Gorbachev still packs a punch

Many Russians rejected Gorbachev's reforms

Mikhail Gorbachev says he remains an optimist and considers he has led a successful life as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

However, the former Soviet leader still has strong views on international affairs.

In a radio interview, he warns the United States against going ahead with its missile defence plan and Nato against absorbing the Baltic states without Moscow's consent.

There is something definitely Texan about him

Gorbachev on Bush

Praise for Bush...

Mr Gorbachev describes US President George W. Bush as "a lively man". "He is natural, not stuck up, not a show-off. There is something definitely Texan about him".

He said he had received a letter from the new US president, "quite an informal one... the contents are interesting. It gives rise to many hopes."

But Mr Gorbachev expressed serious concern in his Moscow Echo radio interview about Washington's plans for its national missile defence system.

...But warning for Washington

"I think they have not thought it out very well. As a politician, I think this is a harmful move because it will give an impetus to the arms race.

"How can America create security for itself while the rest of the world is left to its own devices? No country in the world is capable of doing this.

This is a harmful move because it will give an impetus to the arms race

On US missile defence plan

"The Americans have admitted they do not listen to others enough. Let them listen to us and their allies while they are making up their minds," he suggested.

Europe itself was against the system, he said.

Moscow would not stand by idly if plans went ahead for the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to join Nato, Mr Gorbachev warned.

It is beyond me why some people are trying to crucify him [Putin]

Moscow had no part in the plan which was "even directed against Russia. It is replete with danger. Russia is sure to retaliate."

Achievements

Friends of Mr Gorbachev have also published a book to mark his birthday.

No slouch at 70

Itar-Tass news agency quoted him as saying in the book: "I always was, and remain, an optimist. I have no reason to complain. I have succeeded in life."

Despite a number of mistakes, his achievements had been considerable: "The rights and freedoms of people, new democratic institutions, an open society, new relations with other countries and the end of the 'Cold War'."

Russians still have a lot to do to become free people

"I was against quick and hasty solutions which rejected the existing situation out of hand," Mr Gorbachev said.

But he cautioned: "Russians still have a lot to do to become free people."

And in remarks quoted by Interfax news agency, he praised the current President, Vladimir Putin, for "managing to keep the situation under control without neglecting the people, increasing pensions and doing much more."

Mr Putin had travelled a "long road" in a short time.

"It is beyond me why some people are trying to crucify him."

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.