European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 11, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stabs and stripes David Remnick no one under est Mafes Ordinary Gorbachev the world has grown accustomed to the sur Prises Ilic unilateral legerdemain that always seem to come popping out of Mikhail Gorbachev s Trilby. But where was the magic on his trip last week to Havana and London has the Sovil Leader As some British newspapers suggested saturday run out of new ideas the press was not alone in is Anlie nations. British prime minister Margaret thatchers response to Gorbachev at the Guildhall Friday was a strange and awkward  stepped to the lectern and answered the far reaching speech she had been expecting which was not the one Gorbachev had Given Reading from a prompter she called Gorbachev s speech remarkable and fascinating when it was anything but in Havana lob. Gorbachev broke no new ground. At times the bombast and wit of Fidel  Gorbachev appear the shy sidekick the Leader of a Small Island country. Castro s 45-Tninule introduction to his guest s speech was such a developed soaring performance that Gorbachev could be seen rather for Lorn checking his watch. When journalists  dismay of the British and . Governments asked Why in Lon Don gorbachev1 provided none of the drama or his speech at the United millions in december foreign ministry spokesman Gennadi Gerasimov smiled and spoke the truth you be become too  the Western nations May have every reason to expect initiatives from Moscow Gorbachev and his spokesmen appeared to be saying but they cannot expect surprises every week. It May be that it is amidst impossible to absorb All the extraordinary shifts that have already taken place in the soviet Union since Gorbachev s Rise to Power in March. 198i the withdrawal from Afghanistan the string of .-soviet summits the intermediate Range missile treaty the unilateral Cut of 500,000 soviet troops inc Multi candidate elections and the painful reassessments of history Industry and marxism itself. Gorbachev has certainly not run out of ideas or initiatives. Despite the expectations in London the truth is the soviet Union has already set out the Ossun. Liau of its foreign policy. And according id soviet sources Gorbachev is looking for response from the Lush administration from Bonn from nato As a whole before he resumes issuing surprises. Crini mov Wrid All week that the main Point of the meetings with Thatcher was a co urination of our. Political  a painful cliche of diplomacy car lain la. But. Considering the troubled history of the so Michael Putzel Viet Union s relations with the West since the end of world War ii the very fact that there arc now regular productive and reasonable talks Between the Kremlin and All is nato rivals is no mean accomplishment even if it docs look a bit Dull in the daily newspapers. From a soviet Point of View Trie most painful part of reforms in the coming months and years will not have much to do with the West. After the March 26 elections Gorbachev appears to have reduced further the parly s internal conservative opposition to Radical Reform. But it docs not necessarily follow that the same people who voted put the party Hacks will All cooperate quickly and efficiently for re form. Voting is liberating and in a sense easy. Chang ing one s life and work is far More of Fllch. All these factors amount to the enormous Burden of the soviet leadership. The problems and inc emphases Are always shifting bul inc weigh of the Burden itself never seems to get any lighter. Even if Gorbachev appeared uncharacteristically Ordinary in London and Havana his hosts knew Well enough not to underestimate either him or inc distance he has already come. Even Castro knew to prepare for something differ ent from the soviet leaders he was used id. Even i who  ," said  Leader combed  and fixed myself   Gorbachev was a big hit during London visit Mikhail s. Gorbachev looked More at Home in the splendor of London s ancient Guildhall than in Shirl Ilc Eves in Cuba during his six Day trip abroad. The soviet presidents gains if any. From private talks we a cuban president Fidel Castro in Havana a not be apparent for sometime but he reaped Posi Tive news during his later Slop in London. Gorbachev got a ringing endorsement from Britain staunchly  minister and a prom ise of a visit from Queen Elizabeth ii. She will be the firm Liritis Monarch to visit Russia since the communists killed car Nicholas ii and his family who were cousins of the Queen s forebears. Hut . Officials said they were disappointed hat Gorbachev visit to Cuba produced no signal inc so urls were prepared to disengage from Central Ameri Ca where the superpowers Are pitted against each other by proxy. Gorbachev and Castro stressed Solidarity though Cuba has shown no incline i Ion att3 re liberalization policies being adopted in Moscow Beijing and much of Eastern Europe but Gorbachev Ubo has shown More interest in wooing Western Banks and business than in propping up third world revolutionaries made no move to ease Cuba s huge debt Burden. Analysis had speculated some measure " of debt forgiveness might be. Forthcoming As a Good will gesture during inc soviet president s . Instead. Gorbachev said the cuban government should be More careful in spending Sovil Aid. "a1, in the past the soviet Union and Cuba have a common approach to the key problems of International  Gorbachev told the cuban National Assem Bly we Are resolutely Agai Slany theories and Doc tones justifying inc whorl of revolution or counterrevolution and All forms of interference in the affairs of Sovereign  while House spokesman Martin Fitzwater said he Wal corned the statement but said it was not supported by action. The Bush administration which  to end military Aid to the Contra rebels in soviet backed Nicaragua had hoped for a clearer signal that the soviet government would reduce arms ship ments to the sandinista regime he said. But seasoned observe is in Havana said even if Iha was Gorbachev s intention he would not have said so in Cuba Nicaragua s strongest ally. Soviet foreign ministry spokesman Gennady t. Gerasimov said people have come to expect Loo much from the soviet Leader it s the Rabbit from Lac hat approach Gerasimov said. With other politicians. Of Don t Espiet so much but when Gorbachev Speaks you expect him to pull out a Rabbit every  but after leaving Cuba a Gorbachev aide hinted hat inc soviet communist Pany chief May try to me Diate the Long running feud Between Cuba and the United slates. Although Castro s Public remarks were peppered with Ami american slogans Corgi Shak Nazarov a foreign policy adviser to Gorbachev said the cuban Leader indicated privately be wants to normalize relations with inc United Stales. Asked if Gorbachev could bring the two neighbors Back together Shak Nazarov said the general Secre tary tries nol to miss any Opportunity to encourage belter relations. In London the soviet Leader addressed magnificent to Robed British luminaries in Guildhall he then received from prime minister Margaret Thatcher the endorsement he has sought from the West since launching his modernization Campaign four years ago speaking at Guildhall Gorbachev summarized his goals for an International television audience we afe building an open Denio Ralic arid free so  has Learned the lesions of its past a society based on Law and responsibility a society Hal keeps its citizens Well informed Gorbachev said. We Are building a society that rests on its citizens initiative and Enterprise on soviet socialist patriotism and dedication to human socialism aimed at elevating the human  Thatcher called him one of those rare people who has inc vision the boldness and the sheer Power of personality to change inc whole future of his country and to have a profound effect on the wider world As  we want you to succeed in your task she told Gorbachev. First by cause we believe that in your vision lies a better life for the soviet people but also because every step toward greater democracy human rights and Freedom of Choice in your country brings us closer  and she pledged we re ready to help in practical ways too where our help is sought and  Una ii Puu Lii chief  a Xxiii Prisi