|
A President Who Listened(一个愿意听取别人意见的总统,克林顿在竞选时候曾说,I want to be a president who listen)
By MIKHAIL GORBACHEV
MOSCOW — I have just sent to Nancy Reagan a letter of condolence for the passing (仙逝)of Ronald Reagan. The 40th president of the United States was an extraordinary man who in his long life saw moments of triumph, who had his ups and downs and experienced the happiness of true love.(经历跌宕,感受真爱)
It so happened that his second term as president coincided with the emergence of a new Soviet leadership — a coincidence that may seem accidental but that was in effect a prologue to momentous events in world history.
Ronald Reagan's first term as president had been dedicated to (致力于)restoring America's self-confidence. He appealed to the traditions and optimism of the people, to the American dream, and he regarded as(regard as好词)his main task strengthening the economy and the military might of the United States. This was accompanied by confrontational rhetoric toward the Soviet Union, and more than rhetoric — by a number of actions that caused concern both in our country and among many people throughout the world. It seemed that the most important thing about Reagan was his reputation as a hawk who saw the Soviet Union as an "evil empire."
Yet(用来转折)his second term as president emphasized a different set of goals. I think he understood that it is the peacemakers, above all(首先,最重要的), who earn a place in history. This was consistent with his convictions based on experience, intuition and love of life(基于经历、直觉和对生活之爱) In this he was supported by Nancy — his wife and friend, whose role will, I am sure, be duly appreciated. The dialogue that President Reagan and I started was difficult. To reach agreement, particularly on arms control and security, we had to overcome mistrust and the barriers of numerous problems and prejudices. |