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PM at Berlin Wall commemoration PM at Berlin Wall commemoration
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has paid tribute to "the unbreakable spirit of men and women who dared to dream" at an event marking 20 years since the Berlin Wall fell. Gordon Brown has paid tribute to the "unbreakable spirit" of those who "dared to dream" at an event marking 20 years since the Berlin Wall fell.
The prime minister is taking part in commemorations in Germany hosted by Chancellor Angela Merkel.The prime minister is taking part in commemorations in Germany hosted by Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Also present are French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.Also present are French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Mr Brown lauded the ordinary people who brought down the wall.Mr Brown lauded the ordinary people who brought down the wall.
'Swept away''Swept away'
The date 9 November marks the 20th anniversary of the wall's collapse.The date 9 November marks the 20th anniversary of the wall's collapse.
The event ushered in the end of Soviet communism and Germany's reunification.The event ushered in the end of Soviet communism and Germany's reunification.
The wall is gone. Two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one. Two Europes are one Gordon Brown Cold War memories frozen in time Send us your comments Because of your courage two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one and now two Europes are one Gordon Brown Cold War memories frozen in time Send us your comments
In his speech, Mr Brown acknowledged its historic scale. In his speech, Mr Brown acknowledged its historic scale and the role of Berliners.
"The wall that had imprisoned half a city, half a country, half a continent, half a world for nearly a third of a century was swept away by the greatest force of all - the unbreakable spirit of men and women who dared to dream in the darkness, who knew that while force has the temporary power to dictate, it can never ultimately decide," he said. "You tore down the wall and you changed the world. You tore down the wall that for a third of a century had imprisoned half a city, half a country, half a continent and half the world.
"Its majesty lies not in the presence of a structure, but in its absence. The wall is gone. Two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one. Two Europes are one." "And because of your courage two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one and now two Europes are one."
He added: "This wall was torn down not by leaders, not by from on high, not by military might. This wall was torn down by the greatest force of all - the unbreakable spirit of the men and women of Berlin.
"You dared to dream in the darkness. You knew that while force has the temporary power to dominate, it can never ultimately decide."
Ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa and former West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher are also in attendance.Ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa and former West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher are also in attendance.
'Changing history''Changing history'
Marking the anniversary, Conservative leader David Cameron said the fall of the Berlin Wall had "changed the face of Europe and the course of history".Marking the anniversary, Conservative leader David Cameron said the fall of the Berlin Wall had "changed the face of Europe and the course of history".
"The most important lesson of 1989 was the power of the human spirit, whatever the odds," he said."The most important lesson of 1989 was the power of the human spirit, whatever the odds," he said.
"Ultimately, it was the decisions of thousands of brave individuals who refused to put up with oppression which brought an end to Communist dictatorship in central and eastern Europe."Ultimately, it was the decisions of thousands of brave individuals who refused to put up with oppression which brought an end to Communist dictatorship in central and eastern Europe.
"It is to their courage and their determination that we pay tribute.""It is to their courage and their determination that we pay tribute."
It is expected that behind the scene of the celebrations, European leaders will take the opportunity to consider the EU's future direction in the wake of the Lisbon Treaty.It is expected that behind the scene of the celebrations, European leaders will take the opportunity to consider the EU's future direction in the wake of the Lisbon Treaty.
Candidates for the new posts of president and high representative - effectively, the EU's foreign minister - created by the treaty are likely to be discussed.Candidates for the new posts of president and high representative - effectively, the EU's foreign minister - created by the treaty are likely to be discussed.
Although former Prime Minister Tony Blair's chances of taking the top job appear to have diminished, speculation has persisted that Foreign Secretary David Miliband could get the high representative post - despite Mr Miliband's insistence that he is not a candidate.Although former Prime Minister Tony Blair's chances of taking the top job appear to have diminished, speculation has persisted that Foreign Secretary David Miliband could get the high representative post - despite Mr Miliband's insistence that he is not a candidate.