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OPK File Illlusion

[Translators note: OPK is the abbreviation for a security process, which is explained on the bottom of page 3 of the PDF, in English. Translation reprinted below.]

MfS XV 4088/87 Surveillance operation Illusion (File No.: 1068/91, vol. 1)

Inclusive dates 1987 1989 Synopsis: Operative personal monitoring operation (OPK) targeted at a freelance journalist who lived in Berlin. The state security service had noted that this journalist had also authored poems and song lyrics that opposed the current SED politics. The OPK operation was launched because the journalist had mounted a banner on a rooftop on the eve of May 1, 1987 that read: To learn from the Soviet Union is learning how to win and because he was suspected of intending to form a subversive group.

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Table of contents

OPK file Illusion

1.Table of contents 2. Overview form of OPK Initiation report to the OPK Catalogue of measures for the OPK Progress report on the OPK Info on the incident on May 1st, 1987 Info on the formation of a hostile group

1 2 3-7 8-9 10-18 19-20 21-24

Note to the file on the conversation with _____ 25-28 IM report on _______________ Handwriting samples Final report 32 33 29-31

Page 3 [Translators note: The top half of the page is translated into English on the bottom half of the page.]

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Overview form on the OPK

Reasons for initiation ________________ is performing songs and poems of his own composition in public which display a critical viewpoint of the societal system.

Objectives of the OPK - Investigation of hostile activities , plans and intentions of _________, the objective is to provide efficient prevention of these - Explication of significant contacts and relationships including potential instigators/organizers from operational area -Development of character profile for _________________ in order to identify reasons and motives for his hostile disposition Decision of initiation ______________________ Colonel, August 31 st, 1987 IMs/GMs in charge of the operation IM Uwe Wenzel

IM Paul Steinke

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Reasons for termination of the OPK Due to the changed political development in the GDR, as well as the abandonment of previous erroneous security policies, further pursuit of the OPK is not justified anymore. Dec 6th, 1989 Signature

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Major division XX/9

Berlin, August 11th, 1987

Initiation report on the OPK Illusion According to the ministry guidelines, instructions are given to conduct an OPK on Name: ______________________ Place and date of birth: ____________________________ Profession: journalist Occupation: freelance copywriter Party membership: SED 1967 -1985, resigned Marital status:_______________ Home address: 1055 Berlin Police record: none

1.Personal data ___________________ was born to the administrative employee _____________ and the salesclerk ________________________. He has a sister, ___________________________.

After completing elementary school and high school, _____________ studied journalism from 1967 -1971 at the Karl-Marx University in Leipzig, according to a resolution of the FDJ in Karl-Marx-Stadt [todays Chemnitz].

After successful completion of his degree, he began his position as a journalist at ____________________, at the editorial office of ______________________.

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Both at school and at university, as well during his position as a journalist at _____________, which ended in 1979, _________________ was uniformly held in high regard for his outstanding professional skills as well as for active social engagement. The final assessment in his high school diploma is quite representative of this: Ever since the school was founded, we have rarely had a young person who fulfilled their duties with such enthusiasm, conscientiousness and calm, while also adhering firmly to his principles. Since the beginning of his professional career, his political views began to deteriorate. When he moved from ______________ to ________________ he began to socialize with people who hold a predominantly negative view of the political development in our state. _____________ began to identify himself more and more with their views and also expressed this in the texts he wrote. This caused a dispute on political and ideological matters with __________ of the writers association in Neubrandenburg, where he had been registered as a party member. This dispute resulted with the expelling of _________ from the SED in 1985. He commented on this in the following way: I am in a conflict with the party, my main conflict is that I am being forced to pretend and to lie in my work as a journalist. I am not able to represent and endorse party politics any longer. I am not willing to keep quiet any more, instead, I want to freely put my thoughts onto paper. I root for an unrestrained freedom of press as Rosa Luxemburg had imagined it; the SED has alienated itself from the masses. In his current activity as a freelance writer, he is composing poems and lyrics that include hostile and negative content, and he does so for the operatively known singers: ___________________________________________ _____________ himself likes to read his texts____________________ in public. __________ wife: ______________, resides in 1055 Berlin. __________ son: _______________, born on ________ in Berlin.

