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War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Visions of War and Peace; Interview with Vladimir Petrovsky, 1987

Part of War and Peace in the Nuclear Age.

12/25/1987

Vladimir Petrovsky (Petrovskii) is a Soviet diplomat who rose to the post of First Deputy Foreign Minister from 1986-1991. Earlier in his career, he served for a number of years in the U.N. Secretariat, later (1992) becoming Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs. In this interview, he disagrees with the notion that the superpowers are in fundamental conflict, commenting that although their interests may be different there is no conflict of interest as such. At the same time, he acknowledges that every area of U.S.-Soviet relations is in need of a new approach, although he is confident that opportunities exist to deal successfully with regional and other problems. Asked to offer some assurances to European governments of Soviet good intentions, he notes that a number of proposals are currently on the table – for reducing armaments and troop levels, for example. He believes the most important objective for the superpowers should be to build mutual confidence, to do away with images of the enemy, and above all to take practical steps to resolve conflicts at all levels.


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Series
War and Peace in the Nuclear Age
Program
Visions of War and Peace
Program Number

113

Title

Interview with Vladimir Petrovsky, 1987

Series Description

The first atomic explosion in the New Mexico desert on July 16, 1945, changed the world forever. This series chronicles these changes and the history of a new era. It traces the development of nuclear weapons, the evolution of nuclear strategy, and the politics of a world with the power to destroy itself.

In thirteen one-hour programs that combine historic footage and recent interviews with key American, Soviet, and European participants, the nuclear age unfolds: the origin and evolution of nuclear weapons; the people of the past who have shaped the events of the present; the ideas and issues that political leaders, scientists, and the public at large must confront, and the prospects for the future. Nuclear Age highlights the profound changes in contemporary thinking imposed by the advent of nuclear weapons. Series release date: 1/1989

Program Description

Even in the best international atmosphere, the superpowers face continuing differences about hot to reduce the risk of nuclear war. This final episode analyzes the continuing themes of the nuclear age.

- American attitudes toward nuclear weapons are intertwined with American anxieties about the nature of the Soviet State. - NATO relies on a threat of first use of nuclear weapons in response to an attack even by conventional forces of the Warsaw Pact. - To date, there is no defense against nuclear missiles. - More and more nations are acquiring nuclear technology. - Many people confuse arms control with disarmament.

The challenge of the Nuclear Age is to find a new way for nations to resolve disputes so they will no longer resort to force.

Duration

00:20:30

Asset Type

Raw video

Media Type

Video

Subjects
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
France
Soviet Union. Treaties, etc. United States, 1972 May 26 (ABM)
Afghanistan
United States
Soviet Union
Nuclear disarmament
Nuclear arms control
Germany
International relations
Nuclear weapons
Locations
Moscow, Russia
Genres
Documentary
Topics
Global Affairs
War and Conflict
Science
History
Contributors
Petrovskii, Vladimir Fedorovich (Interviewee)
Publication Information
WGBH Educational Foundation
Citation
Chicago: “War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Visions of War and Peace; Interview with Vladimir Petrovsky, 1987,” 12/25/1987, GBH Archives, accessed March 29, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C82D159AA2354D26B381515993A862AA.
MLA: “War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Visions of War and Peace; Interview with Vladimir Petrovsky, 1987.” 12/25/1987. GBH Archives. Web. March 29, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C82D159AA2354D26B381515993A862AA>.
APA: War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; Visions of War and Peace; Interview with Vladimir Petrovsky, 1987. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_C82D159AA2354D26B381515993A862AA
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