Gorbachev warns over 'new Berlin walls of mistrust' in Europe

Moscow, Nov 6 : Ahead of the celebrations on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev has warned over creating new barriers between nations.

'Those events and their peaceful nature were possible after changes that began to take place in the Soviet Union in the mid-1980s,' Mr Gorbachev, the architect of sweeping reforms known as 'glasnost' and 'perestroika', said in an article in the government-controlled daily newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta published today.

Mr Gorbachev, who presided over the breakup of the Soviet Union, said 1989 was a turning point in world history, which saw the Berlin Wall's collapse and velvet revolutions that toppled Communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe.

He said the Soviet Union then abandoned its domineering policy toward Soviet-bloc states leaving them to decide their future, which helped avoid bloodshed during ensuing revolts.

However, Mr Gorbachev said nations failed to create viable security arrangements after the end of the Cold War and new "separation lines" appeared in Europe, which was rocked by bloody wars.

'Mistrust and old stereotypes have been preserved. Russia is suspected of malicious, aggressive, imperial intentions,' Mr Gorbachev said, condemning the policy of confrontation with Russia pursued by former Communist-bloc states and attempts to draw a parallel between the former Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

'Those who want to build a new wall of mutual mistrust and hostility in Europe are doing a disservice to their countries and Europe as a whole,' Mr Gorbachev warned.

The former Soviet leader also said the European Union had rushed to expand, admitting former communist states without forging a clear model of relations with Russia and other states outside the alliance.

He also criticised the attitudes of certain Western politicians to Russia's rebirth after the chaotic post-Soviet years.

'In Europe, unfortunately, there is no lack of politicians who would like to see an unequal model of relations with Russia,' he said.

'What Russia do you need?' he asked. 'A strong, entirely self-sufficient one or a simple supplier of resources that knows its place?'

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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