Pages 8-10 __________ wife: ______________, resides in ______________ __________ son: _______________, born on ________ in Berlin.

2. Operative issues at hand It has come to our attention that ______ is planning to start an underground group and gain public attention through hostile activities, but without breaking criminal law and other legal regulations. The following intentions and objectives are being pursued: 1. Attaching slogans to subway trains in Berlin. By combining different slogans that are being used in our political system on various occasions, an anti-slogan shall be created which is designed to ridicule slogans used in public. These activities are furthermore meant to demonstrate to the public that an underground movement exists, and that there is resistance against the monotonous politics of the SED and the lack of individual influence on this politics. ____________ imagines these slogans to be stamped onto posters in public, as well as onto inside Berlin subway trains. 2. Distribution of leaflets in apartment buildings in Berlin. 3. Distribution of bulk mail. In conversation with unofficial sources, _____________ has already expressed the intention to make these hostile and negative activities known to western mass media. As a test for the planned activities and their confidentiality, ________ and two other operatively known persons mounted a banner on the rooftop of a house in Schnhauser Allee in Berlin that read, Learning from the Soviet Union means learning how to be victorious. When he was questioned about his reasons for making the banner, ______________ replied that he was a proponent of the current political development in the UdSSR and wanted to alert the public to the fact that these processes were of great importance for the GDR as well. As far as we know, ________ intends to involve the following individuals in his activities:

1._____________, living in 1100 Berlin 2._____________, see above 3.____________, living in 1055 Berlin 4.______________, living in 1058 Berlin 5. _____________ As an author and member of the group, _____________ makes public appearances with the poems and songs he writes. There is unofficial consensus that these texts demonstrate a clearly negative view of the existing political system in the GDR. Their overarching message is that the current circumstances need to be criticized, rejected and changed. In addition to cooperating with the hostile group ___________, __________ advises the singers____________ and ___________, and is preparing them for a public performance at ____________________. Due to the reasons considered above, we come to the conclusion, that ________: 1.intends to sabotage party politics in public without breaking criminal law and other legal regulations. 2. is distributing his hostile and negative views towards our state through his poems and song lyrics and is thereby making them public. To elucidate, investigate and estimate the issues at hand, a separate catalogue of measures is being created.

Major _____________

Captain ______________

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Major division XX/9 1987

Berlin, August 11,

Catalogue of Measures OPK Illusion

Due to the issues at hand concerning ________________[Name, date and place of birth] living in 1055 Berlin, the following catalogue of measures is proposed for their elucidation, investigation and assessment: 1. Extensive utilization of all sources in ______s social circles to assess - hostile activities , plans and intentions, with the objective to provide efficient prevention of these - significant contacts and relationships including potential instigators/organizers from the operational area - a character profile for _________________ in order to identify reasons and motives for his hostile disposition The following IMs will be used primarily: Uwe Wenzel, HA XX/9 Paul Steinke, HA XX/9 IMs of division II in Frankfurt/Oder Date: ongoing Officer in charge: captain ______________ 2. Identify and select potential IMs from ______s social environment. In particular, the following persons should be tested on their willingness to cooperate with the Ministry of Security: ____________ Date: Sept 30th, 1987

Officer in charge: Captain ____________ Page 12

3. Investigate __________s behavior within his neighborhood, in particular in the housing board of the National Front. Date: October 31 st, 1987 Officer in charge: Captain ___________ 4. Assess the possibility of constructing a supervision base in the neighborhood. Include comrade ______ of division 22 (XXII) to investigate ___________s conduct in his residential building as well as monitor visitors to the apartment. Date: Dec 31 st, 1987 Officer in charge: Captain ___________ 5. Employ operative technical methods of division M. [Translators note: This could encompass any technical components of the actual supervision process from the building of supervision containers to the installment of bugging devices.] Date: ongoing Officer in charge: Captain ___________ 6. Gain insights on ____________s contacts and relationships. Date: September 30th, 1987 Officer in charge: Captain ___________ 7. Evaluate ___________s texts and lyrics by IM experts, considering both their formal aspects and their political agenda. Date: October 15th , 1987 Officer in charge: Captain ___________ 8. Any new leads on _____________ should be brought to our attention immediately. Please report on the progress of the OPK by Dec 21 st, 1987. Officer in charge: Captain ___________ Supervision: Major _____________ [Translators note: The short hand-written note on the bottom left corner is ineligible]

Page 13 Major division XX/9 Berlin, June 17 th, 1988

Progress report On the OPK Illusion, Registration no XV/4088/87 The person in question _________________[Name] _________________date and place of birth residing in 1055 Berlin profession: occupation: freelance author is under investigation through an OPK since September 8, 1987.

