Facts & Figures

BER launch campaign welcomes the world

Willy Brandt – stages of his life

1913 Born on 18 December in Lübeck 1930 Joined the Social Democratic Party of (SPD) 1933–1945 Exile in Norway and Sweden, resistance to the Nazi Regime in Germany 1936 Illegal sojourn in Berlin 1945–1947 Return to Germany as a correspondent for Scandinavian newspapers 1947 Press attaché at the Norwegian military mission to the Allied Control Council in Berlin 1948 Representative of the SPD's Executive Committee in Berlin 1949–1957, 1961 Deputy for Berlin in the German Bundestag 1950–1971 Member of the Berlin House of Representatives 1955–1957 President of the Berlin House of Representatives 1957–1966 Governing Mayor of Berlin 1964–1987 Chairman of the SPD 1966–1969 Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor 1969–1974 Federal Chancellor 1969–1992 Member of the German Bundestag

Willy Brandt's important trips abroad

I. As Governing Mayor of Berlin (1957–1966)

1959 world trip Supported by the Federal Government in , who invests DM 50 million in a large-scale "Berlin campaign", Willy Brandt embarks on a world trip in the role of special ambassador. The Governing Mayor is tasked with promoting the cause of a free Berlin in America and Asia, including the so- called "non-aligned countries". Two days before his departure, at the Bonn Villa Hammerschmidt, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Theodor Heuss, awards him the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany – the country's highest accolade – according to legend, saying: "To stop you looking so naked abroad". Over the next 30 days, Willy Brandt visits 15 cities, including Ottawa, Washington, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Bombay and New Delhi. He is received by the Japanese Emperor Hirohito. The people of New York welcome the Governing Mayor with a confetti parade. Willy Brandt hands out over 2,000 Brandenburg Gate badges, intended to symbolise the solidarity of the citizens of a free world with West Berlin. After the trip, Willy Brandt is regarded as a world-class politician.

Funeral service for President John F. Kennedy, November 1963 President John F. Kennedy and Willy Brandt hold each other in high regard – and not just since Kennedy's legendary trip to Berlin in June 1963 ("Ich bin ein Berliner!"). On 22 November 1963, the US President is murdered in Dallas; the world is in shock. On 25 November, a funeral service is held at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington. Willy Brandt is one of five German statesmen present: in addition to Federal President Lübke and Federal Chancellor Erhard, Foreign Secretary Schröder and Defence Secretary von Hassel also fly to the American capital. Brandt is given preferential treatment by the Kennedy family: during the mass in Washington's St Matthew's Cathedral he is seated amongst friends of the family. Afterwards, Jacqueline Kennedy invites him, and only him, to the White House, where the closest family members are gathered. Referring to the trip to Berlin in June, the widow tells Brandt: "John was deeply impressed that day. Thank you for renaming the square in front of Schöneberg Town Hall John-F.-Kennedy-Platz." Jacqueline's brother-in-law Robert Kennedy adds: "My brother loved Berlin."

II. As Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor (1966–1969)

Meeting of the NATO Council of Ministers in Reykjavik, June 1968 Since the early 1960s, all signs have been pointing towards an easing of tension between the two superpowers, the USA and the .

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NATO must respond. The "Reykjavik Signal" – the joint declaration by the NATO Council of Ministers dated 25 June 1968 – clearly bears the hallmark of Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs Willy Brandt. NATO intends to pursue a dual strategy of deterrence and détente. The Warsaw Pact leads to negotiations to reduce the number of troops and thus reduce the threat of war. The ultimate goal is to create "lasting peace in Europe".

III. As Federal Chancellor (1969–1974)

EC summit in The Hague, December 1969 At the summit meeting of heads of state and government of the member states of the European Community, staunch European Willy Brandt is instrumental in overcoming the crisis that has been brewing for years: by pursuing the path to monetary union, better coordinating the foreign policy of the member states, and giving the European Parliament greater rights. The way to EC accession (on 1 January 1973) is also paved for Great Britain, Denmark and Ireland. Today, these summit meetings are held under the "European Council".

