[dodis.ch/52957](https://dodis.ch/52957)TelegramTelegram No. 177 (incoming, translatedfrom Dutch): Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs BZ, 5eBloK[NA 2.05.392],inv.nr. 2128. Delivered by: 8 November 1989, 8.17p.m. from the Dutch Ambassador in East Berlin, EgbertJacobsEgbert Jacobs (*1945), [dodis.ch/P57545](https://dodis.ch/P57545), Dutch Ambassador inEast Berlin 1989–1990., to the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hansvan den BroekHans van den Broek (*1936), [dodis.ch/P57462](https://dodis.ch/P57462), Dutch Minister ofForeign Affairs 4.11.1982–3.1.1993.GDR InternallyConfidentialEast Berlin, 8 November 1989Is there a more significant symbol imaginable for the “revaluation of allvalues”Quoted in German: Umwertung allerWerte. in this country than a high official from the Ministry of theInterior who in a forum discussion on GDR-TV calls upon his fellow countrymen ontheir way to the Federal Republic to be sure to travel via border post a and notborder post b, because at border post a there is less traffic and things cantherefore be arranged much faster?
For all observers here reporting on the state of affairs in the GDR is now at leastas difficult as jumping on a speeding TGV as it passes. Now the Politburo hasresigned as well! The international media provide a good overall picture of thesituation, and in particular the West German media also offer enough grounds foranalysis and reflection. Nonetheless, I will not exclude you from some personal notesregarding the past week.
1.The big demonstration of last Saturday in Berlin has – apart from the exemplarypeaceful and at times even somewhat playful sequence of events – brought to light afew interesting things. First, the credibility problem still hangs like a millstonearound Krenz’Egon Krenz (*1937), [dodis.ch/P54794](https://dodis.ch/P54794), General Secretary ofthe SED 18.10.1989–3.12.1989 and Chairman of the GDR State Council18.10.1989–6.12.1989. neck. The rapid succession of concessional gestures,steps and decisions in the first weeks after his leadership acceptance has notprovided a “benefit of the doubt” position for him. During the rally the functionarywhom we would call the Dean of the Order of Attorneys in the Netherlands gave aspeech. Among other things, he openly praised Krenz for his de-escalatingintervention shortly after the heavy-handed police action on 6 and 7 October, whenthe tension in the country was high. A deafening protest was the speaker’s reward.The same thing happened when the speaker suggested that Krenz should be judged in theGDR on his actions and not for his words on the events in Beijing in June. A lot ofwater – and mercury – will need to flow under the bridge over the Elbe before Krenzwill manage to get into a position where the man in the street will givehim the benefit of the doubt. This is especially true because theskeleton in his closet for him is not so much his statement about Beijing, as hispresidency of the “Election Committee” of 7 May last. Now that the pressure tointroduce a radically new electoral law is becoming irresistible, it is inevitablethat and in the margin of this – also fundamental – discussion, the electoral fraudof May will be brought to the fore, which is still fresh in the memory. Krenz willnot be able to separate himself from this.
A second noteworthy aspect to last Saturday’s big rally (which, as far as I know, hasnot been reported internationally) was the total – repeat total – absence ofreferences to re-unification. Most of the banners that were carried had slogans witha fierce political content in relation to this country – not a subject remainsundiscussed in the streets, in public and “teach-in”-like meetings, and also on thenowadays in any case worthwhile GDR-television – but about re-unification there wasnot a word, not a slogan, not a chorus and not a banner. The preoccupation of boththe leaders of the block parties that were awakened from their hibernation and theleaders of the “Initiative”, and of the demonstrators in the street is still thereformation of the GDR. In Dutch newspapers I also read reflections of more or lessauthoritative opinion makers who all assume axiomatically that the end of the presentturbulent developments can only be re-unification. “The more freedom, the less GDR”,as it is crisply put. Be this as it may, the now unleashed public discussion in theGDR, which has no taboos, gives no evidence of this axiom. But maybethat does not apply to axioms.
2.The Volkskammer also awakes. The concept of the “Travel Law” had hardly beenpublished before the standing committee on justice completely rejected the draft.Personally, and admittedly based on conspiracy theories, I had assumed that thedesign would have some room “built in” for amendments by the Volkskammer, after whicha draft as amended by the Volkskammer would receive force of law. Although I do notknow the composition of this permanent committee it may be assumed that it will havea majority of SED members. On this politically white hot GDR issue with whichall representatives would like to show themselves aligned, thebudding profiling drive (also of the SED-representatives) has apparentlyovercome the usual party discipline.
Meanwhile the permanent committee for “Constitution and Law” of the Volkskammer hascharged the Presidium in unambiguous terms with laxity and has demanded an emergencysession with plenary debate.
