Erich Honecker stands down

Published: Oct. 18, 2011, 8:33 a.m.

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On 18 October 1989, the East German communist leader, was forced from power.

He had been slow to react to the changes within the Soviet bloc.

Three weeks after he left office, the Berlin Wall came down.

(Photo: Honecker meets Gorbachev in October 1989. Associated Press)

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