Role in History

" Continue with former president George HW bush from Berlin Germany twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the months leading up to the wall coming down -- go back like this summer for the walking down in November. What was it like this as president in terms of did you do you say sell the -- unrest that was building here in Europe."

" Yes you did and it was. It was palpable you can feel that you well when you sure that it would result in the wall actually coming down. I think most other people are. But it just got to -- momentum of its own. And these young people particularly get their cameras and try to hammer away and it did. The inevitable you might say that I've been that is gonna happen as soon as it did -- Well it just couldn't have been there so long and it was so obscene and so tough. It was for patrols so. In powerfully. By -- just -- about it east Germans. And it's funny that that. You think of Germany divided and now you come in Berlin. And its united is hard to believe that there resisted -- division. -- wall between separating family from failing. And certainly ideology from ideology. I -- it can and life went on. I and the day that it came down you -- I'm okay first word that those the first hammer and then -- against the law remember that I think it was in the Oval Office I heard that -- from Bradford or somebody the National Security Council that -- is actually happening. And it was dramatic. Beyond that I got a little criticism at home for not being not emotional -- Why and is one of the great reporters of our time who's -- rival network stood next to my desk why -- to express the emotion. But the American people and do it Mitchell and Gorbachev commitment Mitchell and Gephardt suggest go and dance on the wall with the young people. He could've been the stupidest thing at present guy in my -- could do. We didn't know how the Soviet military is gonna react. We did they were in their barracks -- we didn't know whether they were gonna just say to Gorbachev enough we're not gonna be kicked around like this. And so we. We use a little diplomacy. And it all happened peacefully. But. And -- a crazy idea for the American president -- is success and come over here. -- three points in the polls and they maybe maybe threaten the whole -- resolution."

" He spoke mind go about how you need to you -- grandstand on the wall came down. There was a lot of uncertainty -- about thirty of the unification of Germany patted me did not Margaret Thatcher wasn't wild about it like shake."

" Known who have -- reservations. Asserted that -- You gotta understand both of them had in mind very much in mind. There countries there you're being devastated by world war two and World War I. And they had in mind a militant Germany they had in mind. Would we wouldn't be good to have a unified Germany in the heart of Europe. In my view as Germany had earned the right. To have a democracy right there and -- here and so we have slight differences I think. They didn't come out against it that there -- very they were not enthusiastic but it that -- about the speed -- which it was happening."

" But it doesn't sound like it mean if you if you didn't live through the Cold War. In May not be hard. And may be hard to understand about how he how frightened people weren't an if -- than World War II of course with the end of the devastation here in Europe will work to. Yeah it's it's hard and a study says heart and a full appreciation of house -- What a huge event that was during your presidency that that wall came down there was a unification we -- was at this young giant."

" was -- and I think most people the United States -- it. You come to Germany like we did the last couple of days and cities emotion of the people with the strength."

" You never take credit for anything -- had -- exempt -- from this question so -- who -- that -- that they heroes summer on the wall coming down."

" Well I think -- I think clearly Gorbachev. And clearly call. And I would say the American side deserves credit. Per person varying and keeping keeping things going forward. Bringing Europe onboard make reassuring the polls that this is not detrimental to their interest. And you know making the world understand that this was a good good thing for everybody. So -- funny credit to go around and then that degree we'll take sound."

" In the months and days after and the days and months after the wall came down I mentioned there was a flurry of thought -- But where the world was gonna go from that what -- thoughts then in terms of you know what -- what Germany's role is going to be an in Europe."

" Well -- I think your opponent free with the goal of mine that I stated that in the speech and minds. Prior on this Europe whole and free. And I think it became a reality I think -- I think. That was a goal and an approved to be realizable goal."

" looking at the newspapers and media come here you're taking you guessed -- rock stars here really doesn't mean you utterly changed this country and in the eastern recently of course I mean of the way this this country as compared to what I was twenty point one years ago."

" Well I think period I think they were very generous and there are recognizing all in this. But I'm not sure how many I've talked to people about this how many of the young people in Germany remember. The divisions by the war about the -- I'm sure in our country people don't remember. Don't -- that interest and together they -- to go to an important events have on their own current events calendar. But I think a lot of people don't remember. How do this -- the wall was and what it meant for freedom on the wall came down."

" People who didn't live through this period time I think one of the best ways to save -- if you don't like to go to museum where there's a big chunk of the law. You can see on one side there's beautiful color crazy graffiti and sections on the other -- stark. And and coal from -- the Communist side just this just the physical piece of the law so this so talent."

" Telling -- that didn't -- the imagery it is sticks in my mind. -- a picture of a young man named Peter factor. Who was shot as he tried to get leave each chairman and -- They shot and and let him and left him bleeding to death in this so pound note no man's land between the east in the between the -- on that and the way. And and they then you see pictures of the guards -- see coming out dragging a man that would just lived it must still lives in my mind."

" What extent I think your own service in World War II has -- bearing on this you know this in as being. You know such -- I would assume that this a personal matter feel as well as them as a president."

" Well I don't know that it had direct bearing on how -- Handled German he's chairman and wolf coming down situation that -- military service -- million combat. With a fierce enemy in those days Japan. -- may very well. Because I realize -- you know. That without American power and American conviction. Good things wouldn't happen. I also realize that even though Japan was an enemy. You have to be enemies forever. And Japan is a friendly country. A democracy. And we can look -- them as dramatic change from the old old imperialists."

" all cognizant you know and it seems like it but it's disappearing from this planet but but I'm not create a clever seek out there."

" Yeah eventually Lou well eventually they'll be some change there they cannot hold out with this ridges. Totalitarianism. For too much longer I don't think."

" It's nice to see you Mr. President and that actually happened about premier busy schedule -- yeah and I'm sure that I'm sure that all the Germans are actually expect to see a preview here and there."

" History has brought come down most wonderful moment and I think and he -- bring back a lot of memories for impairments a lot of good memory."

" Thank you say."