Schabowski

One of the prominent figures who faced trial after unification because of the shootings at the Wall was East German Politburo member G ü nter Schabowski.

The Lives of Nazis, the Stasi and Others Lorenz Maroldt 2010

Harald Jeager, the deputy commander of the Bornholmer Strasse crossing, for instance, remembers laughing when he heard and saw Schabowski on the TV in the mess hall of his heavily armed barracks.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

“It is true I expressed myself badly,” Schabowski told me in the hotel lobby.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

Schabowski was by now exhausted and arguably not thinking straight.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

What Schabowski had said on live television in front of an audience that probably included most of the citizens of the DDR, was that the Berlin Wall would be opening “immediately, and without delay.”

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

We also know things Schabowski could not have known.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

We now know more than Schabowski was willing to tell.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

Schabowski told us he took one of the calls from the guards, and in turn called Krenz at around 11: 30pm as his gargantuan meeting was finally winding up.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

An Italian started badgering Schabowski without waiting to be called.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009

“On November 9th I was still a committed Communist,” Schabowski said.

Lapham's Quarterly: 1989: A Slip of the Tongue on the Night the Berlin Wall Fell 2009