and because it eighty you already know a lot you've experienced many things i can view life in a primitive way that is a laugh a safer today compared to the late eighty's. if we look at the middle east for example in most countries where people took to the streets demanding the resignation of their leaders these leaders have been in power for twenty or thirty years it is unbelievable mubarak has ruled egypt for twenty nine years for gadhafi we are all confused about the actual date when his rule began so i think we were right when we said there should be a limit otherwise people got tired of the same leaders in addition after ten years or so you get nepotism leaders become too preoccupied to take care of the things that are really important that's why we decided that the maximum term for the general secretary the chairman of the council of ministers and others would be ten years after ten years they had to step down. so you think ten years is the ideal period for a head of state but yes of course many of those people are very capable they can be

very useful in other areas but it is important to have rotation young people should not feel like they are locked in a box lest they upset the system built on nepotism if you concerned when i look at the world today. lenin whom i respect once said don't be afraid of chaos we see a lot of chaos around chaos produces new forms of life it is true so these troubles too will pass it won't be easy of course changes are never easy but this will be a step to a better future will too. cousin gives what. he often say that what you regret most is the disintegration of the soviet union do you think that it could exist in two thousand and eleven what it would have been like today had it not integrated. it could exist even longer it should have become a union of sovereign states with the communist regime. being

a union of sovereign states means that each sovereign state has the right to make its own choice the conditions we were in required that we practice what the constitution said and the constitutions of the soviet republics said they were states entitled to self-determination that's why we should have made them sovereign states. but with different regimes different political systems do you mean that some countries could be democratic while others remain communist. no i think they all would have followed the same scenario because they would be making their choice at a stage when they were still close to each other in many respects so if something would change in one stays others would follow. they would have been like communicating vessels today sixty or seventy percent of people say they were gresh that the soviet union fell apart because when you ask them if they want the soviet union to be restored only nine percent say yes. we would do you blame yourself for the fall of the soviet union. no i fought the best i could to defend

the soviet union but i failed why do you think the c.i.s. fell apart it is practically nonexistent. that's because of the political situation we had in our country after nine hundred eighty nine the elite played a role there after nine hundred eighty nine we had the coup first they tried to overthrow gorbachev using political means but they failed because people supported gorbachev i always went to ask during the coups what if you were isolated what did you feel. i knew anything could happen it was not just a feeling i knew it. they tried to provoke us and get us to start shooting and then they would document that and have the right to shoot back and kill us. what were you afraid the most for your life your country. you. know for my family and of course i thought that it was not going to be just my family other people may suffer too i knew there would be bloodshed. especially if

you consider how big our country is it takes our country a while to start but when it does it is very hard to stop so my goal was to renew the country without bloodshed. when you started the perestroika could you imagine the scale of the changes to calm. i think i did but not completely it is dangerous to start a storm in our country if you lose control you may get into a lot of trouble to showbiz reforms basically failed reforms failed we realized from experience that it was dangerous to wait much longer that we had to take a risk but we couldn't we needed changes. what. you were saying that you didn't quite understand the scale of it all when did you finally get a clear realization that there was no return to the past. i

don't agree when people say that perestroika failed it didn't fail it was disrupted railed stopped but still perestroika achieved a lot inside russia we had democracy free elections freedom of conscience private property freedom to travel abroad everything. there was so much openness the entire country was affected people realized they had finally got some freedom an opportunity to act in foreign affairs we put an end to the cold war we normalized our relationship with the u.s. we reunited germany we didn't send our tanks our troops there all our units in eastern europe stayed where they were and i will put you through this i suppose. so let's talk about foreign policy twenty five years ago you started the process of disarmament between the soviet union and the united states today president obama and medvedev are making further steps to get rid of nuclear arsenals do you think

it will ever come to that world without nuclear weapons. what. we must to do it and i believe that sooner or later we will get there but to get there we have to put the world back in order first nuclear arsenals were significantly reduced thanks to our efforts during perestroika today when the world is so divided we need to find things that bring us together for instance the g. twenty is a step which brings us closer it's an instrument election ism for handling the hardest and most challenging issues but we need more than that it's a matter of learning to live in a global world. two years ago you were ninety scarse barack obama and that was during the elections before he became president and you said the united states needed its own perestroika and that obama seems to be the right man to carry it out has obama lead up to your expectations as a president. i think he's been doing

