He said later that all one needed to do to conduct a press conference was to be able to speak German and read a text without mistakes. Accordingly, he read the note aloud at the end of the press conference. One of the reporters asked when the regulations would come into effect. Schabowski assumed that it would be the same day based on the wording of the note, and he replied after a few seconds’ pause: “As far as I know… effective immediately, without delay.” (German: Das tritt nach meiner Kenntnis… ist das sofort… unverzüglich.)