Ten-Point Plan for Germany’s reunification?

Gorbachev: Yes, that was in breach of our agreement to notify one another in advance of any important decisions. And my reaction was very sharp. That “trick” can be easily explained. Kohl was targeting the domestic audience as he started preparations for the forthcoming election. And here is the proof: Even the Foreign Affairs Minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher (of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), the other political party in the coalition government) had no idea that the Chancellor intended to announce his “Ten-Point Plan”.

Subsequently, the dynamics of Germany’s reunification were determined by history itself.

Izvestia: What would be your wishes to Helmut on the day of his 80th birthday?

Gorbachev: First of all, I wish Helmut Kohl to recover his health as soon as possible. He can do it: He is a man of strong vitality and character. Last November, I had a private meeting with Kohl and his wife, Maike Kohl-Richter. And guess what he told me at the end of the meeting. He said he was dreaming of once again visiting me at my home and then making a trip together from Moscow to Vladivostok!

Izvestia, 06.04.2010