Gorbachev sent a eulogy to Governor Onaga
Mikhail Gorbachev
August 11, 2018 Ryukyu Shimpo
On August 10, Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who was a leading figure in Cold War and received the Nobel Peace Prize, dedicated a eulogy to the late Governor Takeshi Onaga.
In the eulogy, Gorbachev says, “The base principle of his activities was a battle for peace. Opposition to the expansion of the military base and improvement of the living environment were the two wheels (of his activities).” He concluded, “Takeshi Onaga will live forever within us.”
Gorbachev said to Toshinobu Hattori, a representative of the Japanese office of the Gorbachev Foundation, that, “Onaga is not only a representative of Okinawa, but also superior among Japanese politicians. He is the kind of person who would have been a capable future prime minister.”
The eulogy was written on August 9 to Mrs. Mikiko Onaga, the wife of Governor Onaga. On the 10th, Hattori sent the letter to Shintaro Kuniyoshi, president of the supporters’ association for Governor Onaga.
The eulogy sent from Gorbachev
The eulogy that Mikhail Gorbachev dedicated to the late Governor Onaga
Dear Mrs. Mikiko Onaga
I express my deepest condolences for the sudden loss of Governor Takeshi Onaga. I was looking forward to seeing him again. Words cannot express how saddened I am.
Takeshi Onaga was an excellent politician and a respectable human being. I have met him many times.
He always had a definite vision for the future while maintaining a constant and solid will. The base principle of his activities was a battle for peace. Opposition to the expansion of the military base and improvement of the living environment were the two wheels (of his activities).
I and all the staff of the Gorbachev Foundation would like to express our heartfelt condolences and I would like to share this sadness with the people of Okinawa Prefecture.
Takeshi Onaga will live forever within us.
August 9, 2018
In Moscow
Mikhail Gorbachev
* translated from the Japanese translation of the letter
(English translation by T&CT and Megumi Chibana)
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