Objectives of the OPK - Investigation of hostile activities , plans and intentions of _________, the objective is to provide efficient prevention of these - Explication of significant contacts and relationships including potential instigators/organizers from operational area -Development of character profile for _________________ in order to identify reasons, motives and contributing circumstances for his hostile disposition

Investigative results so far Early in 1987, _______________ was planning to start a hostile group that would discredit party politics by means of public activities. He planned to alert the public to the existence of an underground opposition by displaying posters and banners during major social events and holidays. As a preliminary test for future activities, ______ and _________ [Name:]_______ Date and place of birth:________ residing in 1100 Berlin, __________ profession: teacher

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mounted on the eve of May 1st , 1987 a banner which read: Learning from the Soviet Union means learning how to be victorious on the roof of a house in Schnhauser Allee 74. It was removed on May 1st in the early morning through officers of the MdI. When he was questioned about his reasons for making the banner by the police, ______________ replied that he was a proponent of the current political development in the UdSSR and wanted to alert the public to the fact that these processes were of great importance for the GDR as well. After this activity became known and ____________ was questioned by the police, he stated that he would refrain from undertaking such actions again, in particular because __________________. [Name]:______Date and place of birth:________ residing in 1100 Berlin,_______ It is the unofficial estimate that ________has realized in the meantime that spectacular such as these do not yield the personal and artistic recognition he had hoped to gain among his friends. The sources we consulted uniformly agree that ________ is now increasingly trying to express his political views through his artwork, and in particular through his lyrics for various singers and songwriters. On every possible occasion, _________ is promoting a complete taking on of the current political processes in the UdSSR. He also expressed this opinion during his public appearances. His outlook is based primarily on wrong or exaggerated expectations, which lead to a general frustration with the political developments in our state, as well as the rejection of political realities. These political views are also the reason for his current attitude towards the Ministry of Security. He considers our organization as crucial for the oppression of the further democratization of the GDR. He feels that his position is justified, among other things, by the Ministrys offensive measures against hostile provocations both from within and from outside over the last few months.

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In a letter to a friend, he wrote the following: [Translators note: Personal data redacted here.] The longer this situation in Moscow continues, the more uncomfortable it will get around here. We will show them! (I am talking about the Ministry of Security) They should rather take care of the real public enemies! The hustlers and sell-outs and philistines and those who betrayed their ideals. Related to the arrests during and after the Luxemburg/Liebknecht tribute in January 1988, _______ initiated plans for a protest riot in the neighborhood. The protest riot was successfully prevented by IMs. IM experts assessed that while ___________ s texts do reflect a partly abstract and utopian humanism, they do not question the socialist political system as a whole. He displays a great sensibility for existing grievances and the insufficient exploration of our humanist potential. His poems bespeak some literary talent, he also quite gifted in his use of modern poetic language. Over the last few months, _____________ has made quite a name for himself in the singer/songwriter scene. To our knowledge, his texts are currently published by the following singers/songwriters: ______________ residing in 1040 Berlin ______________ residing in 7010 Leipzig

The latter three singers/songwriters (bands) have also participated with ________s lyrics at the 9th chanson festival of the GDR in 1988, which took place in Frankfurt/Oder.

