MHM Forum

Here is the transcription of the Virtual Conference held on the 7th May 2007:

<AnnaPixel_IT> Bonjour Christine, it is 16.07 here
<AndreaPixel_IT> Hello to everybody
<mathiasBE> Hello Italy
<ChristineBE> thanks!
<mathiasBE> Hello everybody
<slawek_PL> Hello dear partners
<mikepl> Hallo partners. Good afternoon.
<irenapl> Hallo. Good afternoon!
<slawek_PL> On behalf of CKU Sopot we would like to welcome everybody and could we start with first topic to disscusion?
<slawek_PL> How was presented the firs human being's sucessful flight into the space on the western press' pages?
<mathiasBE> i can give the answer for belgium press
<slawek_PL> super
<mikepl> In Poland Gagarin's achievement was really glorified.
<IlseDE> In Germany (west) it is presented as a technical succes
<mathiasBE> All the newspapers of the French-speaking Belgian press give a very positive and filled with wonder metaphor of the event.. The greater part of the articles congratulates this technical achievement due to the scientific engineering of USSR and underlines the extraordinary potential that space conquest will bring to humanity in the future. Nevertheless, here and there, some articles often repeated in the foreign press emphasize t
<mikepl> Needless to say, Gagarin's success was attached by political context.
<mikepl> In Poland, of course.
<mikepl> However, the public opinion was very positively close to his achievement, because it really affected their colective imagination.
<IlseDE> A newspaper of the communist party in Westgermany interpretated Gagarins flight as a win of the political system of USSR
<mikepl> In your countries: what was the image of Gagarin- the person rather from the main stream or the back stream according to the political life?
<Kasia_PL> In polish press - Gagarin was called even The columbs of the space.
<fredFR> Gagarin was considered as a hero in France
<MathiasBE> Gagarine was presented like hero in belgium press
<fredFR> but the political background was exploited by the left wing press
<IlseDE> His flight was seen as a great event of all human beings.   
<MathiasBE> not to much in belgium
<fredFR> they presented the event as a victory of the communist system
<MathiasBE> it's not so clear in belgium press
<Anonymous> the Italian press recognized the greatness of the event
<MathiasBE> the main event it's scientific event
<irenapl> We even don't whether he had a university degree.
<mikepl> As faf as I know he had completed the Academy.
<IlseDE> The event was the most important thing, nor the person.
<Anonymous> the event spread more throughout the press than through the television
<mikepl> In Poland both the event and the persons were important.
<fredFR> SAME IN FRANCE
<mikepl> Because the persons were to give a new optimistic view and symbolize the system's freshness.
<MathiasBE> In Belgium a feeling of stepping forward in the field of sciences as well as the possibility of space travel never imagined before emerges when reading the Belgian press. Almost all the newspapers give details of this technologic feat and some push the positive aspect of this event for the entire mankind forward
<fredFR> French newspaper are more politicised
<irenapl> Gagarin turned our national attention to the matters of other side of reality.
<MathiasBE> the commnunist party was very important in France or Italy
<fredFR> moreover, there were the events in Algeria at the same time
<Anonymous> therefore the overall reaction of the common people was one of enthusiasm, curiosity, sense of wonder but lacked a real awareness of the greatness of the event
<Anna_PL> Ok, and we have another interesting issue: How was the Gagarin's death interpretated in your countries - officially and within common opinions?
<fredFR> as a sad event in France
<MathiasBE> sorry it's was not in the newspaper of 1961
<ChristineBE> Some Belgian newspapers wonder if Gagarine’s flight is really the first one or if another flight (attempt) took place with another cosmonaut aboard a few days before. This question comes further to an article published by the English Communist newspaper “Daily Worker�.
<IlseDE> In Germany there was a big rivalry between east and west, that means in that time between communist and democratic system. Therfore the event shocks the society
<mikepl> In respect to the forum I would like to add that the science people in the Soviet Union had really alkoholic problems connected with visible regime of their functioning within the system.
<slawek_PL> Have you heard any rumours that the Gagarin's flight was as a mystification?
<mikepl> The same rumours were appearing in Poland.
<fredFR> no - just for the 1st step on the moon, nothing about Gagarin
<MathiasBE> In Belgium, nevertheless, here and there, some articles often repeated in the foreign press emphasize the confused information given by the Soviet regime at the time of the event, some others put in doubt the veracity of the space flight itself. These articles aren’t very representative
<mikepl> As well, they referred to the American flight on the Moon.
<IlseDE> no rumors about a mystification
<mikepl> We agree that such articles cannnot be treated seriously.
<MathiasBE> yes
<fredFR> of course
<irenapl> All these facts were to set up a real spirale of common suspicions
<Anonymous> we did not research news on Gagarin's death, because we focused on the event rather than on what happened to him afterwards
<slawek_PL> I think we can move to 2nd issue: What influence did the USSR success take n the relationship between the USSR and USA? Is that question presented anywhere in various sources?
