The dialogue that President Reagan and I started was difficult. To reach agreement, particularly on arms control and security, we had to overcome mistrust and the barriers of numerous problems and prejudices. I don't know whether we would have been able to agree and to insist on the implementation of our agreements with a different person at the helm of American government. True, Reagan was a man of the right. But, while adhering to his convictions, with which one could agree or disagree, he was not dogmatic; he was looking for negotiations and cooperation. And this was the most important thing to me: he had the trust of the American people.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Reagan's successor notes difficulty in negotiations with Reagan but praises his trust and lack of dogmatism.
- In plain terms
- Negotiating with Reagan was hard but possible because he trusted people.
- What can you take from it?
- Trust and flexibility enable successful international agreements.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes diplomacy successful?
- How does personality affect policy?
Another view
Trust does not always guarantee agreement on all issues.
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