160 THE END OF THE COLD WAR
non-aligned countries around the world.^70 This was wishful thinking.
Gorbachëv’s trip to Paris had demonstrated that even Mitterrand – the
West European leader most ready with his criticisms of the American
administration – was loath to rebuke Reagan for his foreign and secur-
ity policy. Public opinion in Western Europe took a favourable view of
the Soviet reformers, but it was far from clear that Gorbachëv could
turn this into an instrument of constraint on the foreign policies of
governments. The summit in Geneva created a friendly atmosphere
without removing the practical impediments to rapprochement. Much
needed to be done if progress was going to occur.