Berlin Demolishes Cold War Memorial on July 4
>> Monument at historic Checkpoint Charlie to be removed by court order

BERLIN, June 24, 2005 - On Monday July 4, 2005 at 4:01 a.m. a demolition crew will arrive at the site of Checkpoint Charlie to remove a memorial erected to the victims of the Cold War division of Berlin and Communist oppression of East Germany. The monument privately financed by the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, adjacent to the site, has been in the crosshairs of those in Berlin who oppose the museum's efforts. Though the site has proven extremely popular with visitors to the city, attracting thousands of visitors per week, it has proven unpopular with Berlin's political establishment. Currently dominated by a coalition of the former Communist Party and the Social Democratic Party, the Berlin government has refused to support the effort though supporting dozens of other less significant historic sites across the city.

"Local politicians did not do anything to fulfill their promise to make at least part of this land a memorial." stated Alexandra Hildebrandt, Director of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and widow of the Museum's founder.

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the location visited by U.S. Presidents and ground zero in the standoff between Soviet oppression and the free West was sold by the city of Berlin for private development. For years, the property once the iconic crossing point between East Berlin and the American sector remained neglected as the Museum and its founder Rainer Hildebrandt repeatedly attempted to gain access to erect a memorial on the site. The controversy began when the Museum finally obtained a lease on the property last year. 

Currently held by the Bank Aktiengesellschaft (BAG), a conglomerate that gained ownership of the property following the failed development scheme, it was agreed to lease the property for approximately $20,000 per month to the Museum to erect a memorial. Fulfilling the vision of her late husband, who passed away just prior to granting of the lease, Alexandra Hildebrandt proceeded to invest nearly one half million dollars in the cleanup and development of the site. The museum removed tons of garbage and debris and erected 1,067 crosses representing individual victims, including three Americans, of the former East German communist regime.

Immediately the monument was criticized by certain elements of the Berlin public that felt this private initiative inaccurately depicted Berlin's forced division and called for its removal. Almost overnight, the site became one of the most if not the most visited Cold War memorials in the city. The emotionally charged atmosphere created by those largely among the left calling for removal of the memorial and those of the right largely applauding the courage and initiative of the museum fed the controversy and contributed to what appears to be its climax. 

"It is a shame it has come to this. Checkpoint Charlie is an icon of the great friendship between the United States and Germany. I am disappointed that those who took the initiative to memorialize this site have been blocked by those who seem to have no regard for its significance." stated Henry Nickel, Chairman of the U.S. Republicans Abroad and resident of Berlin.

Following expiration of the one-year lease, the BAG bowed to pressure and evicted the museum. Responding to the museum's pleas to reconsider, they have stated the only alternative is that the museum purchase the 1 1/2 acre parcel for an astronomical price of approximately $45 million, far exceeding the actual value of the property. The BAG has now directed enforcement of their eviction. Once again there is a standoff at Checkpoint Charlie.

To add insult to injury, the Berlin Magistrate's Court responsible for enforcement, scheduled the demolition to include complete removal of the crosses and Berlin Wall segment on the site to coincide with July 4th, U.S. Independence Day. The BAG subsequently refused to request rescheduling of the eviction despite strong recommendations by members of Berlin's American community. Coincidental maybe, but the message is clear. Despite its enormous success attracting tourism and business to a long forgotten quarter of the city and the unquestioned good faith on the part of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, it wasn't enough to stop those who wish to impose their version of history and reality upon others. The Wall may have disappeared in Berlin, but division remains.

UPDATE: Republicans Abroad sponsors exhibition on site July 3-4

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