a good job so far by the way i met with him when he was in moscow i told him your approval rating is still high that's great but remember as soon as you get to some real big issues it'll drop you should be ready for that he said i understand that i think the fact that he got his health care bill approved is terrific but rich republicans don't like it i admire him because when things got hot for example when they had to get the new start treaty ratified he got involved personally he talks to people and about twelve senators changed sides and sided with the democrats and eventually the treaty was ratified i wish him good luck what would you say is the difference between twentieth century and twenty first century politicians that's what they do not depends on politicians we take as examples if we take hitler then every politician of the twentieth or the twenty first century is very different from him if we talk about the one nine hundred eighty s. it was a time when we saw a large group of politicians from asia america and europe join forces to stop the

nuclear arms race and begin disarmament with the ultimate goal of uniting the world i think we should give them credit for that it was a very interesting time because. some people consider you the number one politician of the twentieth century. always remember when you were number one there's a great responsibility that comes with that actually though you can't give a single politician credit for everything or there is always a group of people who realize the challenges of their time they understand what is going on in the world. what do you think has the potential to become a politician of the twenty first century. we'll have to wait and see no one you can name at this point. no i would not give the title to anyone for now they have to earn it no one praised also until we walked the talk today's politicians

are not even at the talking point yet but what matters is what they will do the steps they will take their policies we know from history that every time there was a new challenge a new leader would emerge sometimes they emerge too late after some damage was done we have to avoid that we have to act in time. to many people you played a major role in many important events the unification of germany the end of the cold war perestroika some people say that you were the one who brought down the soviet union he were awarded the nobel peace prize some say that you were at the last really a liberal of our time what do you think is your most important legacy. i think it is the fact that the world is no longer divided that it is mostly free from ideological antagonism this is perhaps the most important thing this creates conditions for further progress. people abroad love you and respect you

a lot while russian seven different opinions about what do you make of that fact that you are more appreciated abroad than in russia. i think it's normal after all i worked here in russia and many things started here it wasn't always easy many things did not work out the way we planned at the beginning when we made our first mistakes we didn't really explain to people what was going on and didn't get them involved in all those processes we were self-confident but in public politics i don't think we have ever lost a major battle with. what about what are your priorities in life. my priority is to help people realize that there are other people around them and conduct themselves accordingly in fact that's what religion teaches that you should help your neighbor and many people have this understanding they're willing to help others support them. so the most important thing is to remember about other people

and their problems are used for what eighty the whole world is celebrating your birthday at the end of march in london few people can say i made this world a better place but you can say that about yourself if your children grandchildren great grandchildren what do you lack. there were. there are a few things i didn't have time to do and i regret it. but i miss my wife who was my best friend and i lost her in this fierce battle it's hard you can't forget about things like that sometimes i look at people with a lot of money and they may have many wives many women but we were different we were very close to me and to be frank with you another thing i wish i had these days is good health well i wish you good health and many more happy birthday to you and thank you very much.

speaking to the republic. of russian defense production. heads to central russia. become an industry. the harsh winter make schools even more enjoyable. and where everyone can train to be just come. to the. show close up on oxy.

the full story smarty moscow of iraq as the u.k. considers military intervention in libya so unfair the ongoing violence in north africa could trigger another disastrous campaign russia as well as other foreign governments said that they're against movements involving the use of international military force. the us foreign policy has some americans questioning the country's ever changing political position which they say regularly sees in supporting the bad guys with major shifts in power impossible for the middle east some american. countries. the loss of the soviet union celebrates his eightieth birthday. the cancellation of state censorship and the promotion of free speech but some accuse him of paving the way for this to pay off to reform. full of me getting fifteen minutes time the sport now though.

