Former Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev came to Iceland yesterday in relation to the 20th anniversary of his meeting with former US President Ronald Reagan.
The summit was held in Höfdi House in Reykjavík on 12 October 1986. At the occasion, the world leaders reached a turning point in the discussion of disarmament, Gorbachev told the Icelandic media.
The former Soviet leader said the summit had been a success as it showed the world that the leaders of East and West were serious about reaching an agreement. He feels it is important to Icelandic history. RÚV.is reports.
Gorbachev told the Icelandic media that he regretted the fall of the Soviet Union and that he believed the end of the Cold War had made the United States grow more arrogant.
But now, he added, even Americans have come to understand that one nation cannot rule over all others.
Gorbachev also discussed the murder of Russian journalist Anna Politkovsjaja with the Icelandic media after his arrival yesterday. He is one of the owners of the newspaper she worked with.
Gorbachev felt deeply grieved by the murder and said it was a setback for democracy and freedom of speech. Féttabladid reports.
The former General Secretary will hold a presentation in Reykjavík today and have dinner at the presidential resident at Bessastadir tonight.
