Word: leipzigers
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...true that on Oct. 9 you personally intervened to prevent another Tiananmen Square happening in Leipzig by countermanding a written order by Honecker to use military units in and around the city -- which had received live ammunition -- to put down the demonstrations by force, on the grounds that they were counterrevolutionary...
That same week, in preparation for the next Monday, Oct. 16 ((when more demonstrations were expected)), I went to Leipzig, together with people who were responsible for security. We drew up instructions that 1) any kind of violent confrontation must be avoided, 2) in no case should firearms be used, and this was summed up in an order by the chairman of the National Defense Committee. I then went to the room in which we are now sitting and presented the order to Honecker. I insisted on his signing it, which...
...there is one more thing, which I have not yet said in public. I told my political friends in Leipzig, no matter what the final order looks like, even if it should be a different order, you will refuse to use firearms. Today I'm glad we acted this way because it enabled us to protect the peaceful revolution in our country...
...country's new opposition parties also weighed in against the Kohl scheme because of their desire to maintain some kind of separate, reformed socialist state. Even so, Kohl may have many more sympathizers whose views have not been articulated in press conferences. In pro-democracy demonstrations in Leipzig during the past few weeks, banners proclaiming GERMANY, ONE COUNTRY bobbed through the crowd...
...succeeded Erich Honecker reveals to TIME that he told officials to disobey any order to shoot demonstrators in Leipzig. He invites "all political forces" to shape a consensus that will serve his country's majority. But he insists that present borders must be respected and takes a dim view of German reunification...