The Presidency: Reagan on Gorbachev: We Can Get Along

"General Secretary Gorbachev was always civil," said Ronald Reagan last week, musing over the phone to TIME about his third extended encounter with the Soviet boss, a bright political star following a succession of dingy, dying hulks. "We both got steely-eyed sometimes, and we both raised our voices. But there was no sense of bitterness. He did not bear a grudge beyond the negotiating table. He does not stalk out of the room. He is pleasant, affable. He even seemed to like the food. He put it away pretty good. Still, I believe what I said, 'Trust but verify.' That is...