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If revolutions had not occurred, USSR and the Soviet bloc would still be around - Paul Goble | Eurasia Diary - ednews.net
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If revolutions had not occurred, USSR and the Soviet bloc would still be around - Paul Goble
25.11.2019 12:00 Interviews A- A A+
1989 is the most important year in the history of Eastern Europe that totalitarian communist regimes in this geography had dictated their own people and confiscated their all rights and freedoms for long-term were overthrown by revolutions. Revolutions made the countries of Eastern Europe to transform themselves from authoritarianism to democracy and accept modernization. There is interesting case that the Soviet Union could not intervene to suppress revolutionary processes in these countries, such as 1956 Hungarian riot, 1968 Prague Spring.
Eurasia Diary would like to highlight this through interview from Paul Goble, former special advisor to US State Department and political analyst about revolutions happened in Eastern Europe during 1989.
- Thirty years passed after 1989 revolutions in Eastern Europe. Numerous political experts made different opinions and considerations regarding these revolutions. What is opinion about it?
-The revolutions across Eastern Europe transformed the world, ultimately opening the way for many of these countries to return to Europe and setting the stage for the demise of the USSR. If they had not occurred, the USSR and the Soviet bloc would still be around or would have disintegrated in a much more violent, possibly apocalyptic way. And that is alternative to all the freedoms that these peoples have gained.
- From your viewpoint, could we consider that the establishment of CSCE and the eradication of Brejnev doctrine by Gorbachev administration as stimulus to invigorate mass demonstrations and reforms in Eastern Europe?
-When it became clear that Moscow would not prop up the regimes in Eastern Europe, their fate was sealed. These were regimes imposed by Moscow, not created by the peoples of these countries. As soon as Moscow ended its unqualified support, they could not survive.
- Did civil and political activist groups in Western Europe influence activist groups in Eastern Europe to confront long-term violence of totalitarian communist governments?
- The West both governmental and civic promoted these changes with broadcasts and exchanges. Over the long term, these played an essential role, but they were not the underground conspiratorial actions that some Russian commentators are suggesting now.
- What positive consequences at present time we could see in Eastern Europe after 1989 revolutions?
- These countries have acquired the right and power to adjust their own mistakes. Many have moved in positive ways; others have slid back in less positive ones. There is more democracy, more freedom, and a better life for millions.
By Yunis Abdullayev


It is an exciting year for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as we celebrate our 25th anniversary on July 31. Since 1992, the Foundation has been committed to the vision of our founder, Dave Thomas: to ensure every child has a permanent and loving family. Our mission has never wavered. Each day we work to dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care. We believe that family is the birthright of every child and that every child is adoptable.
In 25 years, we've reached some remarkable milestones. We were one of the co-founders of National Adoption Day, a grassroots collaborative that is now embedded in all 50 states and D.C.; significantly expanded our Adoption-Friendly Workplace campaign, encouraging adoption benefits in the workplace; and launched aggressive messaging to dispel myths and misperceptions while elevating success stories through social and traditional media.
In 2004, we initiated our signature program, Wendy's Wonderful Kids, providing grants to adoption agencies to hire specially-trained adoption recruiters. These professionals focus solely on finding permanent, loving families for the children most at risk of aging out of foster care – older youth, children in sibling groups, children with challenges and youth who have simply given up hope. Today, the Foundation supports more than 270 recruiters across North America and more than 7,000 children have been adopted or are in pre-adoptive placements. Children like Dawson and Dalton (pictured here), who might have been separated and lingering in the foster care system due to their age and Dalton's special needs, will now grow up together in a family, because of Wendy's Wonderful Kids.
However, our work is far from done. Each year, more than 20,000 youth age out of foster care in the United States without the love and support of the family that they deserve. So we have our eyes on the future with lofty goals. On January 1st, we launched an aggressive expansion of Wendy's Wonderful Kids that over the next 12 years scales the program in every state, driving toward permanent, adoptive homes for 60,000 children. We want you alongside for this exciting ride. There is so much work to be done, but these children deserve our best efforts, and that is exactly what they will get.
I'd like to thank those who have supported the Foundation in the past 25 years, and those who have just joined us on the journey. We wouldn't be able to embrace our future with such confidence without the unwavering support of those who are as committed to our mission as we are. On behalf of each and every child waiting for a family and a home, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.