Gennadi Gerasimov

Gennadi (or Gennady) Ivanovich Gerasimov (Russian: Геннадий Иванович Герасимов; 3 March 1930 – 14 September 2010^[1]) was the last Soviet, and then Russian ambassador to Portugal from 1990 to 1995. Previously he was foreign affairs spokesman for Mikhail Gorbachev and press secretary to Eduard Shevardnadze.^[2]

Preceded byValentin Kasatkin

Succeeded byAleksandr Smirnov

BornGennadi Ivanovich Gerasimov
(1930-03-03)3 March 1930

Yelabuga, Tatar ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Tatarstan, Russia)

Died14 September 2010(2010-09-14) (aged 80)

Moscow, Russia

Quick facts Russian Ambassador to Portugal (From 1990 until 1991 Soviet), Preceded by ...

Gennadi Gerasimov
Геннадий Герасимов
Gerasimov in 2001
Russian Ambassador to Portugal (From 1990 until 1991 Soviet)
In office 1990–1995
Preceded by	Valentin Kasatkin
Succeeded by	Aleksandr Smirnov
Personal details
Born	Gennadi Ivanovich Gerasimov (1930-03-03)3 March 1930 Yelabuga, Tatar ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Tatarstan, Russia)
Died	14 September 2010(2010-09-14) (aged 80) Moscow, Russia

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He is noted for coining the expression "Sinatra Doctrine" in reference to Gorbachev's non-intervention policy with respect to other members of the Warsaw Pact.^[3] When asked, during Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to Prague in 1987, what the difference was between the Prague Spring and perestroika, Gerasimov replied: "nineteen years".^[4]

He was recognized in 1990 as Communicator of the Year by the (American) National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC).^[5]

He is mentioned in the Billy Bragg song "Moving the Goalposts".