Imprisoning East Germany
Source: http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2009/06/imprisoning_east_germany.htmPosted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 | In Europe, Market Commentary, Russia
Der Spiegel has a fascinating article about a piece of historical documentation which has been uncovered, revealing whether it was Walter Ulbricht or Nikita Khrushchev who came up with the idea of building the Berlin Wall.
Khrushchev, at any rate, stepped up the pace. “We will give you one or two weeks to make the necessary economic preparations,” he told Ulbricht. “Then you will convene the parliament and issue the following communiqué: ‘Beginning tomorrow, checkpoints will be erected and transit will be prohibited. Anyone who wishes to cross the border can do so only with the permission of certain authorities of the German Democratic Republic.”
Khrushchev wanted to convince the East German population that the wall being built would protect them from Western spies, and he said that the Germans would understand.
But even Khrushchev didn’t appear to totally believe his own propaganda. When Ulbricht told him, during the August meeting, that he wanted to bring his economic experts into the loop, Khrushchev advised him otherwise. “You should not explain anything before the introduction of the new border regime,” he said. “It would only strengthen the flow of people leaving.”
If word got out about the wall construction, the Kremlin director recognized correctly, there could be “traffic jams” on Berlin’s access roads. Such forms of traffic obstruction would constitute “a certain demonstration,” he said.
Last 5 posts by Robert Amsterdam
- Video: Nina Khrushcheva on Mikhail Khodorkovsky - February 9th, 2010
- Ukrainian Presidential Election: Some Responses - February 9th, 2010
- Quibble - February 9th, 2010
- Energy Blast - Feb 9, 2010 - February 9th, 2010
- Today in Russian Business - Feb 9, 2010 - February 9th, 2010
![]() About Robert Amsterdam (http://www.robertamsterdam.com/)
Robert Amsterdam is a lawyer and an advocate for rule of law. His blog was created to express views which may stimulate debate and discussion on topics of international interest. Robert believes that we live in a world of unchallenged impunity, and he views his blog as merely a small attempt to shine a light on issues he views as important in countries with which he is engaged. He make no apologies or pretense of objectivity - he is merely stating his opinions. |





