wall on november 9, 1989. he reacted to the news. >> good evening. representing the german democratic republic of the united states -- to the united states of america. what a surprise. it seems as though -- >> cannot hear, sir. >> so many distinguished journalists took the invitation with the german democratic

ambassador. i welcome your interest in what is going on in the republic. i would first like to make some preliminary remarks and, i will be ready to take your questions. the current events in the german democratic republic represents a radical change with the past. the meaning is a revolutionary renewal of socialism. current changes, even if many have been surprised by the speed and extent, have not happened overnight. they have become possible thanks

to the new thinking introduced by the soviet union and other socialist countries in which my country has a part. this policy has radically changed the international situation and created an atmosphere for moving from the arms race to a policy of relaxation of tensions and cool operation with more people -- cooperation with more people. the current events have become possible and necessary because of a number of objective and subjective reasons derived from the socialist society in the

recent years. in a way, unthinkable a few months ago, people have expressed a wish for a change. they have demonstrated their willingness to play a decisive door in -- decisive role in shaping the future of the country. despite the achievements in the past year, new things have come up to face new challenges and the radical restructuring of our

society has become an inevitable. it is a very critical assessment of the situation and the recent meetings of the socialist unity party of germany has been of extraordinary importance. the meeting has come with a far-reaching program of action which will radically change the structure and the way the gdr will be governed. it is the people alleging that

these changes are cosmetic. let me say that they are wrong. they are victims of mistrust and suspicion. the opening of the borders and the berlin wall for all citizens of my country is his storage -- historic. it is a permanent measure. opening up new avenues for progress is the assurance of peace and cool operation among people. from now on, strengthening

society will be active with all citizens expressing their interests. we are prepared to continue to play an active role in creating a stable and peaceful world. it is a great challenge to us and to others to compete with us peacefully in democracy, ideology, economy, and human rights. my country has always been at

the forefront of those who have come for peace and stability in europe. it is a predictable partner. i have carefully listened to the official reaction of president bush and secretary baker about the developments in my country. the reactions are encouraging. i hope that we will open up a new faith and bilateral relations. thank you. >> there are reports that the government plans to open a new point in the berlin wall. do you plan to open up further portions?

>> it is possible. people try to visit west berlin and the checkpoints are not enough. it is possible. it was announced by the minister of the -- >> do you believe the entire wall will be torn down? >> we should not have illusions. the berlin wall is not simply a dividing line between a divided city. the berlin wall has been a

borderline between states and between the two most powerful military alliances. the border between gdr and the federal republic of germany will exist. until such circumstances -- it would be no different at the border with any other country. >> will the wall physically disappear?

>> it will completely change character. >> is there going to have to be more reform? >> keeping people at home is a question of society. people should feel at home and be a attracted by the society. the problem is not opening the border. the problem is what i tried to explain to you. the problem is to build attractive socialism that would be so attractive that no one would want to leave it.

that is all changes and what had been made up until now. >> will you open for pluralistic elections? >> our head of state has declared he is open for a free dialogue on how to handle problems, including the opening of general and free elections in my country. it is up to the parliament, who will convene to discuss when it is appropriate to hold such elections. it will not be tomorrow morning. >> can you see a date where there will be a unified germany? >> in my dreams, yes.

being a politician with both of my feet on the earth, i do not see it. no possibility for united germany in the first yearbook -- in the foreseeable future under present circumstances. it's not old-fashioned policy. the realities are that there are two integrated states into military alliances that guarantee stable balance of power and, on the other hand, i do not know if they would like to become a federal drug public -- republic or a sovereign state.

presently, there are no conditions for a united germany. >> would you be willing to put it to a vote? >> could there be a unified berlin before a unified germany? >> it is possible. the federal republic of germany and west berlin -- it is under occupation. i do not see any possibility for uniting.

>> you say you have two states that are divided militarily between the nato and warsaw pacts. isn't it possible that president bush and gorbachev will be deciding the future of germany? >> i expect superpowers and small states. they have a right to live and decide on their destiny will stop it is not a matter to be discussed by gorbachev and bush. it is a matter to be discussed on the basis of the right to self-determination and the people in the german democratic republic and, again, i think

this is a question that does not meet the real objective in central europe. we have to be very realistic. we should not allow this event to get out of control by introducing things that are not ready for solutions. we should introduce things that are feasible. >> i know diplomats are not supposed to talk about their personal feelings. would you share your personal feelings? >> of course. i have always had my own feelings. i was there in 1968, having my

apartment 100 yards from the border with mixed feelings. i would have wanted for the wall to never have been arrested. -- erected. i think the wall has maintained peace. only after the erection of the wall, the gdr became more reasonable. only after the erection of the wall, was a possible to have treaties that recognize the sovereignty of european states and borders. the wall played a historian role. you get a car.

you do not like the car. you except it -- accept it. >> senate leaders mitchell and dole say that this signals the end of communism. is that accurate? >> i have heard such comments. and, such protections -- predictions are not new to me. in 1949, i was 21 and i remember -- is not livable. 1.5 years and it will be over.