hello and welcome to the sports news and here are our top stories staying alive denominator scope grab a vital win against the man i really get to stay in the k h l playoffs for more teams were also in action this wednesday evening. while losing starts brazil world cup winner roberto carlos taste defeat as r.j. loses in his in the russian cup. and just in time world number one rock pile of dung says he's fit to help spain in that davis cup opener against belgium. also first to ice hockey where regular season champions are going god who lost for want time to next day he make to trail three two in the first round of the playoffs the hosts fall behind after just two minutes when you go play golf if they can make in front and both sides netted in the second just to score twice in the final game

it should wrap up their victory taking three two lead in their best of seven series elsewhere metalized edged new voice you could ask for three and overtime to also take a three to me want to choose date the last game managed to survive in the playoffs thanks to try the three one victory over the nursery watching the rich bankers. it was going to bust pretty normal moscow's pay to come in namesake from riga three one down in the best of seven series only victory would suffice for a mix of the wrong side if they wanted to continue grant money for a good car income time told the story couldn't have been more different from aside from latvia two straight wins on home mind support them in command of the series however the visitors would have to waver in early storm the muscovites attack mccall tell grist marriage right from the all you know come out over in your gold medals all out of both trying to break the dead wrong however there was nothing particularly boring the swedish night mind of his opposite number michael garnett

was a virtual spectator. such was the home side's dominance however they were unable to find the net despite a couple of chances on the powerplay after not having a shot in the first period drama rega began to come out of shells in the second the warning signs were there for the home side as my garnett was forced into making a good save midway through the period and the ministers would take the lead twelve minutes the normal powerplay pick from blue line to sunday's also in sharjah was only half see by garnett and broke trotter was on hand to fire the puck past his fellow canadian top aside from a lap in capital on course for victory in the series however trussell would come of worst aware of the being on the receiving end of a punch before scoring going into the final period a goal down. could see that could go in cup hopes fading away over just three minutes in boxing bilko gave them a lifeline as his very shabby tell prescribe side to bring the home side level much to the lines of it fans who finally had something to shout about in just two

minutes later but most of us will take the lead roman did a york's risto travelling for a traffic shell taking a deflection of captain i think secret but i sure as hell take the puck pastel quist put our lives in our outside into a two one lead the home team had further chances to extend their advantage or maybe game same as the side from a lap in capital push in search of an equalizer and they would do just five seconds remaining with this empty netter to see the free one win and keep the series alive my the the i think we control the game i think we play most of the hearing there's always. that there's going to first go on a par with although they have a good bar of way and they use it for all this is where. we were with of course it wasn't as though they're and they're going to are going to have a chance in the first two back i know it wasn't for them to put it back but if i'm wrong however you know moscow still have some work to do they still feel the sign

from reagan free to. that's the second series i mean i've been seen combat plays in the semifinals would be true in game six on the first team bridge i'm boldly daunting. i would ring this football and that and also not looking to bounce back from the disappointment of last sunday's carling cup final defeat as they host third terrapins late nor into an f.a. cup fifth round replay the gunners will be without a dutch striker robin van persie is out for three weeks after picking up an injury while scoring in carving cup final captain says fabric gas is also out that could return for the champions league tie against barcelona next week yet despite the setbacks and you're asking us says there's still plenty to play for. we are. in the championship. there were no opportunities to qualify for your faith and your won the first big in the champions league a much higher targets than the carling cup in the last two we need. we all agree

abroad but we cannot let our motivation or the confidence to drop because of because of the massive targets we have introduced us. let me play as one of two fifth's and not just taking place this wednesday night at eastlands is also an australian league's right as much to sit in aston villa and the winner of the match will face reading in the quarterfinals of the championship side stunned premier league everton one will choose dynamite matt mills twenty six minute goal was enough to send the world into the sixth round while in the english premier league chelsea kept their title hopes alight and dented last united's after they came from behind to beat the leaders to want to stamford bridge wayne rooney has put united ahead of david luis levelled after the interval really shook off one cannot leave the home side with ten minutes to go plan particularly converted the money a bit was also sent off in stoppage time united on the list next sunday's game at liverpool united still lead also by four points they have to play the game more.

