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Gorby calls for new environmental 'glasnost'
Ireland Online ^ | 23/09/2004

Posted on 09/24/2004 1:25:36 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Former president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev called for a new “glasnost” - openness – on the environment today.

Mr Gorbachev also said during his appearance at Holland Park School in Kensington in England that the Russian people were still feeling the effects of the quick fix from poverty promised by Boris Yeltsin.

Speaking through a translator, Mr Gorbachev, aged 73, said: “The US, with 5% of the world’s population, consumes 25% of the world’s energy. If this is implemented globally, where do we get the energy?

“We need to change the paradigm of our development, we have to look for a new model. If we don’t, we will cut the roots that make it possible for mankind to live.”

Answering a question from Russian-born year 13 student Anastasia Zabinskaya, on the potential results of “perestroika” (restructuring), Mr Gorbachev said that his plan for Russian wealth would have taken 20 to 30 years to attain.

He attacked Mr Yeltsin’s pledges for immediate prosperity as political posturing.

He said: “They (the Russian people) believed the promise of a quick fix and they felt that if Gorbachev was not delivering on a better life quickly let’s support Yeltsin.

“The result was the disintegration of the country, shock therapy in the army and chaos. We are still feeling the consequences of this.”

He spoke to around 100 selected students for almost an hour. He told them about his first foray into politics at his secondary school.

Following his campaign speech to become the Secretary of the Youth Organisation another candidate for the post pulled away his chair causing him to stumble.

“My conclusion is don’t be afraid to fall and if you do fall, rise to your feet,” he said.

Headteacher Colin Hall said: “To be taught history by someone who shaped history was a unique experience.”

“Mr Gorbachev visited the school, founded in 1958, as part of the launch of the WMD Awareness Programme.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: energy; environment; geopolitics; gorby; mikhailgorbachev

1 posted on 09/24/2004 1:25:37 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Gorby? Gorby? Wasn't he ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?


2 posted on 09/24/2004 1:27:34 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (cong rec 27.3.86 jk speech doubleplusungood malreported cambodia rectify)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
I think Mr. Gorbachev needs some mental perestroika.
3 posted on 09/24/2004 1:28:41 PM PDT by wideawake (God bless our brave soldiers and their Commander in Chief)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Can someone find for us a region of the planet with a worse environmental record that the former Soviet Union?


4 posted on 09/24/2004 1:29:59 PM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Any real environmentalist would be pointing out the fact that our toxic tax code encourages stupid and wasteful consumption of the earth's precious resources with a myriad of loopholes and write-offs.


5 posted on 09/24/2004 1:31:08 PM PDT by yoswif
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To: Phantom Lord

Yup -- CHINA

Can someone please take Gorby and Carter, stuff them in a shipping container, and then send them somewhere that their opinions matter? Like the Antarctic? Or maybe somewhere nice like North Korea.


6 posted on 09/24/2004 1:37:18 PM PDT by datura (Kerry 's "plans" are merely a distraction. He plans to let Islam win. It's "easier".)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Gorbachev. The Jimmy Carter of Russia.


7 posted on 09/24/2004 1:38:16 PM PDT by hang 'em (It's not a religion, it's a DISEASE.)
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To: datura

I don't know. I would put the former USSR up against China in a battle of the worst environment.


8 posted on 09/24/2004 1:45:17 PM PDT by Phantom Lord (Advantages are taken, not handed out)
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To: hang 'em

nic. very nice.


9 posted on 09/24/2004 1:47:53 PM PDT by KOZ. (i'm so bad i should be in detention)
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To: farmfriend


10 posted on 09/24/2004 1:54:07 PM PDT by Libertarianize the GOP (Make all taxes truly voluntary)
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: Tailgunner Joe

>>>The US, with 5% of the world’s population, consumes 25% of the world’s energy<<<

Third-Worlders disgust me.

It was the USA who BROUGHT those morons out of the dark ages! If we use 100% or 25% of what we invent or produce - eff 'em all!


12 posted on 09/24/2004 2:21:22 PM PDT by hushpad
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Start by cleaning that disgusting waste off your head!


13 posted on 09/24/2004 3:55:09 PM PDT by GOP_1900AD (Stomping on "PC," destroying the Left, and smoking out faux "conservatives" - Right makes right!)
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To: Tailgunner Joe; abbi_normal_2; Ace2U; adam_az; Alamo-Girl; Alas; alfons; alphadog; amom; ...
Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.
14 posted on 09/24/2004 6:13:07 PM PDT by farmfriend ( In Essentials, Unity...In Non-Essentials, Liberty...In All Things, Charity.)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Once a socalist, still a socialist.

http://www.greencrossinternational.net/index.asp

http://www.gfna.net/index.php (The Gorbachev Foundation of North America, Located at Northeastern University)


15 posted on 09/24/2004 8:56:54 PM PDT by endthematrix (Bad news is good news for the Kerry campaign!)
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To: farmfriend

BTTT!!!!!!!


16 posted on 09/25/2004 3:07:18 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: farmfriend
Green Communists...?They're all AROUND us!
17 posted on 09/25/2004 10:11:58 AM PDT by Seadog Bytes (OPM* - The Liberal solution to all of society's problems. (*...Other Peoples' Money))
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