CRCE Briefing Paper
Fall of the Berlin Wall
by Geza Jeszensky and Krassen Stanchev
The Constitution of the CRCE requires that its Trustees and Advisers dissociate themselves from the analysis contained in its publications, but it is hoped that readers will find this study of value and interest.
First published in May 2010
© Geza Jeszensky, Krassen Stanchev & Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies
All Rights Reserved
Fall of
the Berlin Wall
In the last weeks there were numerous commemorations and conferences
celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall, the symbol of the division of
Europe, and a very real piece of the Iron Curtain. The most publicized
events took place in Berlin, understandably. The United States, too,
remembered 1989, but with a serious omission: without mentioning the
pivotal role of Hungary. E.g.: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton to unveil democracy agenda at Atlantic Council awards ceremony
Freedom's Challenge dinner in Berlin will commemorate fall of the Wall,
honour Walesa and Havel.
Washington, D.C. - Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton will deliver a major foreign policy address on the
administration's new agenda for freedom and democracy promotion at the
Freedom's Challenge dinner and awards ceremony in Berlin on November 8.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary
of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Atlantic Council will present
Freedom Awards to former Presidents Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel,
honouring their struggles for democracy in Poland and the former
Czechoslovakia. Freedom Awards will also be accepted by Secretary
Clinton on behalf of the American people, Supreme Allied Commander
Europe Admiral James Stavridis on behalf of NATO troops, Vice
Chancellor Guido Westerwelle on behalf of the German people and Mayor
Klaus Wowereit on behalf of the citizens of Berlin.
The Council honoured former U.S.
President George H.W. Bush and former German
Chancellor Helmut Kohl with its Distinguished International Leadership
Award in April for their historic roles twenty years ago.
Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council, said, "Presidents Walesa and Havel sparked a wave of democratic revolutions across Eastern Europe. Today, the United States and its allies must continue to stand up for democracy and freedom through constructive leadership and cooperation; the Atlantic Council Freedom Awards proudly honour those who helped make the fall of the Berlin Wall a reality."
(...)
To download the full text click here