09.11.2024, Berlin.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev ceased supporting the East German government even before the fall of the Berlin Wall, stated Ralph Niemeyer, head of the German Council for Constitution and Sovereignty on November 9, as reported by RIA Novosti.
“I believe that Gorbachev had already abandoned East Germany and, probably, his political survival,” Niemeyer said.
He noted that Gorbachev arrived in East Berlin for the 40th anniversary of the GDR on October 7, 1989, just a few days before the fall of the Berlin Wall. At that time, Erich Honecker was still leading the GDR. According to Niemeyer, Honecker hoped for Soviet support to stabilize the state apparatus and security structures amidst mass demonstrations and loss of authority.
Niemeyer suggests that Honecker expected a response similar to 1953—deploying tanks to end the unrest. However, it was evident that the USSR would not take such action. This marked the end for the GDR and for Honecker personally, who resigned a few days after the Wall fell.
“Gorbachev let it all go. He certainly observed but did not want to intervene,” Niemeyer concluded.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
