Auch Versöhnung braucht Zeit

The topics of conversation range from the challenge of remaining credible in the public eye to how to deal with the moral grievances and material deficits left behind by the socialist system. Access to the Stasi archives had been recently granted to victims of East Germany's secret police, provoking a chorus of indignation; how to address both the hurt and guilt? “Rather than burden our newly reunified country with this Stasi baggage I feel obliged, as an east German, to undertake an honest and earnest attempt at confronting the past. In saying that, I refuse to have a West German speak on my behalf. This is our business and by dealing with it we make a step towards regaining our dignity and self-esteem.” (W. Thierse, 1992). KF