Russian Ambassador in Lebanon Reminisces about the Days of the U.S.S.R.: We Cared about Human Rights More Than in Other Countries

Russian ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin argued that in the U.S.S.R. in the 1960s and 1970s, "we cared about human rights more than many other countries," and that "If we delve into the issue of freedom, we realize that liberals and fascists converge at some point in their implementation of liberties." He was speaking on the Lebanese MTV channel on September 6.

Alexander Zasypkin: "Today, we can see that there are various kinds of socialism. Different socialist countries have different socialist experiences. The socialism of China, for example, is very successful. Take, for example, the issue of human rights. In the U.S.S.R., we cared about human rights more than many other countries."

Host: "Was there freedom there?"

Alexander Zasypkin: "In the 1960s and 1970s, liberties were guaranteed in the U.S.S.R."

Host: "So why did people flee the U.S.S.R., and were killed at the Berlin Wall while trying to escape?"

Alexander Zasypkin: "There are always people who want to leave..."

Host: "How can you say freedom was guaranteed when people were not allowed to leave?"

Alexander Zasypkin: "When you are starving to death, you don't think much about other things."

Host: "So what was the bright side if people were starving to death?"

Alexander Zasypkin: "If we delve into the issue of freedom, we realize that liberals and fascists converge at some point in their implementation of liberties."