Gennadi Gerasimov | |
---|---|
Геннадий Герасимов | |
Russian Ambassador to Portugal | |
In office 1990–1995 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Gennadi Ivanovich Gerasimov 3 March 1930 Yelabuga, Tatar ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Tatarstan, Russia) |
Died | 14 September 2010 Moscow, Russia | (aged 80)
Gennadi (or Gennady) Ivanovich Gerasimov ( Russian: Геннадий Иванович Герасимов; 3 March 1930 – 14 September 2010 [1]) was the last Soviet, and then Russian ambassador to Portugal from 1990 to 1995. Previously he was foreign affairs spokesman for Mikhail Gorbachev and press secretary to Eduard Shevardnadze. [2]
He is noted for coining the expression " Sinatra Doctrine" in reference to Gorbachev's non-intervention policy with respect to other members of the Warsaw Pact. [3] When asked, during Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to Prague in 1987, what the difference was between the Prague Spring and perestroika, Gerasimov replied: "nineteen years". [4]
He was recognized in 1990 as Communicator of the Year by the (American) National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). [5]
He is mentioned in the Billy Bragg song "Moving the Goalposts".