Gorbachev Remembers On a Visit to New Jersey

Gorbachev Remembers is a special one-hour broadcast on former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev’s two-day visit to New Jersey hosted by NJN News anchor Kent Manahan. This year marks the 20th anniversary of his presidency and the early days of glasnost and perestroika as well as the 20th anniversary of the Trenton-Moscow sister city relationship.

Best known for his role in freeing Eastern Europe from Communist rule and bringing an end to the Cold War, Gorbachev received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. The program includes excerpts from his April 18 press conference with Acting Governor Richard J. Codey during which they discuss the economic impact of Russia and New Jersey as trading partners.

Highlighted in the program are excerpts from Gorbachev’s April 19 address at Seton Hall University in front of a packed audience of students and business, political and community leaders as part of the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy World Leaders Forum. The former Soviet chief spoke about the need for the United States and Russia to work together to further democracy, while respecting the cultures and religions of the world. Gorbachev decries pre-emptive policies, military occupation and policing of the world and supports a humanitarian approach to spreading democracy.

Gorbachev Remembers looks at Gorbachev's views on what he calls the "New World Order" of humaneness, the growing gap between the rich and poor of the world, and the future of communism in China. An interview with Ambassador Clay Constantinou, Dean of the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy, includes his perspective on this visionary leader.

Airs Thursday, May 5 at 10 pm and Sunday, May 8 at 11:30 am.