Gorbachev commemorates 20 years since perestroika

Both the United States and Russia emerged victorious with the end of the Cold War, says former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Both the United States and Russia emerged victorious with the end of the Cold War, says former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. "I would not be making a mistake to say that perestroika won. It succeeded," he said Friday night during a celebration of the 20th anniversary of governmental reforms that ultimately ended the hostilities between the two nations. Gorbachev also reflected on the current state of world affairs, noting the role of the United States as the sole superpower. "America has a right to be a leader," Gorbachev said. But he added, "this leadership should be realized through partnership, not domination." Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Colin Powell were among about 200 guests who attended what Gorbachev described as a "meeting of old friends."