Excerpt from Interview with Günter Schabowski, November 9, 1989
Schabowski: (. . . scratches his head) You see, comrades, I was informed today (puts on his glasses as he speaks further), that such an announcement had been (um) distributed earlier today. You should actually have it already. So, (reading very quickly from the paper):
1) “Applications for travel abroad by private individuals can now be made without the previously existing requirements (of demonstrating a need to travel or proving familial relationships). The travel authorizations will be issued within a short time. Grounds for denial will only be applied in particular exceptional cases. The responsible departments of passport and registration control in the People's Police district offices in the GDR are instructed to issue visas for permanent exit without delays and without presentation of the existing requirements for permanent exit.”
Question: With a passport?
Schabowski: (um . . .)(reads:) “Permanent exit is possible via all GDR border crossings to the FRG.[2] These changes replace the temporary practice of issuing [travel] authorizations through GDR consulates and permanent exit with a GDR personal identity card via third countries.”
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
Which of the following is MOST politically notable about the content of the interview regarding the Cold War tensions at the time?
A.
the qualifications necessary to travel outside of the Soviet Union
B.
the new ease with which German citizens could travel to the United States
C.
the difficulties entailed in traveling between Soviet- and U.S.-controlled areas of Berlin
D.
the new ease with which one could travel between Soviet- and U.S.-controlled areas of Berlin