ABC NEWS NIGHTLINE: THE SUMMIT: MIKHAIL
GORBACHEV'S ARRIVAL IN WASHINGTON D.C. (TV)

Summary

One in this series of nightly news programs. This program, with John McWethy substituting for Ted Koppel, focuses on Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev's arrival in Washington, D.C., and his intention to sign the INF (Intermediate Nuclear Force) treaty at the summit with U.S. President Ronald Reagan. A report on Gorbachev by correspondent James Walker includes comments by Marshall Goldman of Harvard University, Ed Hewitt of the Brookings Institution, Seweryn Bialer of Columbia University, Gail Lapidus of the University of California at Berkley, and political consultant John Deardourff. McWethy explores the American perspective on the Soviet leader in a discussion with Jerry Hough, Ph.D., professor of political science at Duke University, and Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Stanford University, both of whom are authors of books on Gorbachev. Providing insight from a Soviet perspective is a member of the summit's Soviet delegation, political scientist Oleg Bykov. Program topics include Gorbachev's efficacy as the leader of the Soviet Union, and the difficult political and economic problems he faces; the probability of success for his proposed reforms; the importance of the results of this summit for the Soviet Union; speculation about the length of Gorbachev's term in office, given pressures from both conservatives and reformers; the debate about the possibilities of success for perestroika, which may determine Gorbachev's political survival; and how the INF treaty would help to decrease the Soviets' military spending. Among other topics discussed are Gorbachev's effective use of the television medium to sway American public opinion, and the question of whether his wife, Raisa, is an asset or a liability in his efforts. Includes commercials.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by a grant from the Times Mirror Foundation.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: December 7, 1987 12:30 AM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:30:58
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:12275
• GENRE: News; Talk/Interviews
• SUBJECT HEADING: Arms control; Cold War; Communism - 1987; Glasnost; Perestroika; Summit meetings - United States; U S S R - Foreign relations - U S
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1980-
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - American Express gift certificates
  • TV - Commercials - Canon Sure Shot Supreme camera
  • TV - Commercials - DeBeers diamonds
  • TV - Commercials - Ernest & Julio Gallo wines
  • TV - Commercials - Le Menu frozen dinners
  • TV - Commercials - Lysol disinfectant spray
  • TV - Commercials - Macintosh computers
  • TV - PSA - "ABC Olympic Diary"
  • TV - PSA - AIDS prevention (U.S. Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop)
  • TV - PSA - Lightning protection by the NOAA
  • TV - PSA - Social Security Numbers (Internal Revenue Service/Department of Treasury)
  • TV - Promos - "ABC World News This Morning"
  • TV - Promos - "ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings"
  • TV - Promos - "Best Defense"
  • TV - Promos - "Dynasty"
  • TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
  • TV - Promos - "Hooperman"
  • TV - Promos - "Sledge Hammer!"
  • TV - Promos - "The 'Slap' Maxwell Story"
  • TV - Promos - "The Barbara Walters Special"
  • TV - Promos - "The Charmings"
  • TV - Promos - "thirtysomething"

CREDITS

• John McWethy … Anchor
• James Walker … Reporter
• Jerry Hough … Guest
• Condoleezza Rice … Guest
• Oleg Bykov … Guest
• C. Everett Koop … Spokesperson, PSA for AIDS prevention
• Seweryn Bialer
• John Deardourff
• Marshall Goldman
• Mikhail S. Gorbachev
• Raisa Maksimovna Gorbachev
• Ed Hewitt
• Gail Lapidus