218 THE END OF THE COLD WAR
We were so close to an agreement. I think you didn’t want to achieve
an agreement anyway. I’m very sorry.’ Gorbachëv, equally depressed,
replied: ‘I’m also sorry it’s happened like this. I wanted an agreement,
and did everything I could, if not more.’ Reagan concluded: ‘I don’t
know when we’ll ever have another chance like this and whether we
are going to meet soon.’ Gorbachëv replied: ‘I don’t either.’^53 The
American record was less specific and merely indicated that the
President rose to his feet before the General Secretary asked him to
pass on his regards to Mrs Reagan.^54 On the steps outside, they talked
again. Reagan said, ‘I still feel we can find a deal.’ Gorbachëv was un -
impressed: ‘I don’t think you want a deal. I don’t know what more I
could have done.’ Quick as a whippet, Reagan remarked: ‘You could
have said yes.’ Gorbachëv concluded: ‘We won’t be seeing each other
again.’^55
Reagan made straight for Air Force One, missing the opportunity
to defend his performance in the talks. This was an unprecedented
omission. The Great Communicator, as he was known, was remarkable
for his ability to exploit chances to explain himself to the American
public. He reassured himself in his diary: ‘Well, the ball is in his court
and I’m convinced that he’ll come round when he sees how the world
is reacting.’^56 He was genuinely disappointed. He was also exhausted.
Though Gorbachëv felt the same he conquered his mood sufficiently
to be able to host a press conference half an hour later. He spoke about
his initial hopes as well as the process of the talks, constantly empha-
sizing how far the Soviet leadership had gone in pursuit of peace.
While expressing no direct criticism, he stressed that Reagan had
passed up the opportunity to realize his own zero option.^57 Shultz saw
the damage that this was doing to the American cause around the
world. He also arranged a meeting with reporters and declared that
Reykjavik had been a success for America, its allies and global peace.
In his press briefing later that day, he paid tribute to his President’s
‘magnificent’ performance and hailed his commitment to the Strategic
Defense Initiative. He avoided any criticism of Gorbachëv with the
remark: ‘I wouldn’t say they came here not in good faith.’ He refused
to rule out the possibility that the American and Soviet leaders would
eventually sign agreements.^58