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Since April 1988, _________ is participating in the singer/songwriter event series Liedernacht in the youth club: Erich Franz in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin. He considered this event series a consequence of the Luxemburg/Liebknecht tribute incidents in January 1988. Under the slogan We are still there, this series is supposed to demonstrate that the opposition against current party politics __________________________________________ is also continued in the GDR even after their [Translators note: Name/s of the people to whom this relates are redacted here.] emigration to West Germany. Even though _________ has a good relationship to ________, he is critical of her decision to have emigrated to the Federal Republic of Germany rather than continuing the fight in the GDR. He believes that it is important to stay now and to say the truth in a way that one will be able to say it in the future (This is borrowed from a famous Brecht quote). This means that political criticism needs to be formulated in such a way that one cannot be prosecuted because of it. His complete literary work is constructed around this principle. Our investigations so far have come to the conclusion that __________ has a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Among them are several people that are operatively known to the Ministry of Security. In his neighborhood, they are the following: ______________, residing in 1055 Berlin Is in touch with persons who have been prosecuted due to the production and distribution of hostile writings Participates in so-called intercession masses His wife, _______, makes photocopies of the material at work Owns an artists studio in _______s building, to which ________ has access at all times

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_________________, residing in 1058 Berlin Has contacts to privileged persons who are being suspected by the HA to have committed intelligence activities against the GDR and are under surveillance because of that. Has contacts to representatives of political underground scene in the GDR makes photos and slides for ____________ and his events.

_________________, residing in 1058 Berlin organizes secret so-called house and yard parties __________________ is part of the singer/songwriter scene

_________________, residing in 1113 Berlin close friendship, public appearances and performances together

_________________, residing in 1054 Berlin close friendship, public appearances and performances together

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_________________, residing in 1055 Berlin public appearances and performances together _________________ writes lyrics for _____, is currently performing with ________ in an event series

_________________, residing in 1143 Berlin work-related contact

__________________ is organizing the event series Liedernacht together with ______

_________________, residing in 7010 Leipzig is striving for an intense collaboration with _______, has also written lyrics for _____________.

_________________, residing in 1055 Berlin work-related contact

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In the greater area of Neustrelitz: ______________ in ____________ previously convicted for the producing and distributing of subversive writings according to 106 of the penal code a close friend of _____, who frequents his apartment often, also when ______ is absent extensive relationships to hostile and subversive persons in the GDR

___________________, resides in 1950 Neuruppin contacts to church-related subversive activists

___________________, resides in 2060 Waren/Mritz has written and publicized subversive political texts

___________________, resides in 2080 Neustrelitz was under surveillance under 1985 , suspected of having left the GDR illegally

Contacts to persons in non-Socialist foreign countries: ___________________, - was caught in 1986 during the attempt to leave the GDR illegally, was arrested and released from prison to the Federal Republic of Germany. - active letter correspondence

Page 20 _____________________, - former citizen of the GDR, moved legally to Zurich in 1985 after marrying a Swiss national - 1983 personal contact to ________, signed a petition against the military service law. - active letter correspondence with ________ In his neighborhood, _______ is co-organizing so-called house and yard parties. According to unofficial assessments, these events are viewed as alternative citizens initiatives that are partly organized for the benefit of the elderly and children and partly to promote their political views. Currently, _________ is gathering support to start a citizens initiative against the alleged comprehensive rehabilitation of the neighborhood. By contacting government institutions, as well as architects and sociologist, they strive to prevent the demolition of the neighborhood (according to our information, there is no governmental plan for this neighborhood). Our unofficial sources believe that _________ cares more about the opportunity to be in touch with governmental institutions rather than being concerned about his own apartment. ______________ organizes irregular meetings in his apartment. One part the guests are intellectuals, the other part comes from the singer/songwriter scene. There are so-called roundtables on literature, environmental concerns, or include scholarly presentations on various subjects, film screenings and the organization of the house and yard parties. During these events, _______ talks openly about his political views and attempts to convince others of them. In the past, up to 50 persons have been observed attending these parties on several occasions. This defies all legal regulations. _____ is estimated to be financially well off. Even though he does not hold a regular job, he makes enough money by selling his writings/lyrics ____________ and through public performances to earn a living.

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Even though ___________ has a large circle of friends and acquaintances, there are only few people whom he trusts completely. He is generally suspicious and withdrawn towards new acquaintances. He is aware of being supervised by the Ministry of Security and takes precautions against potential surveillance. He does not discuss his romantic relationships out of principle and keeps occasional girlfriends separate from his circle of friends. Currently, _________ maintains an intimate relationship with __________, residing in 1100 Berlin. He met _______ in 1985, during the chanson festival of the GDR in Frankfurt/Oder. The relationship became more intimate about half a year ago. ___________ intends to study music in 1990 and become a freelance singer/songwriter later on. Unofficial sources estimate that she is not interested in politics.

