270. Telegram From the Mission in West Berlin to the Department of State and the Embassy in the Federal Republic of Germany1
SUBJECT
- Refugees From East Berlin.
REF
- US Berlin 700 (Notal).2
1. Summary: More than 2,800 East Germans have arrived in West Berlin thus far in 1984. As part of regular refugee processing at the Marienfelde Refugee Center (MRC), each has been interviewed by screeners of the Joint Allied Refugee Operations Center (JAROC). From 130 separate interviews, we have put together the following analysis. End summary.
2. A Profile of Those Interviewed
The great majority of those interviewed were between the ages of 20 and 39, although there were several in their 40’s and 50’s, and even a few retired people. About 75 percent were men. All had had at least 8–10 years of primary education. Approximately 15 percent had completed secondary school and gone on to university training. All had had apprenticeships or additional training of some kind. A full range of occupations was represented: butcher, mason, plumber, organ builder, auto and truck mechanics; engineers, opticians, draftsmen, and electricians; many truck drivers, waiters, lathe operators; a doctor anesthetist, a technical director for the physics department at Humboldt University, a retired minister and several teachers. Approximately 33 percent had current or previous church affiliation, although less than half that number regularly attend church.
3. Life in the GDR
While most respondents expressed satisfaction with their general areas of work and the training received, specific complaints surfaced repeatedly in the survey: low pay, shortage of materials for work, lack of tools, no spare parts, no safety equipment, and political pressure at work. Most responses carried one or more of these complaints. Many (50 percent) also commented on lack of meaningful employment [Page 827] opportunities. Rising unemployment was noted by many. While there is officially full employment in the GDR, one respondent noted that his factory was often shut down for 2–3 weeks because of shortage of materials. Another commented that although there is full employment in the GDR, there are more and more people looking for work.
4. While few attend church themselves regularly, there was almost unanimous agreement that church membership was growing. Most cited an influx of young people who see the church as not only a religious institution, but also a political and social alternative where opinions can be freely expressed. The Lutheran Church was viewed by most as being more politically active than the Catholic Church. A few were interested in the church also because of its ties to the peace movement. Only two percent of respondents said that they had experienced any pressure to leave the church.
5. A deterioration of living conditions was noted almost unanimously. Most claimed this had taken place within the last 3–5 years especially. Fruit and vegetables are unavailable or inedible, and clothing is extremely expensive. There has been no improvement this year, and some claimed that this had led to a great increase in black market activity.
6. Western television and radio plays a large role in the lives of East Germans. Only those from the Leipzig and Dresden areas, where West German television signals are not received, said that they did not watch Western television. Most considered the Western media by far more reliable and credible in reporting events than those of the East. Many said that they now watched and/or listened to Western media exclusively.
7. Very few respondents were actively involved in party politics. A large number had memberships in youth (FDJ) and trade union (FDGB) organizations. Indeed, the pressure to have these memberships was often a chief complaint. Many said, however, that if one paid membership dues, one would be considered active enough to avoid problems at school or work. This was seen as the chief motivation for membership among the majority of the people: without a membership one is disadvantaged in chances for training or education, choice of work and material benefits. Many complained especially about the intense pressure on youth to join and take part in political life. Respondents unanimously recognized a privileged class in the GDR, singling out principally party bigwigs, “the upper 10,000”, government officials and artists. Some noted that people take low-paying jobs for which they are over-qualified simply to avoid the political pressure involved with prestige jobs.
[Page 828]8. Departure From the GDR
Most applicants had filed their papers within the past 2–3 years although some applications went back to 1973. One person interviewed applied only in February 1984. Of the older age group, many had considered leaving the GDR for many years. One man first decided to go on August 13, 1961, (the day the Berlin Wall went up). Most cited lack of political and economic freedoms or a desire to travel as their reasons for deciding to leave. Others saw no career prospects for themselves or wanted to be reunited with family members in the West. Once papers had been filed with the authorities more than half of the applicants experienced harassment from officials ranging from interrogation and travel restrictions to demotion or loss of job. Most had just days or even hours to prepare for final departure when the notice came that they could leave. One applicant was taken directly from interrogation to the border crossing point with no chance to go back.
- Source: Reagan Library, Paula J. Dobriansky Files, Germany, Democratic Republic of (2). Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information to East Berlin, Moscow, Paris, London, the mission to NATO, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, and Dusseldorf.↩
- Telegram 700 from West Berlin, March 7, provided statistics on the influx of refugees from East Germany to West Germany. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D840151–0466)↩