Timisoara writer in 1982 in the files of the Stasi and Securitate (1)
GEORG Herb Ritts
In the fall of 1975 broke the Romanian secret police Securitate, "action group Banat" in which young German writers had gathered. They had tried out new forms of literature and criticized by Marxist point of view, a more or less the traditions of Romanian-German compatriots and the repression of the socialist state (2). This dissident group was found in 1976, and expanded staff, together in some time in Timisoara (Timisoara) existing literature circle "Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn" again. And naturally, he was also monitored by the Securitate.
1982 escalated the situation again. The literary circle "Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn" (3) announced on 10 February 1982 in a regional German-language daily newspaper in Romania, the "new way", his next event to:
.. Meeting of the Literary Circle
wj Timisoara - At the next meeting of the Literary Circle "is Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn" in Timisoara Richard Wagner new poems read. In the second part will be on Thursday at 17 clock at the headquarters of the Writers' Association held meeting songs of Wolf Biermann in hearing brought. " (4)
This message prompting most likely the GDR Embassy in Bucharest to protest at the Romanian Foreign Ministry. From East German perspective had it in fact appear as a provocation, in a" fraternal socialist country "songs of the most prominent GDR dissidents, Wolf Biermann, public audition, and this general, despite the press censorship also to announce in the newspaper. In fact, the literature circle met on 11 February for its meeting. But first was the writer and editor Horst Samson, the Biermann-recital initiated, had been the regional county Party committee urged not to implement his plan. How Horst Samson remembers the Biermann songs were therefore play only after the session in a smaller circle in his apartment. (5)
At first glance, it courageous that the Biermann-song recital has been announced in the newspaper. But Horst Samson wanted in this newspaper report the name of beer's not at all have mentioned. He was the responsible editor of the "new way" but asked very clearly, not to name the name to avoid possible trouble. (6) Whether there was only the thoughtlessness of the editor that it was different, or whether this is intentionally a cause was created to make the literary circle to attack, must remain open for now.
Three months later, the Securitate was directly against Horst Samson and his colleague William Totok before. On 14 May 1982, led by both houses searched. The Securitate justified their action with the protest of the East German embassy against the Biermann-song recital. This was only a pretext, because the incident was now back three months. In reality, the Securitate would confiscate the memory of William Totok protocols, in which he had written down the memories of his detention period 1975/76. Totok was a member of the "action group Banat", and after their defeat had been nine months sitting in custody. (7) The Securitate had their informants "Voicu" To learn that William Totok his memory protocols had given to Horst Samson. In order to protect their informant, claimed the Securitate inappropriate manner, they took action on the initiative of the East German Embassy. In appearance, they actually seized the tapes at Horst Samson man with the beer-songs, and casually "discovered" it with him then William Totok records, which they took as well. Horst Samson and William Totok were in the following weeks, interrogated several times by the Securitate, a prolonged detention remained spared them. In subsequent years, the Securitate increased the pressure on the rebellious writers, until they finally, in spring 1987 left the country and moved to West Germany. The then most influential political representatives of the German minority in the Banat, the writer and journalist Nicholas Berwick, had gone in the fall of 1984 in the West. He had managed until then always to protect the younger generation of writers before state repression or that at least mitigate. (8)
Shortly after these two incidents in the spring of 1982 traveled an unofficial employees (IM) of the East German secret police, the Ministry of State Security (Stasi, "Stasi") to Romania and visited in early June 1982, Timisoara. In the "Book" was insignificant as a writer, played but as a functionary in the East German Writers' Union a role. From the perspective of the Stasi, he had proved particularly 1976, as Wolf Biermann was expatriated from the GDR and several prominent East German writers vehemently protested. "Book" was also at this stage reliably the line of the Stasi by and helped to actively act against critical writers such as Reiner Kunze (9).
After it was "the book" returned from his trip to Romania, he reported to his commanding officer Peter Trost detailed report on the events in Timisoara and beyond. Trost made from information which is reproduced below as an illustration. It will described the two incidents in February and May 1982 in error as a complex action. is crucial, however the overall picture: "the book" The situation in Romania presented from the view is the strict, disciplined SED comrades spoke of a confident and independent literary scene in Timisoara and reported on mental and ideological spaces, that the official policy in the GDR were not compatible. Romania had from this perspective, as a madhouse, prevailed in the intolerable conditions.