Signing of the Treaty of Moscow, August 1970 On 12 August 1970, Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt and Soviet Prime Minister Alexej N. Kossygin sign the "treaty on the renunciation of force and the inviolability of existing borders". The Treaty of Moscow was negotiated by and is the first successful step in the "Neue " (new Eastern policy) of the social-liberal government in Bonn. The Federal Republic of Germany waives the right it has so far claimed to speak on behalf of all Germans and thus the people of the GDR (claim to sole representation). Bonn also declares that it will not make any territorial claims against a third state. The Oder–Neisse Line along Poland's western border, which was devised at the end of World War II, is thus acknowledged. The Bonn trick: European borders are declared inviolable and untouchable, but not – by mutual consent – unchangeable. This clause leaves the way open for the unification of the two German states at some time in the future.

The Warsaw Genuflection, December 1970 On 7 December 1970, Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt kneels down in the centre of the Polish capital in front of the memorial for the victims of the uprising in the Warsaw ghetto: "Under the weight of recent history, I did what people do when words fail them. In this way, I commemorated millions of murdered people." The picture of the "Warsaw Genuflection" is distributed around the world. It represents a pacific Germany that is fully

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aware of its responsibility – and a politician and statesman, who sets moral standards far beyond his country's borders. On the very same day, the is signed; another milestone in normalising relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and its neighbours in the East. The Federal Republic recognises the Oder–Neisse Line as the "western state frontier of the Polish People's Republic". Both countries pledge to renounce violence and are committed to the inviolability of existing borders in Europe.

Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, December 1971 On 10 December 1971, he is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo for his Neue Ostpolitik and his efforts to achieve greater European unification. "The great honour bestowed upon me by the awarding of this prize", explains Brandt in his acceptance speech, "can only, I believe, be understood as an encouragement to my political endeavours, not as a final judgement upon them – and, may I add, how much it means to me that it is my work 'on behalf of the German people' which has been acknowledged. That I was permitted, after the unforgettable horrors of the past, to see the name of my country brought together with the will for peace."

First German Chancellor in Israel, June 1973 Willy Brandt is the first German Chancellor to visit Israel in June 1973. Prime Minister Golda Meir welcomes him by saying: "You will be welcomed in Israel with the respect due to a man, who in the darkest hour of humanity and above all the Jewish people joined those fighting against the Nazis." In Israel, as in 1970 in Poland, Brandt is one of the few German politicians who can hope for any kind of public sympathy. A short while later, Brandt declares to the German Bundestag: "I do not hesitate to repeat here that I consider this trip to be one of the most important experiences in my political career." He goes on to underline his great respect for Golda Meir and emphasises that "the Prime Minister had the admirable courage to offer our people Israel's friendship, despite our historical background."

Speech to the United Nations General Assembly, September 1973 The treaties with the Warsaw Pact states paved the way for the two German states to join the United Nations. On 26 September 1973, Willy Brandt becomes the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany to appear before the UN General Assembly in New York. In what appear to be very personal words, he says of Germany: "I am speaking to you as both a German and a European. To be more precise: my people live in two states, but have not ceased to regard themselves as one nation. We have come to take global responsibility – based on our convictions and within the realms

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of our possibilities. As the Federal Republic of Germany, we will continue to work towards a state of peace in Europe, in which the German nation too can recover its unity in free self-determination."

IV. As elder statesman (1974–1992)

Handing over of the "Brandt Report" in New York, February 1980 After resigning as Federal Chancellor, Willy Brandt embarked on an unexpected career as elder statesman. His efforts to establish global political cooperation continue to attract worldwide attention. In 1977, Brandt, who has also been President of Socialist International since 1976, chairs an "Independent Commission for International Development Issues". He is able to get renowned politicians and experts from various developing and industrialised countries on board for the "North–South Commission". On 12 February 1980, Brandt hands over the "North–South Report" – known throughout the world as the "Brandt Report" – to the United Nations Secretary-General in New York. The report reviews the development policy and calls for poorer countries in the South to be better integrated in the global economy. The North–South Commission pledges to take the necessary steps to improve the economic and social situation in developing countries. At the same time, the rich industrialised countries in the North are called upon to share their resources and power with the countries in the South. The report also contains a set of proposals for reforming and transforming the global economic system and evaluates the introduction of a new world economic order as a key contribution towards safeguarding the joint survival of the human race.

