Gorbachov likes Putin’s politics

12/06/2006

On June 7, a group of participants of the 13th world editors’ forum and 59th world media congress were invited to dine with Russian ex-president Mikhail Gorbachev. The main topic for discussion with the world editors was the reformation (perestroika) politics led by Gorbachev. He was trying to explain to everyone that his purpose was not to collapse the Soviet Union, but reform the state. Although he said that he liked Putin’s politics, he criticized Yeltsin. According to Gorbachev, Yeltsin did what he was told to do by the USA, starting from organizing sabotage during his term. “Those who listen to what the U.S. has to say are not successful,” said the ex-president.

“168 Hours” asked Mikhail Gorbachev about the Karabagh conflict, to which he gave a short answer and stated that he had expressed his opinion and didn’t have anything else to add. “Patience, all you need is patience. I think that such conflicts can’t be solved in a way which is accepted by one party and is not accepted by the other. I said the same thing back in 1988. The sides need to find a model for the resolution, which will be accepted by both parties. They need to work out a solution taking into account the historical aspects of Armenia, Karabagh and Azerbaijan”, said Gorbachev.