"book, describing in detail the Stasi including a controversial discussion, which he in a small circle with Horst led Samson. She served as an example of the sentiments of many Romanian-German writer. In this district was "book" is not the only informant. The Securitate was their source, "Voicu" also represented. "Voicu" belonged to the literary circle of Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn and served as editor of the local German-language daily newspaper, the Neue Zeitung Banat, "a colleague Horst Samson. "Voicus Report is printed in full on the following pages. The reports of both informants are in places almost identical to devote to other areas, however they each own topics. While "book, rather Free space is emphasized in "Voicus" Report of the pressure to which the Romanian-German writer were exposed more clearly in the foreground. In this respect, different perceptions of the two informants who knew the intelligence background of the other nothing.
The main difference was, however, in how the two secret police forces of the information is processed. "Book" report was forwarded to the Stasi headquarters in East Berlin, there to be evaluated (10). The Stasi was interested in such messages, because Romania was already in the sixties as an unreliable ally. The cooperation between the Stasi and Securitate was Listed in the course of the sixties was largely, Romania was the view of the MFS "Operation Area (11). An exchange of information between two secret police forces did not take place, the information from "the book" and "Voicu" were never merged. Reports such as that of "the book" served the Stasi so to assess the situation in Romania.
"Voicus" message was programmed by Securitate officer, however evaluated in terms of the measures should be taken next. The relevant proposals of the guidance officer found directly below the report of "Voicu. The Information from "Voicu" thus forms the basis for specific repression of Horst Samson. The competent superior officer of the Securitate leaders listed as a conclusion and statement in red ink on the front page of the "Voicu" report: "Samson is a hostile element. He is to be processed by all means at our disposal. "
Even if the two informants reported the same facts and the same people, so their reports differed not only in terms of their perception, but also in terms of the resulting consequences.
* * *
STASI REPORT:
Department XX / 7 (12)
Gera, 12 July 1982
Release No. 211/82
Unofficial information about a stay in Romania
The IM was from late May to mid June 1982 in Romania. He had the opportunity to conduct a series of conversations. The following is an assessment of the interlocutors: [...]( 13)
assessment / comments to the magazine "New Literature"
Da Comrade Stoffel of literary matters not understand much of Arnold is responsible for the content manager. Browsing through some magazines, I noticed that it obviously is a tendency for outsiders in the East German literature: Uwe Kolbe, for example. To a relevant question Hauser said that he had also printed by Lutz Rathenow poems.
in the culture of the journal is about the death of artists, through awards and other reports. One reads all sorts of petty name. The name of Konrad Wolf was sought in vain. The magazine "New Literature" has received the support until the end of this year to demonstrate profitability, otherwise it is reversed.
keep employees of the magazine for this job impossible, as it is for the sake of saving paper not allowed, the number of subscribers to increase. It is believed that the German minority to be pushed back so on.
conversation in the literary circle of Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn in Timisoara
assessment Nikolaus Berwanger
[...] Nikolaus Berwanger is a member of the County Committee of the party in Timisoara, probably even a member of the Secretariat, chief editor of the German Neue Banat newspaper, secretary of the Romanian Writers' Association, Deputy Chairman of the National Council for the German population in Romania, a very influential man!
He was polite, but showed very aware of his distant Attitude toward the Soviet Union and East Germany. [...] On his relationship with East Germany Berwanger said: Employees of the East German Embassy had accused him, he would take numerous trips to Austria and the FRG, the GDR, he would not.
He had tired to explain again and again how it was with the Germans in Romania and East Germany. The East German embassy does not care about the Romanian Germans, believe however, that the Timisoarer literature circle is oriented west. That is nonsense. You, the Romanian-German writer endeavor to neither an appendage of the East German literature, to be more an appendage of the FRG literature. You could see themselves as separate, independent Romanian-German literature. 'm Sure that what is being written in German, quite a weight. Maybe not immediately, then certainly. [...]
Nikolaus Lenau Berwanger is a member of the International Society Stockerau (Austria), the Josef Reichl federal Güssing (Austria) and has many other compounds.
Average Samson, Horst
H. Samson is a poet and cultural editor at the Neue Banat newspaper. It presents the average opinion of the local literary circle. He is a defiant young man, very sure of themselves. It seems to me that the basis for this invisible conveyor are.
in the meeting at H. Samson participation of about 7 people, friend of Samson. The conversation was very enlightening, but there was an insight into the attitude toward the GDR and our literature.
In the attempt to call playback, the ideological positions of Samson and Berwanger visible.
