Gorbachev makes his mark

Alicia Robinson

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev brought an audience to its

feet and provoked thunderous applause as he spoke and answered

questions for a sold-out crowd Tuesday at the Barclay Theatre.

The ex-communism leader shared his insights on global political

conflicts and environmental issues before he received the inaugural

UC Irvine Citizen Peacebuilding award, which will be named for him.

Now an environmental activist working to promote disarmament and

cooperation among nations, the 73-year-old Gorbachev discussed his

view of this planet’s biggest challenges. Speaking through an

interpreter, he listed security, poverty and environmental

degradation as the main sources of global concern, and he cautioned

that globalization has been a blind and uncontrolled force.

Most people reject America’s unilateral policies that seem

designed to create an empire, Gorbachev said. He added that

attempting to create even a good empire is similar to the goal of

communist governments to make the world happier through their rule.

“It seems that we’re not learning from the mistakes of ourselves

or the mistakes of others,” he said. “It seems almost like ‘been

there, done that.’”

He called the U.S. military action in Iraq a “big mistake” that

has led to more terrorism, harmed international relations and

increased the likelihood of nuclear conflict.

People and nations must work together to address problems of the

environment and political conflicts, he said, and above all, they

must remain optimistic.

“However difficult the problems we are facing, we must be

convinced, we must be confident that the problems can be solved, and

therefore we must act,” he said.

Several of those who attended the speech said they were drawn by

Gorbachev’s great reputation, and they appreciated his candor and

insight.

David Sonksen of Irvine said he considers Gorbachev a hero because

he questioned the values of communism from early in his career and

realized that environmental issues would be a future cause of strife

among nations.

“He said communism doesn’t work,” Sonksen said. “The reason it

doesn’t work is because Russia is the richest in natural resources,

but its people are the poorest.”

Retired UC Irvine chancellor Jack Peltason said he didn’t think

the once-Soviet president’s remarks were a critique of American

foreign policy.

“It was more general, but equally harsh on all countries,” he

said.

Peltason said he enjoyed Gorbachev’s talk.

“It was a chance to see one of the most influential men in all of

history,” Peltason said.

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

alicia.robinson@latimes.com.