<MathiasBE> In Belgium, not many articles speak about the influence of this event on the relationship between USSR and USA. The newspapers repeat the congratulations of the American President John Kennedy and of some other western responsible persons (Scientists of the NASA, military and/or other Heads of State).
<MathiasBE> Some articles focus on the progress of both countries in matter  of space conquest (evocation of the first man on the moon planned for 1963). First of all this event is a Soviet success, newspapers praise this event as well as the hero of the day : Youri Gargarine.
<fredFR> the french government congratulated the soviet event too
<irenapl> Nevertheless, it started up the space race and a great economical progress outstanding to the space
<irenapl> It was the elment of the Cold War itself.
<Anonymous> The event accelerated the sense of competition from the USA while at the same time worsened the cold war and the fear of a soviet superpower
<irenapl> Thanks to the fact it was set in motion a great progess on the grounds of technology.
<Kasia_PL> Did your countries manage to introduce some scientific dialogue withe USSR independently of the temorary politics?
<fredFR> not particularly
<IlseDE> In Germany there was the so called Sputnik shock, the society felt an inferiority in technical area as a sign of political inferiority.
<MathiasBE> in belgium the partner for scientist was NASA in USA
<MathiasBE> not in USSR
<irenapl> While seen from our point of view we knew everything after "real time" of events.
<fredFR> we were more busy on nuclear weapons
<Anna_PL> What was the common impression as regards the first human flight into the space in respective countries - especially according to the interviews and witnesses' statements recorded?
<IlseDE> Later Germany made big efforts in the school and university education, but not with help of the USSR
<MathiasBE> In Belgium a feeling of stepping forward in the field of sciences as well as the possibility of space travel never imagined before emerges when reading the Belgian press
<MathiasBE> Almost all the newspapers give details of this technologic feat and some push the positive aspect of this event for the entire mankind forward
< Terni> Italy was going through its postwar economic boom, but had no openly declared dialogue with the URSS since it was part of NATO and followed the American guidelines in terms of foreign politics
<slawek_PL> Did the Gagarin's sucess contribute anyhow to the promotion of the socialistic ideas within the socialistic political parties in the western block?
<MathiasBE> On the other side, here and there articles place the event in a perspective of military use which would be dangerous for the balance of the world, if a country were the only one to possess space weapons.
<slawek_PL> Did the Gagarin's sucess contribute anyhow to the promotion of the socialistic ideas within the socialistic political parties in the western block?
<MathiasBE> Not many articles clearly make the link between Gargarine’s flight and the context of the Cold War or even this ideological opposition between the West and the Communist East
<MathiasBE> Only the Communist Belgian newspaper  “le Drapeau Rougeâ€� explains that thanks to this space success USSR shows that its ideals are the basis of a more rightful society which will bring happiness to the people of the Earth, if all of them would adopt the communist ideal
<Kasia_PL> And what general impact did the first flight into the space?
<MathiasBE> The other newspapers explain the scientific feat as such, without really making link with political contingencies, even if we can notice that Soviet authorities are largely associated to the achievement of the event.
<mikepl> The first flight into space had visibly influenced on the popularity of the technical studies in Poland.
<MathiasBE> In Belgium, newspapers mostly push the achievement of a scientific event forward.
<MathiasBE> From now on, in matter of space all seem possible. It’s a glorification of science
<Kasia_PL> Can we move to 2nd subject: Terrorist Attac in Munich?
<MathiasBE> Thanks to his knowledge, man succeed in beating back the limits of unknown. The press speaks about a step forward for the entire mankind and about its trust in the human knowledge for progress of humanity
< Terni > the communist party in Italy interprets the event as a legitimation of the URSS and of its own role within the national politics
<slawek_PL> yes
<MathiasBE> no problem for, go to Munich
<Kasia_PL> Are there any noticeable differences between presenting that event in the sources of different countries? Did your press present the background of this event?
<majoranaorvieto> in england there were some critics about the lack of mesure of security
<ChristineBE> in Belgium to
<majoranaorvieto> in belgium and in italy press did only describe the facts as they happened
<mikepl> Yes, in Poland it was also underlined, sometimes visibly against the West Germany's picture.
<Kasia_PL> Are there any noticeable differences between presenting that event in the sources of different countries? Did your press present the background of this event?
<Terni> welcome from Terni!
<mikepl> Hello Terni!
<ChristineBE> The Belgian newspapers underline that it was very easy to enter the olympic village
<majoranaorvieto> italian newspapers too
<IlseDE> German press presented as background that this games should be a contrast to the games in 1936 when Germany was a police government
<mikepl> Yes, the lack of responsibility was emphasised.
<ChristineBE> In their defence, the German responsible persons told that they didn’t want to give the Olympic Games a too authoritarian aspect, they probably had been blamed for that if nothing had occured.
