54. Editorial Note
On June 3, 1987, President Ronald Reagan flew from Andrews Air Force Base to Marco Polo Airport, Venice, to participate in the Venice Economic Summit of the G–7 nations. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary) On June 12, Reagan flew from Marco Polo Airport to Tempelhof Central Airport, West Berlin. At 2:20 p.m., he delivered a speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. “We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness,” Reagan declared. “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” (Public Papers: Reagan, 1987, Book I, pp. 634–647) Following this speech, Reagan returned to Andrews Air Force Base via Tempelhof Central Airport and Koln-Bonn Airport. (Reagan Library, President’s Daily Diary)
On June 15, Reagan delivered an address from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. “Six years ago the United States proposed a step called the zero option, the complete elimination of U.S. and Soviet land-based longer range INF missiles. At the time, many labeled it ridiculous and sug [Page 258] gested the Soviets would never accept it. Well, we remained determined, and this year the Soviets adopted a similar position. So, tonight I can tell you that, with the support of our allies, the United States will also formally propose to the Soviet Union the global elimination of all U.S. and Soviet land-based, shorter range INF missiles, along with the deep reductions in—and we hope the ultimate elimination of—longer range INF missiles.” (Public Papers: Reagan, 1987, Book I, pp. 653–655) Negotiators and administrative officials referred to this tandem of short-range and long-range INF as the “global double zero” proposal.