The World - News from Oct. 2, 1988
After more than five decades as an off-limits city in the Soviet Far East, Vladivostok opened its gates to foreigners, hosting an international conference aimed at bringing the region into greater contact with its Asian neighbors. In a message to the 400 delegates from 35 countries, Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev said that the Kremlin is committed to removing “all invented and real curtains, iron, bamboo and any others,” so that the Soviet Far East can join in political and economic dialogue with countries in the region. Entry to Vladivostok had been barred to foreigners and most Soviet citizens since 1933.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