First encounter with Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow, May 1985 In March 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev took over the helm in the Kremlin as the new General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Great hopes are pinned on Gorbachev, the "reformer", and not just in the Soviet Union. People all over the world hope that momentum and an easing of tension will be restored in East-West relations. On 27 May 1985, Willy Brandt is able to speak at length with Gorbachev in the Kremlin, like no other Western politician before him. He seems impressed with the new Kremlin boss: "I have met a remarkable, able, problem-oriented, resolute yet flexible dialogue partner." The political views of Brandt closely resemble those of Gorbachev, especially in matters of international security and disarmament. Both politicians maintain a close relationship up until the death of Willy Brandt in 1992.

Warsaw trip, December 1985

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SPD leader Willy Brandt visits Poland in December 1985. East and West find themselves in a new phase of the Cold War since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and against the backdrop of an accelerated arms race. During a keynote speech in the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Brandt outlines the potential for a security partnership and peace in Europe, emphasising the fact that: "Europe needs Poland." The political situation in Poland, where from 1981 to 1983 martial law reigned, and human rights are topics of discussion with head of state and party leader General Jaruselski.

Following the fall of the Wall, Berlin, 10 November 1989 It is not until the early hours of 10 November that Willy Brandt receives a call from a journalist informing him of the fall of the Berlin Wall late the previous evening. On 9 November, Brandt and his wife, Brigitte Seebacher, moved into the newly built house in on the banks of the ; the move keeps Brandt so busy that there is no time to even switch on the TV. Willy Brandt flies straight to Berlin that morning on board a British military plane. He is deeply moved by events: "I thank the Lord that I was able to experience this!" Wherever he goes, cheering fans greet the man who paved the way in the long run to German reunification with his Neue Ostpolitik. Speaking in front of the Brandenburg Gate, he formulated the famous words which later became a slogan for the German unification process which was now beginning: "What belongs together is now growing together."

Consolidation: Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation

The Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation

The Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation was set up in 1994 by the German Bundestag and is based in Berlin. It serves to commemorate Willy Brandt's contribution towards peace, freedom and the unity of the German nation, the unification of Europe and towards maintaining reconciliation and understanding among nations – through historical research and political education. On 19 June 2012, the Forum Willy Brandt Berlin (Unter den Linden 62–68) will reopen with a new, permanent Willy Brandt exhibition. The Foundation also maintains the Willy Brandt House in Lübeck, the birthplace of the former Federal Chancellor. www.willy-brandt.de

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Dr. Wolfram Hoppenstedt, historian and political scientist, specialist advisor in the Federal Office for Refugees as of 1994, Director of the Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation in Berlin since 1996.

Hans-Wolfgang Zeitz, retired Chief Inspector, joined the Bavarian state police in 1968, later joined the Federal Criminal Police Office of Germany (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA), and became a member of the Close Protection Unit (Sicherungsgruppe) in Bonn-Bad Godesberg in 1976. The personal bodyguard of Willy Brandt – who enjoyed the highest level of security until the very end – from 1976 up until the politician's death in 1992. Zeitz was also exchange officer at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia ("Willy Brandt always loved telling others about it."). He accompanied the elder statesman for 14 years in 80 different countries.

Press contact

Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation Dr. Wolfram Hoppenstedt Managing Director Forum Willy Brandt Berlin Unter den Linden 62–68 D-10117 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 7877-070 Fax: +49 30 7877-0750 www.willy-brandt.de

Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH Press Office Ralf Kunkel Tel.: +49 30 6091-70100 Fax: +49 30 6091-70070 www.berlin-airport.de www.facebook.com/berlinairport

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