Repressed by Stalinist rulers: No friends of western warmongers the autonomous peace move- ment in East Germany [GDR]

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In the final part of a two part article STAN CROOKE examines the origins and activities of and describes the relentless persecution of the state. IN January 1962, only six months after the building of the Berlin Wall and the sealing off of the border with West Germany, the GDR introduced conscription and a minimum of 18 months military service for young males.

Although, two years later, a hmited conscientious objection clause was introduced, those accepted under its criteria still had to serve in army units, were subject to military discipline, and had to promise active support for the NVA. active support for the NVA.

Those who opted for this clause inevitably and automatically found themselves confronted by obstacles in access to further education and in their careers in general.

The 1962 decree has always been a source of opposition in the GDR. In many ways, those who opted for the conscientious objection clause after 1964, and suffered correspondingly their careers, formed the nuclei of today's unofficial peace movement.

And with last year's extension of the measures of the 1963 law, opposition to compulsory military service has assumed an increasingly important place in the activities of the unofficial peace movement, reflected in the "Women's Letter" of October 1982, signed by several hundred women in opposition to newly introduced measures for the conscription of women.

The main alternative proposed by the peace movement to military service is that of a genuine "Community Peace Service" • whereby those who p' tor It could do 24 months work in bospitals, old people's boses, drug addiction centres. ese.. instead of some form of mitar service.

but ibe GDR authorities bave I% rEsponded to such a propose:

itsi De sasi Mazis mzios dé Jaime E LEIT boni RaDI 'these people (i.e. the advocates of the proposal) forget that our whole Republic is a Community Peace Service."

The other main concern of the unofficial peace movement, opposition to the militarisation of everyday life in the GDR, is the inevitable reaction against the importance attached to military values, skills and discipline throughout East German society, particularly in education.

"Patriotic toys" (i.e. war toys) are readily available in the GDR and used in the state-run nurseries and kindergartens.

Kindergarten groups, 'which the children are at most five years old, make organised visits to their local barracks.

In their first school year the children, aged six, are visited in their schools by members of the NVA and receive 'education' in how the NVA protects peace and their native country. Further visits to local barracks are also organised. From six to fourteen, children belong "Pioneers" • another Stalinist transmission-belt organisation. It organises military-style camps, games and competitions. Each Pioneer group is twinned with an NVA company.

Since 1978, a . 'Decree, on Defence Studies" has also been in operation, whereby fourteen to sixteen year-olds receive theoretical and practical military courses as a subject in its own right.

Military and para-military training for youth from fifteen to twenty-five is in the hands of the ''Free German Youth" organisation and the Socier! for Sport and Technolog". which provides imo-rear par-sime paramilitary train rig courses.

Ther comes is sorths long Iliar! service loved br regia: couses = i Peserves as mell as ciTi jetence mort. pits diso possible Erotremes:

British nuclear missile if are Union, half-a-million Musci targeted on the S said at the weekend.

Columns of marchers ! their way through the capital on Saturday to separate rallies. cha news agenc This is what the Morning Star ‹ USSR. But are the 'columns of will, or through conscription b in the "working class coml groups" attached to the diff ent workplaces.

There has long been an undi current of opposition to such level of militarisation in t GDR. But it was the 1º 'Decree on Defence Studie which made militarisation major issue of concern, and c as much to stimulate the emi gence of an autonomous pea movement as the work of t nuclei of conscientious obje tors.

Petitions against the decr were drawn up by parent sections of the Church also to a strong stand against ti decree, and the increasi involvement of youth in the re peace movement is also, in pa a reaction against this speci measure. Those opposed to tl decree called for the introdu tion of a course in Peace Studi rather than Defence Studies.

•But on this point, too, thi came up against the catch-! argument: the GDR is a "peac state"; defence of the "peac state" strengthens the cause peace; therefore militarisation the GDR is in the service peace; therefore opposition militarisation is a threat peace.

Given the fragmented natu of the unofficial peace movi ment due to the level of repre sion in the GDR. organise Lational campaigning is impo: sible. Thus, the activities of th peace movement are as yi largely local activities and initia tives. only rarely linked up t enable broader initiatives to b taken.

Oze aspect of the movement sivities is the publication ‹ of documents or open letters whic =a-age to achieve at least ter circulation. Such doct → include the 'Berli Apes he Women's Lettel =De purposals for a 'Commur I! Peace Service alread Feast io. as well as ope Esters ST GDR dissidents suc * Rocer. Haremann and Raine Especan or more rarely rates pubäcising an unofficia pize demonstration.

Asocie: aspect of the peac InTESE: is the Church 'Peac E= das long forum ETE mE in discussing thi Desar i peace. held year!

1980. Sucl it=s Inde an opportunit: it Jet Escassion which, it tue assances. Fould no it presidie jarough interven importanoe on in Moscow Dissident peace campaigners in Dresden

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