parents did a quarter of a century ago, that the human longing for freedom is universal and can not be ex-sting wishes. and no wall can support a government that does not respond to the needs of its people. mr. president, this is an historic event it can be even more so if the east german government acts to tear the wall down. i urge them to do so. i urge president gorbachev to encourage them to do so. ol then will we know their proposals of today have substance and meaning. mr. president, i yield the floor.

we continue with our look back to the fall of the berlin wall on above 10, 1989. gerhardt hearder appeared at the national press club in washington, d.c., where he reacted to the news. >> can't hear, sir. >> who would have thought a few weeks ago that so many distinguished journalists would follow an invitation to a press meeting with the german democratic republic's

ambassador. i welcome your interest and what's going on in the german democratic republic. with your permission, i would first like to make some preliminary remarks and then i'm ready to take your questions. the current events in the german democratic republic present a radical change with the past. their meaning is a revolutionary renewal of socialism. current changes, even if many have been surprised by their speed and extent have not been

porn out overnight. they have become possible or necessary thanks to the new thinking and foreign policy introduced by the soviet union and other socialist countries in which my country's german democratic republic had an active part. this policy has radically changed the international situation and created a favorable atmosphere for moving away from the arms race and the policy of confrontation to the policy of relaxation of tensions and cooperation among peoples. the current events have become possible and necessary because of a number of objective and

subjective reasons deriving from the internal development of the socialist society and the german democratic republic in recent years. in a way, unthinkable still a few months ago, millions of people have expressed their wish for a change. they have thus demonstrated their determination and their willingness to play a divisive role in shaping the future of my country. thus, despite undeniable achievements of the german democratic republic in the past years, new demands and needs have come up to face the new

challenges, the new policy and the radical restructuring of our society had become inevitable. and open and very critical assessment of the situation led to a change of the leadership of the country. the recent plenary meeting of the socialist unity party of germany, of its central committee, has been of extraordinary importance. this meeting has come forward with a far-reaching program of action, which will radically change the structure and survey the way the gdr will be

governed. this event is irreversible. there are still people alleging that all these changes are simply cosmetic, grant the survival of the party, then let me say that they are wrong. they are victims of an outlived area of mistrust and suspicion. the opening of the borders, including the berlin wall, for all citizens of my country is an historic act. it is a permanent measure. opening up new avenues for progress is the sanctioning of peace and cooperation among people.

there should be no doubt that from now on, all further activities to strengthen and develop our socialist society will be the result of active participation of all citizens, expressing primarily their overall interests. we are prepared to continue playing an active role in creating a stable and peaceful world. it's a great challenge to us and to others to compete with us peacefully in democracy, technology, economy and even human rights. my country has always been at the forefront of those who have

come out for peace and stability, particularly in europe. it is and will remain a predictable partner. as ambassador to the united states, i have carefully listened to the official reaction of president bush and the secretary of state bakker to the developments in my country. these reactions are encouraging and i hope that one of the conclusions will be to open up a new phase in our bilateral relations, just contributing to bea peace and understanding in relations between our country and the world. thank you. >> mr. ambassador, there are reports today that your government plans to open new crossing points in the berlin

wall. are those reports true? do you plan to open up further portions of the wall, physically? >> it's possible, because as you will understand, more and more people have tried to visit west berlin and might come out that the existing checkpoints will not be enough and that's possible. but you might have also heard that all fortifications, barricades, which have existed up till now will also be removed, have been announced by the minister of interior of the german democratic party. >> the entire wall itself will be torn down? >> um, we should have no illusions and not beaten by euphoria. the berlin wall is not simply dividing line between a city.

the berlin wall is -- has been and is marking a borderline between states and even more, between the two most powerful military alliances. the wall as it existed up to now will disappear, but the border between gdr and federal republic of germany will continue to exist and obviously, with a regime which is applicable under such circumstances, as with any other countries. be no difference with regards to the regime at the border as applied at borders between any other country in this world. will the wall physically disappear? >> physically? of course it will disappear.

it will disappear physically because it will completely change the character it had up to now. # >> is there going to have to be more reform as well, political? >> keeping people at home is not simply a question of the border. keeping people at home is a question of the society. people should feel well at home, should be attracted by their society. so, that's why the problem is not simply opening the borders. the problem is that that's what i tried to explain to you is much more, the problem is to build an attractive socialism. socialism that what -- which would be so attractive that fwho animal would like to leave it.

