NID: EAST GERMANY: FREE ELECTION SET ROUNDTABLE SHARES POWER

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe: A 30-Year Legacy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06826810
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 26, 2019
• Document Release Date: December 10, 2019
• Publication Date: December 8, 1989

Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826810
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EAST GERMANY: Free Election Set Roundtable Shares Power
In roundtable talks yesterday, Communist and opposition leaders agreed
that a free election will be held on 6 May; the � als r ed to oversee the
government and legislature in the interim.
The roundtable participants insist on being ,nvolved in all important
decisions and retain the right to submit their own proposals to the
public. l-lead of state Gerlach proposed that the roundtable decide
what action is to be taken against corrupt former leaders and propose
a new election law. The opposition New Forum has called on Premier
Modrow to declare his government transitional, dissolve the security
forces, and hold a referendum on electoral and constitutional
changes. In preparation for the party congress today, the Communists
yesterday published a draft program supporting a "treaty
community" with West Germany that could lead to "confederative
structures." The draft also suggests immediate incorporation of new
opposition groups into the government. At tile same time internal
security officials demanded an end to attack!, on local security
installations, saving that they have been broken into and security
officers injured.
Comment: The roundtable has the potential to become a parallel
government. Its agreement may increase the longevity of Premier
Modrow's government but will drastically limit his freedom of
action and probably involve him in political strife. The Communist
party's endorsement of power sharing also suggests that more
non-Communists will be added to his government
Setting a date for a free election will only partly satisfy citizens
-outraged by allegations of corruption. The le3islature will have to
move quickly to punish corrupt leaders and !;ecurity personnel.
The party platform's support for confederative structures�echoing
calls by Chancellor Kohl. Modrow, and two !.mall East German
parties�is intended to remove a potentially important bone of
contention and could facilitate some form of intra-Cierman political
rapprochement. The party's support for wider power sharing and
New Forum's statement may prompt Modrow to replace
Communists in his cabinet more quickly with mcmh rs from smaller
parties and the opposition
TCS 2984/89
Decembcr 1989
6.2(d)
6.2(d)
6.2(d)
6.2(d)
6.2(d)
6.2(d)
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826810
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826810
East Germany: Who Controls the Guns?
The resignation of the entirc: National Defense Council on
Wednesday has seriously wakened the Communist party's control
of the military. Premier Modrow probably now is the nominal
Commander in Chief of East Germany's military forces.
� He presumably exerc ises his authority through the new
proreform Defense Minister, Admiral Hoffman.
The military has publicly expressed support for the internal changes
and stressed that its role is 13 defend East Germany against external
threats and not to prop up Communist authorities against popular
opposition.
ecza,
TCS 2984/89
8 Decembcr 1989
Approved for Release: 2019/10/29 C06826810