If revolutions had not occurred, USSR and the Soviet bloc would still be around Paul Goble

Interviews 12:00 25.11.2019

1989 is the most important year in the history of Eastern Europe that totalitarian communist regimes in this geography  had dictated their own people and confiscated their all rights and freedoms for long-term were overthrown by revolutions. Revolutions made the countries of Eastern Europe to transform themselves from authoritarianism to democracy and accept modernization. There is interesting case that the Soviet Union could not intervene to suppress revolutionary processes in these countries, such as 1956 Hungarian riot, 1968 Prague Spring. 

Eurasia Diary would like to highlight this through interview from Paul Goble, former special advisor to US State Department and political analyst about revolutions happened in Eastern Europe during 1989.

- Thirty years passed after 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe. Numerous political experts made different opinions and considerations regarding these revolutions. What is opinion about it?

-The revolutions across Eastern Europe transformed the world, ultimately opening the way for many of these countries to return to Europe and setting the stage for the demise of the USSR. If   they had not occurred, the USSR and the Soviet bloc would still be around or would have disintegrated in a much more violent, possibly apocalyptic way.  And that is alternative to all the freedoms that these peoples have gained.

- From your viewpoint, could we consider that the establishment of CSCE and the eradication of Brejnev doctrine by Gorbachev administration as stimulus to invigorate mass demonstrations and reforms in Eastern Europe?

-When it became clear that Moscow would not prop up the regimes in Eastern Europe, their fate was sealed. These were regimes imposed by Moscow, not created by the peoples of these countries. As soon as Moscow ended its unqualified support, they could not survive.

- Did civil and political activist groups in Western Europe influence activist groups in Eastern Europe to confront long-term violence of totalitarian communist governments?

- The West both governmental and civic promoted these changes with broadcasts and exchanges. Over the long term, these played an essential role, but they were not the underground conspiratorial actions that some Russian commentators are suggesting now.

- What positive consequences at present time we could see in Eastern Europe after 1989 revolutions?

- These countries have acquired the right and power to adjust their own mistakes. Many have moved in positive ways; others have slid back in less positive ones. There is more democracy, more freedom, and a better life for millions.

 

By Yunis Abdullayev

Azerbaijan takes measures to turn Khankandi into safe city - VİDEO

News line

Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
15:55 28.03.2024
Türkiye plays an important role between Russia and Ukraine - says political scientist Ismail Cingoz
15:45 28.03.2024
2 schoolchildren detained in France on suspicion of sending bomb threats
15:35 28.03.2024
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
15:26 28.03.2024
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
15:15 28.03.2024
Media: US did not transfer all information about terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall to Russia
15:00 28.03.2024
Movement ‘Together’ calls on Armenia’s parliamentary forces to express vote of no confidence in Pashinyan
14:41 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
14:32 28.03.2024
Le Pen accuses French government of fraud
14:22 28.03.2024
Armenian Government Grapples with Internal Division on Village Return Issue - Ishkhan Verdiyan talks on Ednews
14:12 28.03.2024
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
13:41 28.03.2024
Expert Ilyas Huseynov Predicts Peaceful Return of these territories to Azerbaijan
13:20 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
12:55 28.03.2024
Russian MFA concerned about upcoming Armenia-US-EU meeting
12:23 28.03.2024
Secret Points of Pashinyan's Meeting with French Representative: Is Peace Agreement Signing Imminent?
12:00 28.03.2024
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
11:47 28.03.2024
The US-Armenia-EU Joint Conference is a part of the pressure plan on Azerbaijan - MP Konul Nurullayeva
11:30 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
11:23 28.03.2024
CSTO chief: ‘Yerevan doesn’t participate in our work, but there are no statements about suspension’
11:13 28.03.2024
Ammunition found in Khankandi
Ammunition found in Khankandi
11:00 28.03.2024
Russia had been aware of preparation for terrorist attack at Crocus - says intelligience chief
10:46 28.03.2024
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
10:33 28.03.2024
Head of the SSS: France is inciting Armenia to a new war
10:21 28.03.2024
Are we in the brink of World War III? - Pundit talks on Ednews
10:10 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan's National Security: Reflecting on 105 Years of Defending Sovereignty
09:55 28.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev: Rasmussen fell in forgetfulness to attach payment to his report
09:35 28.03.2024
Hand grenades found in Kalbajar
09:25 28.03.2024
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for $718,750
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for $718,750
08:50 28.03.2024
Twitch's biggest streamer diagnosed with cancer diagnosis at 32
23:55 27.03.2024
Azerbaijan's former Minister of National Security passes away
22:41 27.03.2024
Russia has no unfriendly states, only unfriendly elites — Putin
22:25 27.03.2024
Erdogan vows to make efforts for implementation of UN resolution regarding Gaza
Erdogan vows to make efforts for implementation of UN resolution regarding Gaza
21:44 27.03.2024
Russian MFA: France's presence in the Caucasus is of an intelligence nature
21:00 27.03.2024
Record numbers of migrants arrive in UK in 2024
20:42 27.03.2024
Leo Docherty appointed new UK Minister of State for Armed Forces
Leo Docherty appointed new UK Minister of State for Armed Forces
19:34 27.03.2024
MFA: ‘We reject anti-Azerbaijani allegations in the report prepared by Friends of Armenia Network’
19:00 27.03.2024
Armenian Speaker: We are looking for people who consider those villages to be Armenian territory
18:42 27.03.2024
France evacuates over 170 nationals from Haiti
France evacuates over 170 nationals from Haiti
18:19 27.03.2024
Iran's Concerns Over Enclave Villages Return Highlight Geopolitical Complexities - Iranian political scientest talks on Ednews
18:00 27.03.2024
New details of the Crocus terrorist attack have been revealed - two suspects transited through Türkiye
17:33 27.03.2024
Hamısı