It had been in April or early May, the following occurred:
In the German newspaper "New Way", which is distributed throughout Romania, which announced a program of the Timisoarer literature circle, played on the record with songs by Wolfgang Biermann would. Was also invited, as the person responsible for the event was Horst Samson specified. The day before the event was the Romanian State Security in Samson appeared flat and did search the house. It was found a manuscript that you've given Horst Samson, he should give it to his colleagues Totok. It turned out that there were articles from Totok that were directed against Ceausescu. Samson was taken away and interrogated. Would have revealed that he had knowledge of the contents of the manuscript, Totok for 10 to 15 years would come to prison. In the evening conversation
the facts of Horst Samson has been dargstellt.
without consultation with the Cultural Attaché of the East German Embassy, gen. [...] Rieger is considered proven that the East German Embassy adopt in the light of the announcement in the "new way", the Romanian state security, had to end the evening Biermann and running investigation into this matter. But that was a gross interference in internal affairs of Romania. The East German Embassy CARRY culture espionage and therefore have Berwanger done right, as he did not receive the cultural attaché [...], who had signed up for an interview.
Discussing GDR literature following positions were clear:
Samson, Horst asked if East German literature in general still exist, but because it ran the best people: Kunert, Sarah Kirsch, Jurek Becker. This is an irreplaceable loss. Joachim Novotny is in the conversation put, response: The? That is really no proof of literature. Samson has read any of Novotny line.
The East German guest lecturer [xxx] have called in a lecture Eva Strittmatter as a major East German poet, but that was the bottom line, said Samson. is spoken in a derogatory way as
of it is given him to understand that it is useless to argue with him because he thinks of himself as the only valid measure of poetry. He was obviously the navel of the world. That it does not stop them to accuse us, we would suppress great poet. Here he would not, in its scale, but who as of great Fühmann Poets would recognize that was really great: Lutz Rathenow!
on the desire that he should call a band / book Rathenow that can be considered as proof that size, he brings a West German anthology, there are two poems by Rathenow printed.
Whether it is sufficient as proof of the poetic size is required. Answer: He has a poem enough: It is promised him on the head: "You get the message from somewhere that Rathenow was arrested a few days. This is for you proof enough for poetic size. "- No reaction.
Samson was last year (1981) in the GDR. With the German State Theater. He has no good opinion of us. He says: "If we had four years ago, the Romanian Germans were asked whether they want to emigrate to East Germany, had agreed to 80%. . Today, no more, because it goes down in the GDR "[...]
operational staff
[Signed] Trost
Captain
* * *
SECURITATE REPORT:
Samson is a hostile element. He is to be processed by all means at our disposal (14).
note
In connection with Samson Horst informs the source:
On 7 June '82 was Eric Krieger, a Writers from the GDR, Romania, visits to the source and stated, "Today I was in the NBZ (15) editorial, where I met Samson, who has invited me to his house, so we go to him tonight. "were present
When Samson Horst on Calea Aradului Samson Horst - Samson Edda (his wife), Eric Krieger, Mark Hilde (Krieger translator from Bucharest, from the New Literature), Josef Reisenauer (editor NBZ), his girlfriend, a teacher from Lenauheim (the source has not kept its name), Helga Schleich and source.
Just after they arrived, Samson Krieger asked, "Mr. Krieger as it is possible that the GDR their most valuable writer sent into exile in Germany? "
Krieger," I can not this state of affairs deemed, live in my country a great many writers and valuable poet, but it seems that with you only those who are considered to make the scandal and vertebrae. They should know, dear Samson, I do not like those authors who are important not because of their works, but because of the scandal. "
Samson:" It seems that our intelligence is now directed at you. With me they made a house search, and would not have been Berwanger, I think I would now sit in jail. They spoke almost 15-20 years Prison. We do not send them to Germany, they are a lock. Well, that Berwick has cut us out of there "
There was also talk in an interview on the magazine" New Literature ":
Samson:" There is a rumor, that the NL will disappear. Then we, the German writer from Romania, really nothing to look here. It is true that the leadership of this journal is very weak, they would have to be changed. In any case, if the magazine is given up, we will write a joint appeal to Ceausescu, I'm sure there are at least 25 signatories. Basically, we're not always with all nonsense agree that the top committed "
said about the NBZ Samson:
. It is basically a very weak paper, but the cultural part is very good, because committed, critical texts will be published. This is the merit of Berwick, who simply can not be influenced by the neo-Stalinist. Berwanger has no fear, he probably has good relations also up, but also in the West, which - if it would happen - go immediately to help him would be, and I do not think that Ceausescu's regime is interested in that West, an article about the oppression of intellectuals in Romania appear. "
The source points out, Samson had given all of these assessments are without him if someone had asked, or unless someone had previously said his views. He talked incessantly, praised all the time. To the source, he said,
"show it to you but at this mayor, who got a kick in the butt (speaking of the teachers who were laid off). They are a flock of sheep, which can make you anything you want. There are assholes, cowards. . The only ones who struggle, we are the writers'
Also from the "Transcendental incident" (16) was the speech:
Samson: "You look stopgap for the miserable situation in which we find ourselves. Thus, the Sekuristen have discovered the transcendental. "
Much was discussed about literature, especially on theoretical questions about poetry and prose. Krieger told thousands of East German literature, her features and artistic significance. At midnight, the source went home, but Krieger and the translator together with the other remained at Samson family.