and then came 1953. the same was said. it is over, the socialism. then, we suffered considerable economic damage in the 1960's and it was said that the wall was a sign of catastrophe and the failure of socialism. we are not surprised. let me tell you. what will happen is that we will come out stronger of the crisis -- from the crisis. you are all human beings. what courage is necessary to

come out and say what is wrong. this and that we have to correct. and then, to stand up and come up with a program of action oriented towards the future. that is a good sign. we will come out much stronger from the crisis than we were. >> talk about what is feasible. what is feasible in the short run? >> what i foresee is establishing and developing normal relations between all countries concerned. europe, particularly the federal republic of of germany. between the german republic. we still have a number of --

that could be removed easily. they are pretending a custodianship of our citizens. this has a negative impact on our relations. and, it is not in accordance with agreements and principles enshrined in the document. each country is a sovereign country and has to be respected. the citizens have to be treated as such. and, there is no necessity for establishing specific treatment. there are other obstacles. we want to agree with germany on fruitful and constructive

cooperation. we want to develop strong and stable economic relations. that is what is doable. that is what is feasible and could be done in the near future. will there be a meeting -- >> if elections are held, what do you think the chances are of the government staying in power? >> would we come out for free elections if we didn't hope to win? >> what if a non-communist government was elected. -- elected? >> elections carried this risk. >> will the party give up the

constitutional role as the leading party in east germany? will you surrender that? >> that is something i really cannot tell you now. i am not a member of the parliament. that has to be decided by the parliament. on a personal note, i would like to say that the leading role of the party cannot be implemented by a document or by paper. what is necessary is what we are striving to do. we want to demonstrate to the public and every citizen of my country that we are the leading force and our programs are in the interest of all of our citizens.

that assures support of the broadest majority. that is our aim and what we are striving for. it is a hard job. we are facing the realities and the challenges with that. >> mr. ambassador, chancellor kohl spoke of unity today. are there any plans to meet with mr. kohl? when do you expect a meeting? >> you are asking too much. i do not know the plans. this will be announced at the appropriate time. i think that the time will come when they will meet and discuss whatever has come up in connection.

>> mr. ambassador, things have moved quickly. you have defend the existence of the wall. in the short time, do you think the wall would be removed? >> what removed? >> the berlin wall. >> i think i have given an answer to this at the beginning of the interview. >> considering what has happened, irreversible and permanent? >> do you envision a reduction of soviet troops? if that happens in east or west germany, can you envision the warsaw pact and nato being dismantled? >> to reduce conventional armed forces in europe, as a result of

these negotiations, which, i hope will come to an agreement in the next year, it is quite possible that troops might be reduced in countries, including western countries. they have their troops here. >> have there been contacts between the united states government and your government in berlin or here regarding developments? what would you like the u.s. government to do? >> what we have done is no secret. and, i told you that things have been introduced only two weeks ago.

we had presentations of deputy foreign ministers of affairs. our vice minister met high-ranking people and there was talk about what is going on in the gdr. we are continuing being in contact and exchanging. ambassadors are never satisfied. i think we have done a lot. we could do more. >> do have any idea how long it will be before things settle back into what might be called normalcy?

>> it will depend on the attitude of all the parties involved. if what is going on will be assessed soberly and all parties draw a realistic conclusions from this, it could be a smooth transition. i do not want to hide that these developments are very dangerous and they could lead to getting out of control to a bigger country which none of us want. conflict between the armed forces.

united states forces, british forces, are only a few miles away. this could mean that it leads to a conflict. that is what we would like to avoid because of the sensitive location. central europe. >> giving the same sort of events will happen in germany that we saw happen in china this summer? >> i don't think so. i can tell you that it is the

firm intentions of our leadership to solve all problems by political means and peacefully. >> what kind of miscalculation would lead to conflict? >> let's have a demonstration with the people being involved throwing stones, shooting, explosions, a grenade or something. some like that could hit a military installation or a fly would -- a plane would fly over. it would be the outbreak of a tense situation, at least. >> there are pictures from the

wall of people on top of the wall trying to tear it down with their hands and tearing off big chunks of the wall. does this give you any concern? are these the sorts of actions that you think rich richer -- could trigger that? >> i have seen pictures of this. nobody intervenes. as long as they're sitting on the wall, if that is fun for them, let them do so. >> we have seen pictures of concrete being worn off of the wall. does this give you any concern that things could turn ugly. >> no. >> you said that the wall was necessary and that this is a

step forward for socialism. the wall was there to hold people back and to break the will of the people who wanted to leave the communist world. now, you are saying that the communist world is going to become attractive for people. how we do that -- will you do that? >> we will create a society that meets the needs of our citizens in any area. that is what we are striving for. you should not forget that there were -- there was an arms race and extraordinary measures taken between the two systems at that time.

we were in the middle of this conflict. the time has changed and we have to understand that times have changed and stop we have a hope that, thanks to the negotiations taking place between the soviet union and the united states, we will make progress in all of this will create a necessary atmosphere for echoing changes inside of our countries. that is what we are trying to do. >> the cold war is over?

>> you see, the new society we are dreaming of will take a certain length of time. take capitalism. how long does it take to build capitalism? still, capitalism is not perfect. it will be a long process. >> thank you. [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2014] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> real america brings you a archival films to take you on a journey through the 20th century. the five cities of june is a 1963 u.s. information agency film depicting events in vatican city,