Gorby calls for new environmental 'glasnost'

Former president of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev called for a new “glasnost” - openness – on the environment today.

Mr Gorbachev also said during his appearance at Holland Park School in Kensington in England that the Russian people were still feeling the effects of the quick fix from poverty promised by Boris Yeltsin.

Speaking through a translator, Mr Gorbachev, aged 73, said: “The US, with 5% of the world’s population, consumes 25% of the world’s energy. If this is implemented globally, where do we get the energy?

“We need to change the paradigm of our development, we have to look for a new model. If we don’t, we will cut the roots that make it possible for mankind to live.”

Answering a question from Russian-born year 13 student Anastasia Zabinskaya, on the potential results of “perestroika” (restructuring), Mr Gorbachev said that his plan for Russian wealth would have taken 20 to 30 years to attain.

He attacked Mr Yeltsin’s pledges for immediate prosperity as political posturing.

He said: “They (the Russian people) believed the promise of a quick fix and they felt that if Gorbachev was not delivering on a better life quickly let’s support Yeltsin.

“The result was the disintegration of the country, shock therapy in the army and chaos. We are still feeling the consequences of this.”

He spoke to around 100 selected students for almost an hour. He told them about his first foray into politics at his secondary school.

Following his campaign speech to become the Secretary of the Youth Organisation another candidate for the post pulled away his chair causing him to stumble.

“My conclusion is don’t be afraid to fall and if you do fall, rise to your feet,” he said.

Headteacher Colin Hall said: “To be taught history by someone who shaped history was a unique experience.”

“Mr Gorbachev visited the school, founded in 1958, as part of the launch of the WMD Awareness Programme.