DW: Former East German spy chief dies (Markus Wolf)

[blackhorse]

Former East German spy chief dies

The former spy chief of former communist East Germany, Markus Wolf, has died in his sleep at the age of 83. Wolf was one of the most influential figures of the Cold War. His death coincides with the 17th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. <snip>

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/function/0,2145,12215_pg_5,00.html

[leveymg]

1. Read His Autobiography, "Memoirs of a Spymaster"

Not surprisingly, a highly dedicated professional intelligence officer. But, a surprisingly human, candid, and humorous man.

Helps one to understand why the Cold War didn't end up killing us all. Those who were running things -- on both sides -- didn't want that to happen, and were smart and skillful enough to keep the horses from running off the cliffs.

A fascinating and rewarding read.

[David__77]

2. Too bad GDR couldn't have survived in democratic form.

East Germany showed great promise in the fall of 1989 of being a left-democratic alternative to the federal republic. A massive fraudulent media campaign combined with outright bribery - the promises of which have never been fulfilled - is the only reason that GDR citizens went in for Kohl's absorption plan. Now we have a unified Germany taking its place as oppressor in the world again, its troops occupying foreign countries.