that's the objective. that's the sense of all changes and the decorations which have been made up to now. >> when are you going to open for pluralistic elections? >> as you might have read and heard, our head of state has declared that he is open for a free dialogue on how to solve all problems, including the holding of jeep and free elections in my country. it's up to the parliament which will convene on monday next to discuss when it will be appropriate to hold such elections. it will not be tomorrow morning. >> can you see the kday when

there will be a own filled with germany, east and west, becoming one germany? >> in my dreams, yes. unified g, east and west, becoming one germany? >> in my dreams, yes. being a politician and standing with both my feet on the earth, i don't see no possibility for a united germany in the foreseeable future, in the present circumstances. not only because of -- of any old-fashioned policy because the realities are not such to permit the unification. there are two states integrated into military alliances, guaranteeing stable balance of power and on the other hand, i don't know whether -- if we have

to ask our people and see indications whether they would like to become a -- federal republic or remain a sovereign state member of the united states. i think the overwhelming majority will be against. so at present, there are no conditions for united germany. >> would you be willing to put it to a vote in your country? >> that's question which of course will come up, but it's up to now, it's a speculative question. >> might there be a unified berlin before a unified germany? >> again, taking into considerations existing situation in berlin, it's impossible. >> mr. ambassador -- >> because the same whether it is gdr and republic -- to west berlin, you don't forget that west berlin is under occupation still as a special

status and i don't see any possibility for uniting both parts of berlin. >> mr. ambassador, isn't it possible that as you say, because you have two states that are really divided also militarily between the nato and the warsaw pacts, isn't it possible that president bush and gorbachev will be really deciding the future of whether there will be reunified germany? >> you see, i respect very much the americans and other superpowers, but even small states have a right to live and decide their destiny. i think it is not a matter to be discussed by gorbachev and by bush. it's a matter to be discussed and decided on the basis of the right to self-determination pie the people of the german democratic republic and those concerned.

in this case, the federal republic of germany. but again, i think that this is a question which does not meet the real objective conditions as existing now in central europe, in europe and in the world. and we have to be very realistic and -- to assess very soberly the situation because you should not allow this events to get out of control by introducing questions which are not yet right for the solution. we should concentrate on what is feasible and do at the moment. that's what it's all about. >> mr. ambassador, i know that diplomats are not supposed to talk about their personal feelings, but would you share with us some of your personal feelings as you have watched events unfold in your nation? >> of course. i had always had my own feelings. and believe me that went wall

was erected and i was there in '68, having my apartment only about 100 yards away from the border, i had mixed feelings and i would have wanted this wall never to have been erected. but at that time, there was no other way. i think the wall has played its role maintaining peace in europe. only after the erection of the wall, certain -- dream to incorporate the gbr, became reasonable. only after the erection of the wall, it was possible to convene the head of the key conference to conclude treaties, recognizing the sovereignty of states, recognizing the borders. so, the wall played its historic

role. it's like with surgery, you are getting a scar, don't like the scar, but you have to accept it because it saves your soul and your body. >> mr. ambassador, you praised the reaction by president bush. senate liters, mitchell and dole, have said that these events signal the end of communism. are they accurate? >> um, i certainly have heard such comments. and such predictions are not new to me. i remember when the gdr was founded after the foundation of the republic in '49. i was at that time 21 years old, so i still remember the time it was sad this entirety is not livable. no heavy industry, one and a

half year and it will be over. nen came the events of '53 the june events, you remember? you know? at the same, it is over for socialism. then when we suffered, signing and considerable economic damage, the '60s, the wall was built, it was that the wall was a sign of the catastrophe and of the failure of socialism. and so we are hearing again. we are not surprised. we are all human beings. what strength and what courage

is necessary to come out and tell publicly what that was wrong. this and that we have to correct and then, to extend up and come out with the program of action oriented toward the future. and i think that's good sign. and we will come out much stronger of this -- out of this than we are before. >> you talk about what's feels aboutible. what is feasible in the short run? what do you foresee? >> what i foresee is to establish and to develop normal relations between all countries concerned, europe, particularly with the federal republic, the german republic, which means the german republic and berlin west.

we still have a number of obstacles that could be removed easily. the federal republic of germany does not recognize the citizenship. it is pretending a custodianship about our citizens. that's -- this has a negative impact on our relations. and it's not in accordance with the helsinki agreements, principles enshrined in this document. each country is a sovereign country it has to be respected and its citizen have to be treated as such and there's no need -- no necessity for establishing a specific treatment from them. there are other [ inaudible ] we want to agree with the federal republic of germany on fruitful,

constructive cooperation. making use of our potentials, devoting all our efforts to develop strong stable political, economic, cultural and other relations. that's what's doable. that's feasible. and that, i think, should be done in the near future. >> free elections are held, how do you assess the changes of the present government staying in power? >> do you think that we would come out for free and general elections if we had not hoped to win? >> what if a non-communist government is elected? >> of course, elections are always carrying with them the risk, but we are ready to run

this risk. >> mr. ambassador, does that mean the party will give up its constitutional role as the leading party in east germany or will you surrender that, as pole land and hungary? >> that is something i really cannot tell you now because i'm not a member of the parliament and that's something which has to be decided by the parliament. but on a personal note, i would like to tell that the leading role of a party cannot be implemented by a document or by a paper. what's necessary and that's what we are striving to do and i think the recent meeting of the central community has shown it. we want to really demonstrate to the public, to every citizen of my country, that we are the leading force, that our program is in the interest of all our

