This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8349740.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| PM marks Berlin Wall anniversary | PM marks Berlin Wall anniversary |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 took part in commemorations in Germany hosted by Chancellor Angela Merkel. | The prime minister took part in commemorations in Germany hosted by Chancellor Angela Merkel. |
| Also present were French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. | Also present were French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. |
| Mr Brown said there was "nothing that cannot be achieved by people inspired". | Mr Brown said there was "nothing that cannot be achieved by people inspired". |
| '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. |
| Because of your courage two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one and now two Europes are one Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/uk/8335594.stm">Cold War memories frozen in time Send us your comments | |
| 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. |
| In his speech, Mr Brown acknowledged its historic scale and the role of Berliners. | In his speech, Mr Brown acknowledged its historic scale and the role of Berliners. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "And because of your courage two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one and now two Europes are one." | "And because of your courage two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one and now two Europes are one." |
| He said: "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. | He said: "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." | "You dared to dream in the darkness. You knew that while force has the temporary power to dominate, it can never ultimately decide." |
| Mr Brown added that "what seems impossible - an end to nuclear proliferation, an end to extreme poverty, an end to climate catastrophe - can become possible and be unstoppable, thanks to the power of people united in common endeavour". | Mr Brown added that "what seems impossible - an end to nuclear proliferation, an end to extreme poverty, an end to climate catastrophe - can become possible and be unstoppable, thanks to the power of people united in common endeavour". |
| Ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa and former West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher were also in attendance. | Ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa and former West German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher were 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". |
| Mr Brown delivered his speech at the Brandenburg Gate | Mr Brown delivered his speech at the Brandenburg Gate |
| "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." |
| Behind the scenes at the celebrations, European leaders were thought to have been discussing the EU's future direction in the wake of the Lisbon Treaty. | Behind the scenes at the celebrations, European leaders were thought to have been discussing the EU's future direction in the wake of the Lisbon Treaty. |
| New posts of president and high representative - effectively, the EU's foreign minister - are being created by the treaty. | New posts of president and high representative - effectively, the EU's foreign minister - are being created by the treaty. |
| 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. | 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. |
| However, the BBC understands he has rejected the opportunity and friends say he "sees his future in British politics". | However, the BBC understands he has rejected the opportunity and friends say he "sees his future in British politics". |