chelsea is up to forty. one here in russia well cup when our guys that call us didn't help his new side on a sheet victory made his debut in the second side's fifty two in the last sixteen of the russian cup they went tapestry two to hold is in it the game was moved to the chechen capital grozny from dr stone because of the condition of the stadium that expired taking the distracting form one in two goals from danny and bipolar as a bitch isn't it back in charge of the oldest one to win the three run offs last minute consolation china selectors mental next host a star in the quarter finals. now picking up a red card doesn't usually benefit a footballer but the back burns skipper ryan nelsen it came as a blessing as a new zealand used the ensuing one match ban to return home and support his family after they survived last month's devastating earthquake in christchurch the center back sent off during rovers four one defeat at aston villa on saturday so now some who also captains the national side return to his hometown where his father met him

at the airport at least one hundred sixty people were reported dead after the powerful earthquake hit the city on february the twenty second thankfully nelson's family were all on harmed the realisation has yet to dawn on him sure the images to see it doesn't seem real it seems surreal on t.v. you know it just so. it's unbelievable or not you know i just i just feel for everybody right to go through it some small somebody or a lost a business or something where you and. oh are we trying to do it i came to help out in any form. now if you are thinking about going to watch any of the games at next year's european championships in ukraine and poland this is your chance because for one month only you can make a direct purchase on your wife is official website giving every fan the chance of getting their hands on a ticket the first tickets went on sale on tuesday and you wait the president michel platini is a seventy warsaw to mark the event all those also ceremony in ukraine just under

one and a half million tickets will be made available for the tournament with around eighty five percent being sold through the u.a.e. for website with organizers believing many of the games will be oversubscribed. tennis now and thirteen time grand slam winner serina women's has undergone an emergency operation in los angeles the american is reported to have had surgery on monday after doctors found a blood clot on her lungs the younger sister will stay in hospital for further treatment the twenty nine year old has been out of action since claiming her fourth wimbledon title last july she cuts her right foot on some glass in a restaurant are celebrating that i had been operated on twice because of that injury we're suffering from and that is in the last week. on a happy night current men's world number one rough on the dollar is preparing to make his fully fledged come back from injury and the top ranked spaniard says he's fit for his country's davis cup clash with belgium this weekend but all picked up a minor injury in the australian open quarterfinals in january and has been on the

sidelines ever since but he now joins his spanish teammates as david ferrer fernando verdasco and for the theone i like both prepare for their davis cup opener away to belgium at the spirit and inshallah and fourteen former champions spain are overwhelming favorites to make the last eight however the return of your dog that will be a walkover for them. i'm fine i already. started the bike is a few weeks ago so i am happy to be back on competition by going on important competition like like babies god pressure is a is a motivation we work on on the. show. going to be difficult on foundation immensely as well as your. and funny too news of a small football tragedy as panama defend that loose moreno faces sanctions for delivering the apparently fatal kick to a mascot out during a league match in colombia that's the unsuspecting landing pitch east serve as

a mascot for a local team athletico junia port city a spot in korea but it got in the way of the board and then deportivo put out his mother in a kick the bird off the pitch it was later diagnosed with a leg fracture then went into shock and died two days later graner did apologize for his actions but he could still be suspended or fined. and that's all sports but they'll be more in just under two hours the hope you join again. hungry for the full stop we've got. the biggest issues get a human voice face to face with the news makers.

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tonight on r t cool of iraq goes the u.k. considers libya some fear the ongoing violence in north africa could trigger another disastrous campaign. us foreign policy has some americans questioning the country's ever changing political position which they say regularly sees them supporting the bad guy and. person bumpier in the revolutionary road as the last leader of the soviet union today to your team takes a look at the country's democratic transition and why some. are bringing destruction along with it. even from the russian capital you're watching we are two news channels now nine pm here in moscow my name is kevin owen and our top story the opposition in libya

claims to have fought off an attack by colonel gadhafi forces in the eastern orange town of brega reports say fourteen people have been killed in the fighting meanwhile the u.n. has warned of the unfolding humanitarian crisis only to museum border where thousands have been fleeing the violence in libya artie's paula slater is in tunis with more. so far moving seventy five thousand people have fled shit she tunis from neighboring libya the situation on the border is chaotic its border guards the struggle to keep calm in his latest trip to the libyan people need a moment it just indicates to me we could intervene in this country if it should the united states or any other fine power trying to intervene thousands of libyans would die if it quote him that he was willing to fight if we lost man and if we lost women actual in his country he also said that he was not the president and therefore he could not sign he could not dissolve parliament and he could not meet the constitution.