Timisoara, 11.06.82 Voicu
___________________
OBSERVATIONS
- the foreign nationals may not have been reported as conspicuous
- Horst Samson is being processed and is known for his hostility
- the other person're not reported as conspicuous
TASKS
- discuss with Samson Horst, to determine what seized for information he is to that of our material and the measures against Totok Wiliam makes
- verify that Samson has other hostile letters and translations, and with them what he intends
MEASURES
This note of guidance is provided.
[Signed] Lieutenant Colonel Paduraru [and another Securitate employees]
Footnotes:
(1) This contribution first appeared in the Berlin newspaper "Look and Listen" 17 (2008) 4 (= magazine 62), p. 50-53, and we were for the "cultural space Banat" by the author kindly made available. See also: http://www.horch-und-guck.info/hug.
(2) Ernest Wichner (ed.), A pronoun has been arrested. Texts of the Action Group Banat. Frankfurt / M. 1992nd
(3) Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn (1852-1923), emanating from the Banat writer who coined the term with his own novels of history and identity of the "Banat Swabians.
(4) "New Way", 10.2.1982, p. 4 In the "New Newspaper Banat", the local German Daily newspaper in Timisoara, was released no such announcement.
(5) Communication Horst Samson to the author, 11.6.2008. Deviating from the Samson Totok colleague recalls the effect that the Biermann songs were still played during the session, see William Totok, the constraints of memory. Notes from Romania. Hamburg 1988, p. 142 Form in which the East German embassy was actually active at that time has not yet been determined, since the files from the subject area of the East German Foreign Ministry a thirty-year vesting period. Such interventions, however, were quite common.
(6) Communication Horst Samsons (see note 5).
(7) Totok, the constraints of memory (Note 5), p. 61-122; Totok also describes in detail the "action group Banat" and the literary circle "Adam Müller-Guttenbrunn.
(8) See Note 6 and 7 and www.horstsamson.de.
(9) Stasi, BV Gera, Department of XX / 7, 12/15/1980: Information Report on IME "beech"; Stasi, Stasi, BV Gera, X/872/80.
(10) A letter of the Stasi district administration Gera, Department XX, the Stasi Department XX, 16/07/1982; Stasi, Stasi, HA XX / AKG, 869, Bl 87th
(11) See Georg Herbers, a hostile brother, Country: Romania in view of the East German State Security. In: semi-annual magazine for South-East European history, literature and politics 16 (2004) 1, p. 5-13.
(12) Editorial Note: The document was adapted to the new spelling, typographical errors were corrected, emphasis of personal names of the original were not included. [...] Omissions are identified, anonymizing by [xxx]. The complete document was published in the "semi-annual magazine for South-East European history, literature and politics," 17 (2005) 2, p. 118-123. The then author-written introduction (ibid., p. 114-117) can now be clarified. The document ends with the following note of the guidance officer: "This information was reviewed by an honest and source developed. . Since the source appears at this time was staying alone in Romania, we ask for the assessment of the available information about protection of sources "in the" book "is the document not mentioned explicitly, and its authorship is in comparing this document with the following printed report "Voicu" but plausible. According to that information in note 9 of the report writer Erich Krieger Gera by the Stasi as in the "book" out. Further notes are missing, in particular, the actual IM Act probably destroyed in 1989-90. The original of the document is printed here in the Stasi Records Authority Signature Stasi, Stasi, HA XX / AKG 869, f. 88-95.
(13) estimates follow including the chief editor of the "New Literature", Emmerich Stoffel, and his deputy, Arnold Hauser.
(14) Editorial Note: The translation made by the Romanian original Samson at Horst, whom I thank sincerely for this. It is located in the archives of Securitate documents Bucharest authority under the signature ACNSAS, Dosar No. 4433, Vol i No. 184 942, regarding "Sandu", p. 121-123. In the original manuscript there are many underlines. Above, only those passages are underlined, highlighted in the original double. The opening sentences of Samson as "hostile elements" are of a higher Securitate officer subsequently wrote as a conclusion and statement. The information report itself, in turn, a different signature than the following "observations ...".
(15) NBZ: "New Banat Zeitung, German language daily newspaper in Timisoara.
(16) In Romania, transcendental meditation, then classified as subversive and persecuted. See: Gabriel Andreescu, Reprimarea miscarii yoga în anii 80th Iasi 2008th
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