This blog is primarily concerned with international issues, with particular reference to Europe and

This blog is primarily concerned with international issues, with particular reference to Europe and the Spanish foreign northpark university policy. But the United States, the Middle East, China and all that come to mind the conversation with readers. 'Del pin the elephant' is a tribute to Manuel Vazquez Montalban.
In mid October I had the opportunity to chat a couple of hours with Jordi Pujol, who was Catalan president for 23 years, referring to the second volume of his memoirs, which just appeared in Castilian with the title 'Time to build. Memoirs (1980-1993) ', published by the Barcelona in the Spanish Destination and Bow translation in its original version northpark university in Catalan. There was not enough with the conversation and then I had to send a questionnaire with questions that had been omitted. Set out the text of the interview published this Sunday El País Semanal northpark university (EPS). With a caveat. A part of the interview, the very dedicated almost exclusively to international politics, was left out by the known limitations offered the role. Thanks to digital facilities, I can give here the part of the conversation that can not be read in the print edition Sunday. northpark university
Q: The second volume of his memoirs runs from 1980 to 1993, the year that CiU becomes decisive northpark university force in the Spanish Parliament for the continuity northpark university of Felipe González as prime minister. In this period there is an exceptional year for the history of our world, 1989, you may not receive all the attention northpark university they require in his book What does it mean to you in 1989?
R: It was two very important things: one was another Tiananmen and the fall of the wall. I was on an official trip to China in the middle of the student demonstrations, but it was gone when the slaughter northpark university occurred. I saw two things: the square cordoned off and occupied by the army, was empty; we should open an exhibition of Tàpies and could not be done because we could not move to be near Tiananmen Square. I also saw some demonstrations, largely of boys on bicycles. He agreed on a day when the Government offered a concert of Montserrat Caballé and people came later, even some of the invited Chinese northpark university authorities.
A. There are two premonitory facts: In March I'm in Hungary and I met with the Prime Minister, Miklós northpark university Németh, and explains what they do and want to do. I remain a little surprised and asked how far they want to go with this development and he says they want to be like Holland Hungary, with a western democracy. That same day, I met with the Foreign Minister, Gyula Horn, and says that next week removed the fences separating Austria from Hungary.
R: I thought I was serious but not both. That summer, in August, through this border, there is a flight mostly Germans who will be spending the holidays in Hungary, namely Ballaton northpark university Lake, within the communist area. Later, northpark university someone who fled for the border ran and told me that they were terrified and a Hungarian guard told them that they had. This is a fact that forces you to ask: what happens here ?. Second fact, being vice president of the Assembly of European Regions-the president was an Italian named Carlo Bernini it tells me that there is a large boiling in the countries of Eastern Europe now let out as much; All are eager to have contact with Western countries and that they could be invited to one of our meetings. At that meeting, many people who came from Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania ... .el President northpark university of Slovenia, being part of communist Yugoslavia still says he wants to tell me something that I'll be happy. He knew I was Catholic and he said that "this northpark university year, for Christmas, for the first time in the communist world, Slovenia will celebrate Christmas and festive."
P: It was a paradox that all the rulers of western Europe were not Thatcher and Mitterrand, but a Spanish, northpark university Felipe González, who supported German unification such as Kohl raised.
R: No, it was not a paradox. France is a traditional northpark university adversary of Germany, and try to be very weak and conditional. And Britain also has never liked him a lot of strength in Germany with the Continent. Moreover, in my opinion is one of the moments where Felipe González had a brilliant performance and also with very positive effects for Spain. This, Felipe Gonzalez northpark university put Kohl in his pocket. Then Gonzalez Kohl those obtained by European cohesion funds that have been so important for public investment in Spain.
R: I think it had to do despite all the drawbacks, and did well. Fault could perhaps Kohl, for example p