Gorbachev Has a Lot to Offer

By George Thompson

First things first: NONE of my best friends is a Communist. Now, having said that, let me tell you that Mikhail Gorbachev is the best thing to happen to the world since the invention of sliced bread. Take a look at some of his contributions to this planet's well-being.

It was he who: brought Ronald Reagan to the conference table (witness the current warm-and-getting-warmer state of East-West relations.); broached disarmament (witness the INF treaty and his efforts to trim troops in Europe); called a halt—however temporary—in promoting, aiding, arming, and abetting "wars of revolution" (witness Angola and Afghanistan, and giving the word to Ortega and Castro that today's rubles were going to be in short supply tomorrow); began the ticklish task of dismantling the police state that Stalin built (witness glasnost, perestroika, and the release of political prisoners, including Jews wishing to emigrate); opened long overdue negotiation with China aimed at normalizing relations; and finally, wonder of wonders, welcomed renewal of official relations with Israel.

It also means that we will have gained a very important ally in the diplomatic effort to maneuver a truculent Israel to the table with the PLO.

Little of this would have been possible had not Gorbachev single-handedly managed to change Reagan's view of the USSR as that "evil empire."

Now let it be said at the outset that even the most obtuse observer knows that Gorbachev has done none of the above out of the goodness of his heart. He was forced to take action—as he will continue to do as long as he manages to stay alive—to alleviate the terrible economic conditions at home.

We also know that our own military-industrial complex—the one Dwight D. Eisenhower warned us about—is seeing its profit potential begin to wane. As well it should. There isn't much point in pushing an arms buildup against an empire that in the eyes of its principal adversary isn't so evil anymore .

What does all this have to do with the USSR helping to achieve peace in the Middle East? The short answer is plenty.

The image of a suddenly amiable-to-the-West Russian bear ambling around the area may take some getting used to. But Gorbachev now is:

in the unique position of being able to pressure his country's former clients to take seats at an international peace conference; and
better able to keep some of the more radical Palestinian elements from making trouble—all in the interests of detente, of course.

His charm and public relations flair also can be expected to be used extensively in interpersonal relations in joint East-West efforts to convene such a conference. It also is highly likely that the Russian "nyet" will be heard sparingly within the walls of the United Nations when it comes to Mideast issues.

It also means that we will have gained a very important ally in the diplomatic effort to maneuver a truculent Israel to the table with the PLO.

The months ahead will reveal whether the new administration can overcome an admittedly weakened—but frustrated and therefore dangerous—domestic pressure to keep that from happening.

George Thompson, a retired Foreign Service officer, is a nationally syndicated columnist and television talk show host.