Mikhail Gorbachev meets California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

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On October 12, Mikhail Gorbachev met with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gorbachev and Schwarzenegger have known each other for a long time and on the eve of his trip to Russia, the Governor expressed his desire to meet Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow. The two leaders had a warm, friendly conversation over the lunch that was held at the Gorbachev Foundation and lasted over two hours. On his visit to the Gorbachev Foundation, Schwarzenegger was accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, John Beyrle.

The Governor of California told Mikhail Gorbachev about the purpose of his visit to Russia and shared his impressions of Moscow and of the meetings and talks he had there. The lively exchange of opinions that followed was mostly about the problems and challenges facing Russia, the United States and the world in general. The two leaders noted with satisfaction that after a difficult period in relations between the two countries, ties are improving again and there is a real prospect of genuine partnership. “Most Americans wish Russia success in her efforts at modernization and want her to become a strong and prosperous country," Schwarzenegger said.

After the lunch, Arnold Schwarzenegger took a tour of the Gorbachev Foundation’s permanent exhibit Mikhail Gorbachev: Life and Reforms, which was opened on March 11, 2005, to commemorate the 20th anniversary since the start of Perestroika. The Governor familiarized himself with its unique items and documents on display and left an entry in the guest book.

Photos by Dmitry Belanovsky of the Gorbachev Foundation