_________________, Captain

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Major Division XX/9 1987 Information

Berlin, May 2,

On the mounting of a banner on the roof of the building Schnhauser Allee 74, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------According to unofficial information, a banner with the slogan Learning from the Soviet Union means learning how to be victorious (measuring about 2x 15 meters, yellow fabric, black inscription, applied with airbrush) was mounted on May 1st, at about 3 am. Furthermore, we were informed that ____________, residing in 1055 Berlin claimed to have made the banner together with ____________, residing in 1100 Berlin. The material (cloth, paint) was allegedly taken from the puppet theatre Zinnober. The banner was mounted by ____________, residing in 1058 Berlin. _______________ was included in this activity since _____________ believed the location of the apartment of ______________to be ideal for the mounting of the banner. As far as the motives for the mounting are concerned, we have been informed that ________ thought they should move away from the traditional celebrations on May 1st and replace them with alternative versions. This included not participating in the official May 1st protest march, instead, he encouraged smaller, private get-togethers.

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By mounting the banner, ________ intended to promote his oppositional views after all, people in the GDR could and should learn from Gorbatschow as well.

The IM was instructed to investigate the persons listed above, as well as to attend future meetings in order to anticipate and prevent planned hostile activities and intentions

The investigation and check-up on ________ is in process.

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Major division XX/9 1987

Berlin, May 20th, Total of 4 copies 1st copy

Information On the planned formation of an underground group According to unofficial information, the following person _____________, residing in 1055, occupation: freelance writer has assumed a leading role in the formation of a new underground group that wants to gain public attention through negative political activities. The following circle of person, who know each other through common cultural and artistic activities and have not participated in hostile-negative activities within an underground movement now has to be considered a part of it: 1. ____________, residing in 1100 Berlin 2. ____________, residing in 1100 Berlin

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3. ____________, residing in 1113 Berlin 4. ____________, (personal data still to be verified) It is the groups objective to carry out conspiratorially planned public activities without violating criminal law and other legal regulations. An IM procured the following information during previous meetings, which occurred irregularly in various participants apartments: 1. Attaching slogans to subway trains in Berlin.

By combining different slogans that are being used in our political system on various occasions, an anti-slogan shall be created which is designed to ridicule slogans used in public. These activities are furthermore meant to demonstrate to the public that an underground movement exists, and that there is resistance against the monotonous politics of the SED and the lack of individual influence on this politics.

Of particular interest for the group are the KPdSUs current politics on the democratization in the Soviet Union, as well as the interview with comrade Hader published in the West German magazine Stern.

They are planning to create several posters with hitherto unknown slogans and __________s poems using stamping and screen-printing technique. The posters will have the same format as the subway advertisements and to attach them to subway cars with sticky tape during an important political event (either during a visit by Gorbatschow or for Pentecost 1987. Judging from the information we have gained so far, two people respectively will attach the posters shortly before the end of the subway service on the route Ostkreuz-Bernau.

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2. Distribution of leaflets in apartment buildings in Berlin

3. Distribution of bulk mail. As a test for the planned activities and their confidentiality, the aforementioned banner was mounted on the rooftop of a house in Schnhauser Allee 73a in Berlin, which is discussed further in a separate information note. Currently, there is no information about existing contacts between the circle of persons mentioned above and the operational area. [Translators note: Operational area (Operationsgebiet) is the term used by the Ministry of Security for the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin).] Unofficial sources have discovered that there are plans to collaborate with _______________, a FGR journalist who is well respected in the GDR, in order to assure a same-day reporting on the activities in the evening news (Abendschau) in West German television.

Instructions:

1. Short-term elucidation of the aforementioned circle of persons and obtaining of short statements (see attachments).

2. Employ IM Steinke of division HA XX/9 with the objective to elucidate further intentions and plans as well as the prevention of hostile-negative activities 3. Interrogate _________ and ___________ through the police division of Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin on the incident on May 1st, 1987, based on the police regulation 11 (3) (on the enforcement of legal regulations, prevention of threats and the elimination of disturbances) with the objective to ascertain intentions, circumstances, persons involved, and to prevent further plans check whether a violation of regulative law applies here and criminal proceedings can be justified against the persons involved impose appropriate requirements

Page 27 4. Interrogation of ________ by the HVA/X in order to convince him to abstain from further hostile-negative activities. 5. Initiate preventive measures such as check-ups during specific times and at known locations. 6. Consider contacting ___________ through the HA XX/9.

