Question

In this assignment, you will take on the role of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Write a short narrative letter to President Ronald Reagan to describe your plans for reform in the Soviet Union, and explain why they will be good for both the USSR and the US. Include supporting facts and details from the lesson in your response.

Answer 1

SYSTEM II91239[ [illegible] 91848]
The White HouseWashingtonNov. 28 '85
Dear Secretary General Gorbachev
Now that we are both home & facing the task of leading our countries into a more constructive relationship with each other, I wanted to waste no time in giving you some of my initial thoughts on our meetings. Though I will be sending shortly, in a more formal & official manner, a more detailed commentary on our discussions, there are some things I would like to convey very personally & privately.
First, I want you to know that I found our meetings of great value. We had agreed to speak frankly, and we did. As a result, I came away from the meeting with a better understanding of your attitudes. I hope you also understand mine a little better. Obviously there are many things on which we disagree, and disagree very fundamentally. But if I understand you correctly, you too are determined to take steps to see that our nations manage their relations in a peaceful fashion. If this is the case, then this is one point on which we are in total agreement--and it is after all the most fundamental one of all.
DECLASSIFIEDAuthority: N. Menan, NSC 10/11/91By: DSD, NARA       Date: 10/16/91




thus was the English version