I've just come from a meeting of the Presidential Council, Mikhail Gorbachev said. We were discussing radical measures for the reform of our economy. At this point we need only a short period of time, a few months, to take some important steps that, in essence, will mean the transition to a regulated market economy...
Over these 2.5 years, relations between our two countries have changed in a fundamental way. A mutual understanding has emerged that the cold war should become a thing of the past. And a great deal has been done to make that really happen. We have started to build a relationship on a new basis. We're agreed that the disputes between us can be resolved and, furthermore, that those disputes are less significant than the new challenges that confront mankind. These challenges can only be met by joint effort through dialogue and cooperation. As a result, a process of actually reducing nuclear and conventional arms has become possible and is now under way. Regional conflicts have become a subject on which we can work constructively together...
I look forward to our important talks with President George Bush; a lot will depend on their results in determining how things will work out not only between you Americans and us, but also on a larger scale...
Mr. President, just over a year ago I said that the United States wanted to move beyond containment in its relations with the Soviet Union, toward a new era, an era of enduring cooperation...
These agreements are a continuation of all that began in Malta just six months ago - a foundation we can build on. Proof that differences can be resolved even while others remain. And let me assure President Gorbachev whatever deep differences divided us in the past, the United States and the American people approach every issue with a sincere belief that our two nations can find common ground. Indeed, because of our unique positions in the world, we must find common ground...
Each nation is strong because of its talents and best minds. And any nation perishes or, at any rate, falls gravely ill if such talents do not have an opportunity to flourish in a society where something is taking place which is of great concern to all, and where there is no opportunity to express this concern...
"First. I keep thinking whether there are ample grounds to classify the current meeting as an important and positive event which may yield acceptable results. If this is so, then the passage of these results through the Senate and the House, as well as through the Supreme Soviet, will be easier. Though this would, of course, be a unique development. But the feeling is that there is a basis for signing a joint statement on the fundamental provisions for a future treaty on a 50 percent reduction of strategic arms."...
Mr. President, you and I set a course six months ago off the island nation of Malta. And at that time we agreed on an agenda, much of which was completed for this week's summit. Of course our Malta agenda remains unfinished, but we've made great progress in the last six months and in the last two days...
The second full day of negotiations has come to an end. However, I would not like to do a summing-up. This meeting is a major stage, but still only one stage in the tremendous future-orientated restructuring of Soviet-American relations...
Mikhail Gorbachev: You've put your questions very aptly. Perhaps you've heard and grasped my views on the subject...
Mikhail Gorbachev: I would call what took place at Camp David a great day which in its results and in what was discussed there most substantially and comprehensively matches what has been achieved on previous days and what has become a reality or found expression in the agreements signed...
Presidents Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush spoke to reporters upon the completion of their talks at Camp David, Maryland...
George Bush: Well, when President Gorbachev and I were in Malta, we agreed that we would try to build a fundamentally different U.S.-Soviet relationship: one that would move beyond containment to an era of enduring cooperation. At the time, no one knew the momentous events that would unfold around the world. And our task is, if anything, more urgent and the case for a new U.S.-Soviet relationship more compelling, because the opportunities before us are so great...
I must say that during the talks with President Bush and in the course of the unofficial exchanges at Camp David, as well as in numerous contacts with Americans over these past few days, we had many serious discussions about economic issues...
I think those who work or study at your university should be happy for two reasons: this university is located in California, which is a special place even by international standards. I am not saying this to please the Governor, who is present here with his wife. I think I am simply stating the truth...
People who are doing a great deal for this country and for its people are present in this hall. But I am not going to make assessments, let the Americans themselves give you "marks for behavior" and for your contribution. On my part, this would have been outside my jurisdiction. But in this audience there are people who, together with your country's politicians, have done a great deal in the past few years to improve our relations. And these days, when these changes for the better are really taking place, I would like to do justice to the members of the business community of the United States of America for their contribution to the normalization and improvement of relations between our countries. Thank you...