Attachments

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Note Berlin, May 27th, 1987 Conversation with ________ on May 26th, 1987, 3 -5:30 pm The conversation with _______ was carried through in a calm, constructive manner. In the beginning, we emphasized that this was not another control measure, but rather that the conversation was motivated my pure interest in the development of ______. As a result of the conversation, it can be estimated (following the assessment of _______) that further conversations with ____ may be carried out in the future and may even be sought out by him.

________ answered the questions directed at him in great detail. He assured us repeatedly, that he was not an enemy of our state, but that not all of his thoughts and views were supported by official representatives of the state. The main issues touched upon in the conversation were: personal development since 1985 his retirement from the SED his return to Berlin the writing of texts/lyrics for different singers-songwriters his connections to _________, in his role as a writer

________ supports the current political development in the Soviet Union with all his heart. His wishes for a similar development in the GDR. He particular suffers from the intolerance and ignorance he perceives in the artistic sphere.

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He claims that artists were often forced into opposition to the GDR by the actions of official institutions (example:______. However, he says that he does not agree with the direction this person is going, even though he has also authored texts for him). He says that artists are a sensitive bunch that cannot be handled roughly. Their opinion should be accepted, or at least tolerated. He always promotes public discussion and honesty over repression. ___________ claims that he has many friends in the so-called [intellectual/art] scene who feel persecuted and intimidated. Often this leads to spiteful reactions, which are reflected in certain undertakings (also in the cultural scene). He has felt persecuted and supervised

himself before. Not so much currently. But he is certain that his actions are still being monitored. On ____________ he said the following: They [the group] had a program that was approved by the board for concerts and performances, and which they performed in various cities in the GDR (on May 27th, 1987, for example, they were in Potsdam). They are driving to the various performances using a Wartburg station wagon (four people, instruments included). The reception varied depending on the audience. They are increasingly facing difficulties obtaining performance permits, especially in Berlin. _______ will be performing at an arts competition in Frankfurt/Oder in the fall of 1987 .

Pages 30-31 At the end of the conversation, we told ______ that he could reach out to us over the phone if there were any further problems (He was given the phone number used in this operation). We are interested in staying in touch.

_________ is currently in Italy. It seems that _______ is in touch with her over mail. He received a few pieces of furniture and painting from her former apartment in ___________. According to ______ , he was trying to dissuade______ from leaving the GDR until the last minute. He cannot understand her decision. This is not an option for him. We have no information who is now living in the former apartment of ______. This will be clarified by a visit to the former wife of _______ and to the KD Neustrelitz. Since

_____ is regularly involved in the Liederbhne series in Neustrelitz and often spends the night with friends after his performances, it can be assumed that he still has contacts there.

Apartment of _____ ________ just recently moved from _____ to _________. Even though his apartment in ______ was better equipped (gas heating, shower), he says he preferred the apartment in ________. He says it suited him better because he was able to carry out construction work (he merged two separate into one by removing a dividing wall). He received the apartment through a regular exchange process at the KWV. His current apartment had apparently been uninhabited for two years. Since he had registered the apartment in ______ as available back in April but had not handed in his keys even after being ordered to do so, the KVW opened the door by force and ____ claims that some of his possessions that had remained there were stolen (camera, tin jug, dishes). ___________ also told us that he has not been in touch with _________ for a long time. His children _______________________visit him regularly in Berlin. They take the train and he picks them up in ______ Oranienburg. Note: During all our conversations, he did not comment on the incident with the national police, even though he had several opportunities to do so.

