The East German government, pushed toward reform by mass flight and protest, declared amnesty Friday for demonstrators, people who have left the country illegally and thousands jailed for trying to escape.
Leaders of the pro-democracy opposition praised the action, the most dramatic that Egon Krenz has taken since becoming Communist Party chief last week, but said more must be done.The amnesty covers incidents through Friday, but nothing has been said about future violations of the harsh legal code.
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Authorities also announced that rules requiring visas or passports to travel to Czechoslovakia will be lifted Nov. 1. The restrictions were imposed Oct. 3, after thousands of East Germans sought refuge in the West German Embassy in Prague.