Eduard Shevardnadze: 'New Thinking as a Principal Export'.

摘要

Eduard Shevardnadze undoubtedly underwent an intense period of self- reflection in the aftermath of Mikhail Gorbachev's phone call on June 30, 1983. During their 30-year association, Gorbachev certainly recognized that Shevardnadze was like-minded in political thinking and ideology and could serve as a formidable ally in Moscow. But why would the new General Secretary call on a non-Russian with virtually no experience in foreign affairs to serve as Foreign Minister and succeed the renowned veteran statesman Andrey Gromyko. Although there may have been ancillary reasons, Gorbachev unquestionably viewed Shevardnadze as a man of unwavering conviction, with the requisite moral and intellectual courage to play a pivotal role in reshaping Soviet grand strategy for the betterment of the Soviet people. As Foreign Minister, Shevardnadze transformed Soviet foreign policy and diplomacy and made an indelible imprint on global politics. Notably, however, his 5 1/2 years of service did not yield the outcome he envisioned. Given the opportunity to rewrite history, Shevardnadze would surely describe a current world in which the Soviet Union remained a prominent power, received international acclaim for implementing sweeping reforms in consonance with 'new thinking,' and was acknowledged for establishing Soviet socialism as the global model for preserving peace, security, and economic well-being. Although obviously never achieved, these goals embodied Shevardnadze's vision for the Soviet Union and remained at the forefront of his thinking throughout his tenure as Foreign Minister.