The Great Communicator, Vol 1: The Reagan Presidency 1981-1989
The Great Communicator, Vol 1: The Reagan Presidency 1981-1989
Tape 654 Part 2 Edited compilation of speeches made by Ronald Reagan during his Presidency. Cold War. Soviet - US relations.
The Great Communicator, Vol 1: The Reagan Presidency 1981-1989
June 12, 1987, Remarks on East-West Relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, Germany. Ronald Reagan says that the free world (as in, the US) is thriving (in purely capitalist terms) and the Communist world is a failure. "Today I say as long as this gate is closed, as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind." "In the 1950s Khrushchev predicted, 'We will bury you.' But in the West today, we see a Free World that has achieved a level of prosperity and well being unprecedented in all human history. In the Communist world, we see failure. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace, General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate." Cheers, union of German and American flags waving. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Cheers.
The Great Communicator, Vol 1: The Reagan Presidency 1981-1989
Dec 8, 1987, Remarks on Signing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. White House ceremony for the signing of the first nuclear arms reduction treaty: Ronald Reagan and MIKHAIL GORBACHEV walk into hall, to podium, press applauding. Reagan, "Thank you. It was over six years ago, November 18, 1981, that I first proposed what would come to be called "The Zero Option." It was a simple proposal, one might say 'disarmingly' simple. (laughter) For the first time in history the language of arms control was replaced by arm reduction. In this case the complete elimination of an entire class of US and Soviet nuclear missiles. The importance of this treaty transcends numbers. We have listened to the wisdom in an old Russian maxim, and I'm sure you're familiar with it. Mister General Secretary, though my pronunciation may give you difficulty, the maxim is 'Doveryay, no proveryay. Trust, but verify.' " (laughter) Gorbachev chuckles and responds, "You repeat that at every meeting." Both men laugh. They walk to an adjacent table, sign the treaty, exchange pens and ledgers, shake hands. Applause.