[Culturechat] Many Germans Want Berlin Wall Back, Study Finds

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 18:12:16 EST

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Interesting item that was posted on the Drudge Report:   

 BERLIN (Reuters) - Nearly a quarter of western Germans and 12 percent of 
easterners want the Berlin Wall back -- more than 15 years after the fall of the 
barrier that split Germany during the Cold War, according to a new survey.

The results of the poll, published Saturday, reflected die-hard animosities 
over high reunification costs lowering western standards of living and economic 
turmoil in the east.

 The survey of 2,000 Germans by Berlin's Free University and pollsters Forsa 
found 24 percent of those living in western Germany want the Wall back -- 
double the eastern level.

 In Berlin itself, 11 percent of westerners and 8 percent of easterners said 
"yes" when asked: "Would it be better if the Wall between East and West were 
still standing?."

 The Berlin Wall was breached on Nov. 9, 1989, paving the way for the 
unification of Communist East Germany with the West on Oct. 3, 1990. But billions of 
euros (dollars) spent rebuilding the east have failed to prop up the depressed 
region, which is plagued by high unemployment and a shrinking population.

 The poll also found that 47 percent of the easterners agree with the 
statement that the West "acquired the east like a colony," while 58 percent of the 
westerners back the statement that "easterners tend to wallow in self-pity."

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<HTML><HTML>Interesting item that was posted on the=
 Drudge Report:&nbsp; 
 
 BERLI=
N (Reuters) - Nearly a quarter of western Germans and 12 percent of easterne=
rs want the Berlin Wall back -- more than 15 years after the fall of the bar=
rier that split Germany during the Cold War, according to a new survey.</FON=
T><B=
R>
 
The results of the poll, published Saturday, reflected die-hard animosities=20=
over high reunification costs lowering western standards of living and econo=
mic turmoil in the east. 
 
 The survey of 2,000 Germans by Berlin's Free University and pollsters Forsa=
 found 24 percent of those living in western Germany want the Wall back -- d=
ouble the eastern level. 
 
 In Berlin itself, 11 percent of westerners and 8 percent of easterners said=
 "yes" when asked: "Would it be better if the Wall between East and West wer=
e still standing?." 
 
 The Berlin Wall was breached on Nov. 9, 1989, paving the way for the unific=
ation of Communist East Germany with the West on Oct. 3, 1990. But billions=20=
of euros (dollars) spent rebuilding the east have failed to prop up the depr=
essed region, which is plagued by high unemployment and a shrinking populati=
on. 
 
 The poll also found that 47 percent of the easterners agree with the statem=
ent that the West "acquired the east like a colony," while 58 percent of the=
 westerners back the statement that "easterners tend to wallow in self-pity.=
"</HTML>

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