Vsevolod Shishkovsky, Soviet TV
You were among the first European leaders who responded to the tragedy in Armenia. Our television viewers are aware of the British humanitarian aid and we are very grateful to the people of Great Britain. This tragedy shows once again the interdependence of the world, a subject which Mr Gorbachev has been referring to more than once recently. What are your views on that?
Prime Minister
As soon as we heard of the terrible tragedy, we were anxious to do what we could to help. I heard about it very early in the morning, the same time as I heard that Mr Gorbachev could not come. [end p1]
We were deeply sad that he is not able to be with us, understood perfectly the reason and that we must spring into action ourselves because when you have something, such a terrible tragedy as that, you need help from all over the world.
And so we did, as you know, we tried to act in response to whatever you needed and plane-loads of things have been going every day, whether it be with people who are specialists to help, either with operations or to find people beneath that terrible rubble, warm clothing, warm blankets, medical supplies, anything that we can possibly do and I think the latest thing are the kidney dialysis machines.
It is quite in keeping with British tradition that where there is trouble we naturally wish to help. It was done with things like the Mexico earthquake, it was done with things like the Ethiopian famine, done with things like the Jamaica hurricane.
But this is tragedy on a very big scale. I agree with Mr Gorbachev. All the barriers fall down when humanity is in need and distressed and I think that it was a very good example that there is something which binds us all together, deeper than the things which divide. [end p2]
Vsevolod Shishkovsky, Soviet TV
May I ask you to speak about your vision of the world in light of Mr Gorbachev's recent speech to the United Nations?
Prime Minister
I was very interested in Mr Gorbachev's speech, it seemed to me to go further than any others of his had gone although those were, as you know, very fundamental and of course what he had to say about reductions in conventional arms was very welcome indeed.
It was also the other parts of the speech that I found interesting. When he said, for example, that freedom of choice is mandatory, that is an enormous step forward. When he indicated that fundamental human rights have to be backed up by an impartial rule of law, that also is quite fundamental and it seemed to me to signal a very big change which I do most earnestly hope that the people of the Soviet Union will implement.
You know you can have marvellous Generals in politics but you have really got to have the support of the people to bring in the changes which you know have to be made and those of us who hold responsibility at the top of politics believe we hold our power as a trust for the people. Our power is a trust to do our very best for them in accordance with their expressed wishes but also to give a lead, as I think Mr Gorbachev has. [end p3]
I think he knows that people in the Soviet Union will naturally want the highest standard of living. They cannot therefore have so much going on armaments, they want it to come on consumer goods. That is quite a big change and it needs bold action and persistent action and a lot of people having faith in it and being prepared to do what is necessary to bring about that higher standard of living.
It has been, as you know, very much part of my political belief that whatever the differences across the European divide, we should always try to extend the hand of friendship across it and that is what we are doing.
Vsevolod Shishkovsky, Soviet TV
Maybe you would like to use this opportunity to say something to the Soviet people on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year?
Prime Minister
May I? We are all having Christmas celebrations here, although as you know ours have been hindered because we have had our own very tragic railway accident which has left thirty-six people dead and a lot of people injured and we have had the same response for help. [end p4]
It is the season when we think of values beyond the immediate ones. It is the season when the message is peace on earth, goodwill towards men. It is in that spirit that I give my warmest good wishes to the Soviet people for a happy Christmas and a good New Year and remember the Christmas message: peace on earth, goodwill towards men.