Gorbachev: Gadhafi risks being run out of Libya
By Paula Newton, CNN
February 21, 2011 -- Updated 1425 GMT (2225 HKT)
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has condemned the Libyan regime for
brutally repressing its own people.
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has condemned the Libyan regime for
brutally repressing its own people.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Gadhafi is "using the military ... against defenseless people," Mikhail
Gorbachev says
* Europe, U.S. need to "respond to this situation very responsibly," he says
* Former Soviet leader also has harsh criticism for Dmitry Medvedev and
Vladimir Putin
* The Russian leaders are to blame for Russia's "fake" democratic
institutions, he says
Moscow (CNN) -- Former Soviet leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mikhail
Gorbachev is warning that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi could be chased out of
his own country if he does not begin to bend to the will of the people.
"Gadhafi reacted so ruthlessly that he might end up being forced out (of his
country). I don't want to make predictions or anything, but he's shooting at
people; he is using the military and weapons against defenseless people,"
Gorbachev said.
In a wide-ranging news conference to announce nominees for his new Gorbachev
Awards for "world changers," Gorbachev weighed in on protests rattling the
Middle East and criticized the Libyan regime for brutally repressing its own
people.
"People are trying to get of out poverty, and they've got nothing to lose. I
think it's now very important that Europe and the United States respond to this
situation very responsibly," he said.
Gadhafi reacted so ruthlessly that he might end up being forced out.
The former Soviet leader had blunt criticism for leaders in his own country as
well.
Gorbachev blamed both President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin for the state of Russian democracy, calling its institutions "fake." He
added that both are showing incredible arrogance and disrespect for voters when
suggesting that they would discuss between the two of them who should run for
president in 2012.
Gorbachev has been ever more outspoken in recent weeks in criticizing Russian
leaders, saying he sees the country becoming increasingly entrenched in a
dangerous, authoritarian system.
In an interview with a Russian newspaper he co-owns, Gorbachev said he was
trying to start a new political party but has been blocked by the Kremlin. He
claims Kremlin bosses refuse to officially register and recognize his new
social democratic party. Gorbachev says Russia is in need of a democratic
revival.
Many Russians are ambivalent toward Gorbachev and his legacy. While many
concede he brought real change to their lives with greater freedoms under
Perestroika and with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many also blame him
for hardships that came afterward.
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