Mikhail Gorbachev

Re “Offer Gorbachev the Top U.N. Job,” Commentary, July 8: Being the perennial neophyte that I am regarding Russian politics--who’s in charge, why and that sort of thing--can someone tell me why Mikhail Gorbachev is disliked by Russians but they do like Boris Yeltsin? In my view both are for democracy, against communism. However, Gorbachev is a leader while Yeltsin is someone’s puppet.

It was gratifying to learn I’m not alone in my opinion after reading Jonathan Power’s column. Power described Gorbachev as “the former president of the Soviet Union and the man who, far more than any other human being, brought about the end of the Cold War, dismantled the Communist system at home and engineered the freedom of Eastern Europe.” He also said, “Ronald Reagan did not defeat dictatorial communism, Gorbachev did,” as concluded in a book on Gorbachev by Oxford professor Archie Brown.

It will be a sad day indeed if Gorbachev is forever exiled to the land of the Rodney Dangerfields.

KAY WOOD

Corona

* Thank you for printing Power’s valuable article. Indeed Congress and the president have used the U.N. and Boutros Boutros-Ghali in a shabby, scapegoating manner.

However, I disagree that Gorbachev would be a good candidate for U.N. leadership (but I think he would be splendid Russian delegate at the U.N.). To be a “household name” would not satisfy many in our country whose blinders and attitudes still regard Gorbachev as part of Reagan’s “Evil Empire.”

I also agree, particularly as it still is “Africa’s turn,” that Desmond Tutu would enjoy wide respect and admiration.

But to buttress the noble vision of the United Nations, it is time for a woman leader. None is more gloriously gifted than Norway’s Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland. Her commitment to peace and justice is well-known in all member countries of the U.N. She is resolute and strong, decisive and effective. She has great intellect, ability to listen, work with others and to act. And she has a common sense of budget and organizing, considerations greatly needed in some reorganization of the U.N.--still the best hope for peace on our planet.

GRACE EHLMAN

North Hollywood