You are correct - Gorbachev was the boss since 1985, when he became GenSec of the CPSU. He became the head of the government in '88 (apparently the next step in consolidating his power), but as the party boss, he was the main honcho starting in '85. In fact, I remember reports of him meeting Thatcher in '85, already in his top dog capacity, and she liked him.
I don't quite grasp why you think that the U.S. should have embraced Gorby from the start, along with the obviously "empire building" war in Afghanistan. It would have been impossible, after many decades of Cold War, after several proxy wars, being ideological and political enemies, and potential enemies in a ever possible nuclear war. There was no reason for such sudden acceptance. Gorby was still a committed Commy, albeit with a "more" human face.
Even after the soviet system was finally retired, up until today, there is still no trust. |
