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International International

Interview with
Michael S. Karlen

the author of the book “Michail
Gorbachev: Essential Thoughts”

Were you in close contact with Mr How does he remember his visit to Geneva
Gorbachev while writing the book? for the summit, the summit with Ronal
By Marit Fosse and Evelina Rioukhina Are you in close contact with him now? Reagan that was the beginning of the end to
I met Mikhail Gorbachev several times in the Cold War?
mostly informal settings over the last few I let him speak for himself (from the “Essential
Michael S. Karlen, a Swiss national, lived of warmth and goodwill. Quite extraordinary. years. I also worked very closely with Karen Thoughts” book): “In Geneva, it was not
and studied in Zurich during the time of It was a very relaxed meeting that gave me a Karagezyan and Vladimir Polyakov of the possible to find solutions to the key problems of
Gorbachev’s Perestroika. During the early very good insight into the person of Mikhail Gorbachev Foundation. Both have been with ending the arms race and strengthening peace.
2000s he worked for the Permanent Mission Gorbachev. the “President” since the time in the Kremlin. But even then, in the autumn of 1985, and long
of Switzerland to the United Nations in Since the Pandemic Mikhail Gorbachev has after, I believed and still believe that the meeting
Geneva and in 2005 he became Secretary- What is the main message you are been isolated in a Clinic and there is very was necessary and useful. The international
General of the non-profit Comprehensive passing through your book? Is it for limited contact with the “outside world”. Even situation was becoming too alarming because
Dialogue among Civilizations (CDAC), current or for future generations? on his recent 90 birthday he remained at the of the arms race, too many fables were involved
th
founded by former UNOG Director-General I had three clear goals for the book: clinic and was connected through Zoom to his in this regard. There was a need to dispel this
Vladimir Petrovsky and based in Geneva. 1. To capture the essential thoughts and team at the Foundation. fog, to verify the words by deeds. Anything
Karlen currently lives and works as an editor message of Mikhail Sergeyvich Gorbachev
in Geneva with regular visits to Moscow and which I believe are timeless, universal and of
New York. vital importance for humanity in the years
and decades to come. The book should help
How did it happen that you decided to write to keep these very high ideas, ideals and
a book about Gorbachev? Where did you values alive and promote them among the
meet him? Tell us about your first meeting. new generations and particularly among the
What impression did you get of him? leaders;
Mikhail Gorbachev wrote the forward for a 2. To let people discover the personality behind
book that I edited about Vladimir Petrovsky, the headlines, the thoughts, the feelings, the
former UNOG Director-General (1993-2002) dreams, the motivations of Mikhail Gorbachev
and Deputy Foreign Minister under Gorbachev – revealed in his own words; and
during the Perestroika years. I wrote him a 3. To create a book that is attractive and
heartfelt Thank You letter which he liked and inviting for todays public which wants to
which somehow opened the doors. The first get everything quick and clear and in small
meeting in December 2015 was maybe the best portions. This was done in selecting short,
of the several meetings I had. We brought the concise passages from his writings, many
first copy of the Petrovsky book to him in his historical photographs, short commentaries
office and he took time to sit down for more by historians, politicians and also students of
than an hour and talk about his life. It was that time. All is arranged in a modern layout.
fascinating. He emanated a permanent stream

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