NID: EAST GERMANY: GOVERNMENT FALLS, PLENUM OPENS

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826781
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2019
• Publication Date: November 8, 1989

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826781
EAST GERMANY: Government Falls, Plenum Opens
The resignation of the entire gorernment yeste:Way and East German
leader Krenz's anticipated purge of additional hardliners at a Central
Committee plenum opening today probably will not stop the
demonstrations or mass emigration to the Irot that are undermining
Krenc's position.
Cabinet Resigns
Initial reactions were negative to the announcement that the cabinet
had resigned and the legislature would soon convene, perhaps as early
as tomorrow. to elect replacements. A sookc.mnn for th�pposition
group New Forum and
thousands or demonstrator's in several East German cities labeled the
move inadequate and called for free elect ion;. Demonstrators in East
Berlin last night marched on party headquar ens as the police
��atched.
Meanwhile. a legislative committee yesterda!� rejected as too
restrictive the go ernment's draft regulation easing travel to the
West. A Central Committee session slated to go three days begins
today against a background of demands t.nan: local party officials.
Communist academics. and the party's own �nth newspaper that the
Politburo step down.
Cm lllll esti: Krell/ undoubtedly engineered the cabinet's resignation.
a move that leaves his position as head of stz.te intact. He probably
will appoint more non-Communist ministers from members ofthe
four allied parties to try to appear responsivs to demands that the
Communists share power. Currently there is only one member
from each. It is possible. although less likely. that he will appoint a
non-( 'ommunist as premier. The legislative committee's rejection of
the proposed tras-el reforms suggests that the normally ruhherstamn
legislature may contest proposed cabinet choices
Krim/ will has e to move fast to maintain control over a rapidly
changing situation. At the party plenum. whi..:h is likely to be
contentious. Inc piohabls will try to purge more hardliners beyond the
seven already removed to consolidate his hold on the leadership.
I le also may move up the date for the next pilly congress�now
scheduled for Nlas I990�as some party members have demanded.
�Vithoot lncc elections. new opposition parti( S. or greater
assertiveness by the allied parties, none of thse moves will convince
East ciermans that the part is ready to share power. II East Germans
r(PM/Mted
"TRY4i4CLE1
T( 'S 2g50/89
ti No cm her
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I I�I I�I I
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Role of The Wall
Changing
keep neeing to the West. the increasing damage to the fragile
C01151 mer economy and growing public demoralization probably
svill build pressure for Kren7 to step down.
The Berlin Wall has lost most of its functional significance as
a barrier to disgruntled East Germans seeking freer travel and
cmigiation.
part of the Wall's function will become "illusory
becaLse of liberalized travel regulations.
the East Germans appear reccptive
o expand by four the number of checkpoints available for
publy use, including the Glienicke Bridge. which has been the site of
severd spy swaps. The Wall retains great symbolic value, however, as
an aging relic of the Cold War and Communist tyranny and�for
the E ist Germans�as a border that bolsters East Berlin's claim to
sovcr:ignty in the eastern sector of Berlin. a claim that violates
Four-Power agreements on the city.
Comment: Because it remains a potent symbol. the Wall could be used
for attention-getting gestures. including an announcement by Kren7
to tear it down to show that he is serious about change. It could also
be the scene of a destabilizing incident, such as a protest that gets out
of hand or a terrorist-style car bombing
The Last Germans have put their border troops along the Wall on
heightened alert presumably to
prevent such an incident. If East Berlin reimposes travel restrictions
or�less likely for now�attempts to crack down. the Wall would
regain much of its odium as a barrier to freedom.
"vs 29Owxy
S No, ember I 955
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826781