citizens and thus, to assure the support of the -- of the broadest majority of our bell. that's our aim. that's what we are striving gore. of course, it's a hard job. but we are facing the realities and we are facing the changes connected with that. >> mr. ambassador, chancellor kohl of west germany also spoke of cooperation, unity today. are there any plans for mr. prince to meet with mr. kohl and or when do you expect a meeting such that is could happen? >> frankly speaking, you are asking too much because i really don't know about the plans. this will be announced at the appropriate time in the press. but i think that the time will come and both leaders will meet and discuss problems which have

come up in connection with the new era we have now opened up with our policy. >> mr. ambassador, things have moved so quickly. you defend the existence of the wall as a necessary border. can you foreclose the possible that in a short time, the next six months, the wall might be removed? >> what reaboved? what reaboved? >> the berlin wall, even as a border? can you foreclose that? >> i have talked about that. i think i gave an answer to this question at the beginning of my interview. >> do you consider what has happened so far in the last few weeks irrevisable and permanent? >> i think what is going on is irreversib irreversible. >> can you envision a reduction of soviet troops in your country and then envision that the warsaw pact and nato might be dismanteleled?

>> as a result of this negotiations, which i hope will come to an agreement the course of next year, it's quite possible that some of the troops might be reduced and other countries, too, including western countries, which also are included in the talks and which also have their talk there is. >> ambassador, there have been contacts between the u.s. government and your government, either here or in berlin regarding the developments and what specifically would you like the u.s. government to do toward your country? >> what we have done is no secret and i told you that things have -- before these

drastic changes have been announced and been introduced only two weeks ago. we had consultations, the cases of deputy ministers for foreign affairs with the united states. our vice minister for foreign affairs met high-ranking people and of course, there was talk about what's going on in the gdr. \s >> do you have any idea how long it will be before things settle

back into what might be called normalcy? >> it depend on the attitude of all parties involved. i would think now what's going on will be assessed soberly. and all parts will draw realistic conclusions from that and act accordingly, then this could be a very smooth transition, but i also don't want to hide before you that these developments are very dangerous. they could lead, they get out of control, to a bigger conflict, which nobody of us wants. >> conflict between whom, sir?

>> conflicts between the armed forces, police, armed forces and the gdr and since united states forces, british forces and french forces are only a few miles away, by any miscalculation, they could be involved and this could mean that this could lead to a conflict. overall conflict. that's what we would like to avoid because of the sensitive location, central europe is. yeah? >> see the same kind of events taking place in east germany as we saw taking place this past summer in tiananmen square?

>> i don't think so personally. and i can explain -- i can tell you that it's the firm intention of our leadership to solve all problems by political means, that is peacefully without violence. >> what kind of business calculation then could set off some sort of conflict? >> no, let's have a big demonstration with the people being involved, throwing stones, police intervening, helping people, shooting, explosions and one grenade or something that could -- something like that could hit the military installation or a plane flying over there, so it could have a very serious effects and lead to an outbreak of a very tense situation at least.

>> ambassador, today we are seeing pictures from the wall of bell on top of the wall, trying to tear it down with their hands and chisels, tearing off big chunks of the wall. does this give you any concern that these sort of actions on behalf of civilians could -- are these the sorts of actions that you think could trigger -- >> i have seen these pictures here in american newspapers but as you might have noticed, there was no intervention, nobody intervened. so as they are simply sitting on the wall, and if they think that's fun for them, let them do so. >> but like today, just recently seeing pictures of actual chunks of concrete being torn off the wall and being held aloft. does that give you any -- any concern that things could turn ugly? >> no.

>> sir, you have said that the wall was necessary and also that this is now another great step forward for socialism. but that wall was there to hold people back, to break the will of the people who wanted to leave the communist world. now, you're saying that the communist world is going to become an attractive place for people. how will you do that? >> we will do it by creating a society which would meet the needs of our steps. and any area. that's what we are striving gore. you should not forget that at that time, we had the cold war. there was the arms race. there were extraordinary

measures taken between the two systems at that time and we were in the middle of this conflict. now the time has changed. we have to understand that time has changed. we have now all hope that thanks got negotiations taking place between the soviet union and the united states as far as agreements that will be reached, relaxation of tension will make progress and all this contributes to creating the necessary atmosphere also for de continuing changes within our countries, socialist countrieser, that's what we will try to do.countriesr, that's what we will try to d that's what we will try to do. >> the cold war is over?

>> [ inaudible ]. >> this new society, we are dreaming of will, of course, take we are dreaming of will, of course, take a certain period of time. take capitalism. how long does it take to build capitalism? and still, capitalisment is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. ent is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. isent is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. n'ent is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. tent is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. nt is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. t is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. is perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. s perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. perfect yet. so, i think this will be a long-lasting process. thank you. each week, bhaern history tv's real america brings you archival films that take you on a journey through the 20th century "the five cities of june" is a 1963 u.s. agency film depicting events in vatican