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May 17, 1989

Notepad of Teimuraz Stepanov-Mamaladze, 17 May 1989

This document was made possible with support from MacArthur Foundation

May 17, 1989.

 

Speech by M.S. [Gorbachev] at the NPC [National People’s Congress] at a meeting with representatives of the Chinese public.

 

Social kinship of the two great revolutions of our times. The future before us must correct the lessons [mistakes] of the past.

 

The rise of the ideological differences to the level of state confrontation.

 

New silk road [unclear].

 

***

 

Conversation with E.A. [Shevardnadze]

 

***

 

Talks with Deng [Xiaoping]

 

C[entral] C[ommittee] Secretary Yang Minfu, old interpreter. Tito. All that was between us was blown away by the wind.

 

***

 

Cancel the press-conference. 200 thousand [students] around us.

 

[Evgenii] Primakov: This is a revolution.

 

People who lived though the Cultural Revolution say that they don’t remember anything like it.

 

***

 

Press-conference

 

Conducted by G[ennadii] I. Gerasimov

Shakhnazarov, Iakovlev, Iu. D. Masliukov, Chazov, Troianovskii, Shakhnazarov [sic]

 

M.S. [Gorbachev]: We became very briefly acquainted with Beijing, its sights (not a word about the demonstrations). The key moment of the visit was the meeting and the talk with Deng Xiaoping. New stage of Sino-Soviet relations. Universal principle. Neither China nor USSR should reappraise their [one word unclear]. Both of our countries consider peace and development to be the most important principles of existence.

 

***

 

There is a list in line with the classic scheme. Statement at the press-conference. Sino-Soviet economic ties. Energy. Metallurgy. Transport. Production of consumer goods.

 

***

 

The people of science and culture who came with us hold the same opinion.

 

***

 

Exchanged opinions on the state of affairs in the [Soviet] Union.

 

***

 

Great China Wall [in English in the original]

 

Two meetings with the youth of China. As if there were no thirty years [of confrontation].

 

- Did you see the students? [Question to Gorbachev]

 

- I received a very warm letter from them. In a TV interview I thanked them and all who, during these days [end of sentence]. I value their position.

 

[this is followed by several questions from the media and some of Gorbachev’s answers at the press conference]

 

Teimuraz Stepanov-Mamaladze notebook, covering May 17 of USSR trip to China to normalize relations. Notes a speech by Gorbachev at China's National People's Congress, before moving to the call to cancel a planned press conference because there are "200 thousand [students] around us...This is a revolution." Some press conference is then held, and Gorbachev's comments are summarized. The notes conclude with Gorbachev's comments on the student protesters.



Document Information

Source

Hoover Institution Archive, Teimuraz Stepanov-Mamaladze Papers: Notepad 15.05.1989. Translated by Sergey Radchenko.

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Original Uploaded Date

2015-03-26

Type

Notebook

Language

Record ID

121777

Donors

MacArthur Foundation