In the apartment of ________

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Major administration A 1988 Division II

Berlin, October 20, 4/412-th

IM report on ___________ I have known ___________ for about 10 years. _______________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ _____________________ _______________This has become particularly apparent in the change of his personal circumstances. Around 1980 he quit his position as a respected editor, became a freelance writer and also moved from a large city to an idyllic rural area. He was burning all bridges to his previous life and wanted to start anew. He immediately became very socially engaged in the villages close to his home. To him, this was true living and he was not open to hear otherwise. After two or three years he became increasingly dissatisfied with his life. He started visiting Berlin again, moved about and around, tried to cover up his frustration with himself and his environment by keeping busy. I think the main reason for his frustration is that he failed to make progress with his work as a writer. Judging from most of his literary work at the time, you can tell that he was trying to force something and became increasingly rigid. Many of his poems until 1985 reflect a black and white perception of things. During this time he also decided to leave the party. It is my impression that he actually did not want this decision, but at some point he was too proud to turn around. I am sure that he regrets it today, even though he does not want to admit to it when talking with others; however, this does not mean that he is not very critical of certain political developments in our country. His latest musical program _______________ and other writings are proof for this.

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I do believe, however, that he became more balanced ___________________, which has also become apparent in his political verdicts. Due to his black and white perspective, he still cannot see that a differentiated view of things is also necessary in artistic and literary circles. _______________ had been friends with _________ for four years. Together they worked on a production of _______________. __________ admired the independent and famous _______________ for a long time. But long before

_______, he distanced himself from _________. Today, he speaks very negatively of him. _______ thinks that _____ presents himself as the ultimate messiah and guru of the GDR and is now miserably trying to improve his image as _____________. He believes that __________ does not care about socialism, but only about himself. Even though we rarely see each other, I can see that ________ has overcome his crisis. He writes a lot now, is successful with his lyrics, they are performed by wellknown bands and singers, he collaborates on projects with them, he seems to be somewhat financially stable, too (He does not complain about being short on money, even though his apartment is only modestly furnished and he does not care for expensive clothing either). He does not seem to have any problems with women, however, he does not have any committed or only short-term relationships. ____________________________________________________________________ _______ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________

He has distanced himself decidedly from certain friends of his past, in particular his former best friend ______________. He accuses him of having abandoned his principles for the sake of his career and is writing demagogic articles even though he should know better. (For example on the Soviet film Regret).

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He does dare contacting the journalist _________, since he has a guilty conscience due to his resignation from the party. It appears that _______ was a role model for him when it came to political questions.

Signed IM

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Handwriting samples _____________________________

Page 36 Berlin, May 25, 1987

Capital letters

In our current time, it is simply necessary that the individual countries promote the slogan More socialism and more democracy! Only where more socialism and more democracy prevail, freedom can be guaranteed. Democracy and socialism form an inseparable unit.

Page 37 Berlin, May 25, 1987

Block letters

In our current time, it is simply necessary that the individual countries promote the slogan More socialism and more democracy! Only where more socialism and more democracy prevail, freedom can be guaranteed. Democracy and socialism form an inseparable unit.

Page 38 Berlin, May 25, 1987

Handwriting

In our current time, it is simply necessary that the individual countries promote the slogan More socialism and more democracy! Only where more socialism and more democracy prevail, freedom can be guaranteed. Democracy and socialism form an inseparable unit.

Page 39

Berlin, May 25, 1987

Block letters

In our current time, it is simply necessary that the individual countries promote the slogan More socialism and more democracy! Only where more socialism and more democracy prevail, freedom can be guaranteed. Democracy and socialism form an inseparable unit.

Page 40 Berlin, May 25, 1987

Capital letters

In our current time, it is simply necessary that the individual countries promote the slogan More socialism and more democracy! Only where more socialism and more democracy prevail, freedom can be guaranteed. Democracy and socialism form an inseparable unit.

Page 41 Berlin, May 25, 1987

Handwriting

In our current time, it is simply necessary that the individual countries promote the slogan More socialism and more democracy! Only where more socialism and more democracy prevail, freedom can be guaranteed. Democracy and socialism form an inseparable unit.

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HA XX/9 1989

Berlin, December 5, Confirmed:_______ Head of the division

Final report on the OPK Illusion, Registration no XV 4088/87

The person in question ____________________, residing in 1058 Berlin, ________________ freelance author was subjected to personal operative control on September 9th, 1987. At the time, ______ was publicly promoting texts and lyrics that were directed against party politics. The OPK came to the conclusion, that from todays perspective, _____________s endorsement of gen. Gorbatschows reform politics and his advocating of similar changes in the GDR did not violate any criminal or constitutional laws of our country. Consequently, further prosecution of this case by the Ministry of Security is not deemed necessary.

