The following is an excerpt from a speech given by US President Ronald
Reagan in 1987, in which he refers to the Berlin Wall. How is Gorbachev's role
in ending communism acknowledged here?
And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be
coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear
much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and
openness. Some political prisoners have been released.
Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being
jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted
to operate with greater freedom from state control.
Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the
Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise
false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system
without changing it? We welcome change and openness;
for we believe that freedom and security go together, that
the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the
cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can
make that would be unmistakable, that would advance
dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.