Word: gorbachev
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Human rights have always been a touchy topic for Soviet leaders, and for Gorbachev more than most. Reagan plans an appeal to Soviet self-interest, arguing that it is abuses of human rights that make the U.S. public most suspicious of Moscow, and most unwilling to conclude agreements. Gorbachev has developed a counterargument that the U.S.S.R. values such "human rights" as full employment and free medical care, which the U.S. ignores. In addition, the Soviet press has lately been playing up such alleged U.S. violations of human rights as the Move bombing in Philadelphia. Sample fulmination: according to Pravda...
...discussed, however, can make a lasting difference in the long run, and only the heads of government can set the tone for their subordinates. Barring some spectacular blowup or equally improbable major agreement, the success or failure of the summit will eventually be judged less by what Reagan and Gorbachev do in Geneva than by what happens in what is likely to be a long and difficult series of follow-up negotiations. Says one senior American official: "Both sides have moved to the recognition that the real importance of the summit will rest on what comes after...
...Gorbachev is equally adamant in his desire to ban any research, testing or development of Star Wars technology. Arms-control negotiations at the summit could thrive or die on the SDI issue...
While the U.S.S.R. also wants to keep regional disputes from boiling into East-West incidents, the Soviets will insist on their right to support what they consider "wars of liberation." Gorbachev will criticize U.S. backing of the contras and intervention such as the 1983 invasion of Grenada. He will probably agree to sign an antiterrorism statement...
Reagan will criticize Gorbachev for his government's treatment of Jews. Andrei Sakharov and other dissidents; its oppression in Eastern Europe; and its failure to comply with the Helsinki accords...