<fredFR> the french press highly criticised the lack of security  and the ineffeciency of German police who didn't react properly
<IlseDE> The critical German magazine SPIEGEL makes clear that the wish to have an aera of peace was an illusion
<majoranaorvieto> in fact olys only were there to controll the area, the games and security
<Kasia_PL> what comments according to the West Germany's policies in respect to the event were presented in collected sources?
<fredFR> this put the question of symbolism as far as Jewish people were not taken into account more specifically if we considered the historical german background with Jews
<majoranaorvieto> germany was sorrounded and didn't think about the possibility of a terroristic attack to the olympic games.
<cecoslovacchia> the most part of the national press critics the terroristic attack
<ChristineBE> The choice was difficult for the German authorities, between "too much" or "not enough" security ...
<majoranaorvieto> in fact the police and terrorism had never regarded the olympic games. however it couldn't do anything because it wants to keep a stable position in the world system after the second world war.
<slawek_PL> what was the State of Israel's bound reaction in your press presented and in what was the demonsttrated in the sources?
<IlseDE> The SPIEGEL criticises the behaviour of German politicians, nobody felt responsible for that desaster
<cecoslovacchia> but some of polish press supported that olimpic games must be continue while other belgian newspapers told about an attack done by desperate people
<majoranaorvieto> the state of Israel arrives at a compromise with the terrorism, on the other side germany, israel wants to mantein its position
<mikepl> Did you fear that the situation could escape the control?
<ChristineBE> Do you speak about the bombing of Palestinian villages and refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria, on  Friday 8th September?
<cecoslovacchia> germany tried to manage the security after WWII but it didin't succeed
<majoranaorvieto> no we didn't talk about it yet
<mikepl> Yes, the probelm of bombing was really of importance.
<Anonymous> Terni is signing off. We thank all of those who participated
<Anna_PL> do the source present the general mood and atmosphere taking place among the sportsmen participating in the held Olympic Games?Had this fact influnce on the sport's results?
<cecoslovacchia> we have read that the states didn't stop this attack, like USA had not stop the war in Vietnam
<ChristineBE> Most of the Belgian newspapers criticize the Israeli government  by denouncing the answer – terrorist too – to the Munich attempt : the bombing of Palestinian villages and refugee camps in Lebanon and Syria, on  Friday 8th September.
<majoranaorvieto> sportsman didn't want to stop olympic games because they didn't think a terroristic attack
<cecoslovacchia> no one took the responsability of this event
<slawek_PL> Do you think that the Olympic Game should be closed?
<ChristineBE> Israel was very hostile to the restart of the games, but the Belgian press doesn’t really take sides. It only echoes the decision taken by the authorities, by respect for the athletes who still had to compete and to avoid the Olympic flame to be blown out by the dark forces of terrorism.
<mikepl> You think that every part of the conflict was observing only one's point of view?
<Anon391> after the attack in israel there was a sense of anger and veangace
<fredFR> france only reported the event but aked the necessity of continuing the games much later
<Anon391> they think that the tragedy could be avoid
<fredFR> who are "they" -who asked for revenge ?
<majoranaorvieto> oh
<slawek_PL> In what way did the respective countries declare their decision on the Olympic Games' resuming and was that agreeable with the Olympic honored ideas?
<Anon391> israelis think that the danger was underestimate by german polish
<majoranaorvieto> this decision to stop the olympic games arrives not in time because it doesn't know what happened
<IlseDE> In Germany we had a discussion about that topic but the majority was to continue the games
<ChristineBE> According to some Belgian newspapers, this event will put an end to the Olympic Games, like in 394 when the emperor Théodose the Fisrt abolished the olympic institution due to its decadence.
<MathiasBE> good answer collegue
<MathiasBE> ;o)
<Kasia_PL> can we find some annalogies between the terrorists'attack and the later -on attacks like e.g. Al Quaida's attack dated on 11th September 2001?
<majoranaorvieto> yes there are analogies. the attack had as a target the civil population the press
<cecoslovacchia> i think that an important analogy between the "old"and new terrorism was the use of mass mesia
<ChristineBE> Most of the Belgian newspapers refer to the previous attacks of the Palestinian group “Black September�, and predict new attempts for the future
<IlseDE> Yes there are - in my opinion the revenge
<majoranaorvieto> bye bye4
<cecoslovacchia> for example for threat and rivendication
<mikepl> However, the character of attacks changed somehow to the pattern of attacks from the inside.
<cecoslovacchia> the target in both terrorism was simbols of power
<ChristineBE> After the Munich attack, many newspapers declare the fight against terrorism has just begun...
<cecoslovacchia> bye bye
<cecoslovacchia> see you soon
<ChristineBE> Nearly 30 years later, It is also in September that Al Quaida will strike the heart of USA. In 1972, nobody could imagine the paroxysm of horror. If it is possible to understand the reasons of the Munich attack, the blind destruction of thousands innocent victims allows to fear other tragedies, anywhere and anytime.