Major __________

Page 43 [Translators note: pages 43 and 44 are identical to page 42. It is possible that several copies of the same final report were sent to different divisions]

HA XX/9 1989

Berlin, December 5, Confirmed:_______

Head of the division

Final report on the OPK Illusion, Registration no XV 4088/87

The person in question ____________________, residing in 1058 Berlin, ________________ freelance author was subjected to personal operative control on September 9th, 1987. At the time, ______ was publicly promoting texts and lyrics that were directed against party politics. The OPK came to the conclusion, that from todays perspective, _____________s endorsement of gen. Gorbatschows reform politics and his advocating of similar changes in the GDR did not violate any criminal or constitutional laws of our country. Consequently, further prosecution of this case by the Ministry of Security is not deemed necessary.

Major __________

Page 44 [Translators note: pages 43 and 44 are identical to page 42. It is possible that several copies of the same final report were sent to different divisions]

HA XX/9 1989

Berlin, December 5, Confirmed:_______

Head of the division

Final report on the OPK Illusion, Registration no XV 4088/87

The person in question ____________________, residing in 1058 Berlin, ________________ freelance author was subjected to personal operative control on September 9th, 1987. At the time, ______ was publicly promoting texts and lyrics that were directed against party politics. The OPK came to the conclusion, that from todays perspective, _____________s endorsement of gen. Gorbatschows reform politics and his advocating of similar changes in the GDR did not violate any criminal or constitutional laws of our country. Consequently, further prosecution of this case by the Ministry of Security is not deemed necessary.

Major __________

Page 45

File containing 33 pages was sealed on December 5th, 1989. Seal no 5569.

Major ____________

Pages 46-48 List of abbreviations

Abbreviation Division XXII

Full term Division 22

Additional explanation Transformed into HA division XXII, in charge of terrorism prevention

BV [Bezirksverwaltung] FGR [German: BRD] GDR [German: DDR]

District administration Federal Republic of Germany /West Germany German Democratic Republic

EOS [Erweiterte Oberstufe] Higher secondary school in the GDR, high school equivalent comparable to the West German Gymnasium, the diploma allowed for study at the university FDJ [Freie Deutsche Jugend] HA II Abt II Literally translated: Free German Youth Major division 2 Division 2 Official socialist youth organization in the GDR In charge of counterintelligence Within the Major Administration A, this was the division that was in charge of organizations in the FGR

HA VI HA XX

Major division 6 Major division 20

In charge of passport control In charge of supervising cultural, church, state apparatus, and underground matters In charge of foreign espionage

HV A or Hauptverwaltung A

Major Administration A

by the GDR

IM [Inoffizieller Mitarbeiter

Unofficial collaborator

Unofficial agent for the Ministry of Security, working conspiratorially and usually unpaid

KD [Kreisdienststelle] KMK [Kreisemeldekartei]

District office District registration index

District office of the Ministry of Security Related to the passport and registration divisions in the local police registration offices

KPdSU KWV [Kommunale Wohnungsverwaltung] M MdI MfS NSA OG

Communist party of the Soviet Union Communal housing administration Division M Ministry of the Interior Ministry of Security Non Socialist Foreign Countries Operational area the Ministry of Securitys term for West Germany Operative personal control Vehicle/car

OPK PKW

[See definition in page 1 of this document]

PKZ [Personenkennzeichen] PZF [Postzollfahndung]

Personal index number Postal customs investigation Registration number Socialist Unity Party of the GDR Penal code/criminal code Soviet Union Soviet Union National Police of the GDR Vorverdichtungs-, Such-, und Hinweiskartei, Military district command Central Biographical Database

Identification number consisting of twelve digits

Reg. -Nr. SED StGB [Strafgesetzbuch] SU UdSSR [Union der Sozialistischen Sowjetrepubliken] VP [Volkspolizei] VSH WKK [Wehrkreiskommando] ZPD [Zentrale Personendatenbank]

Main index of the counterintelligence divisions

Created in 1980