3.In close interaction with the awakening of the Volkskammer the awakening of theblock parties is taking place. I have reported before on the pioneering role of theliberal LDPD and its chairman GerlachManfred Gerlach (1928–2011),[dodis.ch/P54812](https://dodis.ch/P54812), Chairman of theCouncil of State of the GDR 6.12.1989–5.4.1990.. He continues to fulfillthis role. As the first person belonging to the political establishment he recentlyquestioned the “claim to power and truth”Quoted in German:Machts- und Wahrheitsanspruch. of the SED. In the past 2months Gerlach has shown himself to be a good director of the interaction between hisown statements and the street protests, and there need be no doubt in my opinion thatthe promised new electoral law will in fact defray with the “leading role”Quoted in German: führende Rolle. of the SED.The question remains how the lawyers will shape things, taking into account that theMinister of JusticeHans-Joachim Heusinger (*1925): [dodis.ch/P57546](https://dodis.ch/P57546), Deputy Chairman Councilof Ministers of the GDR 1972–1989. – now obviously outgoing – is the onlyLDPD member in the government.
Gerlach has already been nominated for the presidency of the Volkskammer by his partyand he appears to me a good contender, also given the fact that Krenz clearly wantshim to (co-)play a prominent role. This would boost the activation process of theVolkskammer and would enable the LDPD, with a new chairman, to distance itself fromthe past, and therefore from the SED.
Meanwhile the NDPD has chosen a new chairman, the CDU is still working on this. Thepotential importance of a credible CDU-chairman is of course fundamental for therecovery of good relations with the churches, because these were in factnon-existent. And should it come to that, then it needs no argument that a strong,potential oppositional block could arise. The general break-up has now taken itsfirst victim in the Evangelische Kirche: the legion of “public officials who haveresigned”Quoted in German: zurückgetretene öffentlichePersönlichkeiten. has been reinforced with the Bishop ofGreifswaldHorst Gienke (*1930): [dodis.ch/P57547](https://dodis.ch/P57547), Bishop of Greifswald1972–1989. a few days ago, the most state-loyal Landesbischof in theEvangelische Kirche, the man who in July received HoneckerErichHonecker (1912–1994), [dodis.ch/P46563](https://dodis.ch/P46563),General Secretary of the SED and chairman of the GDR State Council29.10.1976–18.10.1989. at the consecration of the restored basilica inGreifswald, to the apprehension of his colleagues.
4.Amidst all the powder vapor it remains significant that still no personalitywith even a glimmer of charisma has risen to report “to speak”.Quoted in German: zu Wort. The line-up of speakers at thelarge Berlin rally included a number of well-known artists, Prof. Reich of the NeueForum, and also the former HVA-chief Markus WolfMarkus Wolf(1924–2006), [dodis.ch/P57548](https://dodis.ch/P57548), GDRspymaster and head of the STASI (Hauptverwaltung Aufklärung) 1952–1989.,all of whom are speakers of an almost sleep-inducing dullness. The SED secretary inDresden, ModrowHans Modrow (*1928), [dodis.ch/P54796](https://dodis.ch/P54796), Chairman of the GDRCouncil of Ministers 13.11.1989–12.4.1990., now internationally typified asa “reformer”, is in the lead in a demonstration that specifically demands the“renunciation of the monopoly on power and truth”Quoted inGerman: Verzicht auf Machts- und Wahrheitsmonopol. of his ownSED, but in his public appearance he has the characteristics of an alderman fromOotmarsumVillage on the eastern border of the Netherlands,[dodis.ch/G15397](https://dodis.ch/G15397).. The sameapplies in my opinion to Günther SchabovskiGünter Schabowski(1929–2015), [dodis.ch/P56902](https://dodis.ch/P56902), memberof the SED Politburo and spokesman of the GDR government 1989., whoincidentally was the only major SED-functionary (Politburo) to speak at the bigBerlin rally and hardly got a word in, because he was constantly being shrieked down.A bad omen for this “reformer” who will presumably receive a heavier portfolio withinthe Politburo (economy?, media?).
Also noticeably absent from the stage are actors with a conservative background. Ifthere is a GDR-LigachevYegor Ligachev (*1920), [dodis.ch/P57414](https://dodis.ch/P57414), Second Secretary ofCommunist Party of the Soviet Union 10.3.1985–14.7.1990. he dares notmanifest himself as such. I find this deceitful, because it is difficult to conceivethat there is no conservative wing within the SED. In the euphoria of the moment itis too easily assumed that there are really no communists left in the GDR.
5.Today the Central Committee of the SED has gathered for its 3-day meeting. Itis expected that this assembly will also demand an emergency session of theVolkskammer, with plenary debate, bringing forward the date of the elections for theVolkskammer (which Krenz mentioned were tentatively planned for mid- ‘91 just twoweeks ago), a special SED Party Congress to be held this year – the regular Congressis scheduled in May ‘90 – a directive statement on emigration (which will take intoaccount the rejection of the draft submitted by the government), on a new electorallaw, on the economy, and a new Politburo. At the very least.
6.And finally: there are still no strikes. Instead people are working extra time,more and more. How is it possible.