Lessons from the Berlin Wall
By Khalid A.
London, UK
Twenty years ago the Berlin Wall came down crashing on 10th Nov 1989. This event
changed the world for ever. Journalists reported that Mrs. Thatcher was very
anxious that the West should not display excessive jubilation that may backfire.
She advised France and Germany to maintain restraint. Fearing a coup, Mr.
Gorbachov also privately urged restraint, We should learn some important
political lessons from the above. Excessive jubilation displayed when one's
opponent is suffering from a political setback or disadvantage is always
counterproductive.
One may recall P.M. Gilani's negotiations with Manmohan Singh in Sharm-al-Shaikh. Our boisterous celebrations made it difficult for Manmohan Singh to continue on the path of appeasement. There were other similar episodes during the 1965 War and the Kargil misadventure.
We must not rub political salt in the opponent's wounds. But we can quietly pocket the `prize money'.
