Gorbachev receives Liberty Medal

At the Liberty Medal Ceremony at the National Constitution Center last night, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev spoke of both the past and future of Russia's relations with the United States and the rest of the world.

Gorbachev, who served as the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, received the 2008 Liberty Medal for his role in ending the Cold War and increasing cooperation with the United States. Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Former President George H.W. Bush, the chairman of the National Constitution Center, presented the award. Bush worked closely with Gorbachev during the late 1980s to end the rivalry between the two countries.

Gorbachev "was clearly a new breed of Soviet leader," Bush said. "Once in office, as we now know, he quickly proved himself to be that rarest of leaders who is not only willing to think anew, but also to act on those convictions."

During the ceremony, Gorbachev called for a "new world order," saying through a translator that many of the world's essential freedoms had fallen by the wayside in recent years.

"More and more frequently, politicians fail in the face of these challenges," he said.

Gorbachev also criticized the use of military force as a "universal solution to problems" and a "tool of democracy," saying these problems arise from politicians' "inability to learn from the past."

Other speakers included National Constitution Center CEO Joseph Torsella, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

"The uncomfortable truth is that we make history, each one of us," Torsella said. "Tonight we honor a man who altered the direction of history and pointed it toward freedom."

Nutter spoke of Gorbachev's own history, describing him as a "true agent of change on the global stage."

Born in 1931, the former Soviet president grew up during the reign of Joseph Stalin, attended Moscow University, and became president in 1985. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In a Q&A session before the ceremony, Gorbachev addressed questions ranging from his views on the chilling relations between the United States and Russia to Iran's nuclear program.

When asked about the possibility of a nuclear Iran, Gorbachev said he believed that Iran should be persuaded not to acquire nuclear weapons, but that he thinks the situation is being "exaggerated" by the international community.

Gorbachev stressed the importance of cooperation in U.S.-Russia relations and said he hoped communication between the two countries would improve.

Past recipients of the Liberty Medal include Bono, Sandra Day O'Connor and Nelson Mandela.

Daily Pennsylvanian //19.09.2008