Selected Events 2006

U.S. Vice Consul Mike Rousek (left) spoke to the guests on the eve of the commemoration program of the German Unification at the Höbach civic center (Photo: P. Tischer)

October 2, 2006
On the occasion of German Reunfication Day, the regional chapter of the Junge Union (youth organization of the Christian Democratic Union – the CDU) organized a program entitled, “Against the Oblivion of an Inhuman Border.” About 100 people took part in the ceremonies, which began with a silent protest march to the cemetery chapel in the town of Hönbach. One of the keynote speakers at this event was Michael Rousek, Vice Consul of the U.S. Consulate General Leipzig. He pointed out that the United States and Germany are partners and good friends, and emphasized the continuing close relationship between the two countries. In this context, Rousek also mentioned the good relations existing between the state of Thuringia and the U.S. Rousek also expressed appreciation for efforts to set up what had been lost between 1948 and 1989, and praised the current openness of the former border region. But Rousek made no secret of the fact that transatlantic controversies still exist. Other speakers were Sonneberg Mayor Sibylle Abel, Beate Meissner, Member of the State Parliament of Thuringia, and the Bavarian Secretary of State, Jürgen W. Heike. They forcefully stated that the past must not be forgotten.