US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton congratulated Germany days before the country celebrates 20 years of unity and an end to a divided Europe. "German unification is a remarkable story. It is a testament to the vision of Germany's leaders and the strength of the German people," dpa quoted Clinton as saying at a press appearance with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle Wednesday. Sunday marks the 20th anniversary of German reunification and an end to the Cold War division of Germany into East and West. Unity came less than one year after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of communist rule in East Germany. "Germany has shown the world that walls can be torn down, that communities can be stitched back together, that lasting peace is possible, even after long periods of division and discord," Clinton said. Westerwelle thanked the United States for supporting his country throughout the Cold War and for backing former chancellor Helmut Kohl's successful effort to reunify. "Without your unconditional support, our freedom and our unity would not have been possible," Westerwelle said, speaking English. "And this is something the German people will never forget to the American people."
