Soviet Union 1991

Fifth update

"At three o'clock in the afternoon local time, an unprecedented riot broke out in Berlin. Thousands of people poured into the streets from their homes to protest against the German authorities' acceptance of refugees and reduction of welfare benefits in East Germany, and to put pressure on the relevant authorities to release the prisoners as soon as possible. It is reported that a large number of rioters stormed the police station and released Colonel Joniskis, the leader of the East German People's Organization. "

Yanayev turned off the TV and said to Kryuchkov and Vladimir beside him, "Our plan was very successful. The Germans still don't know that this unrest was planned by us. And everything They are all moving down according to the KGB plan. Comrade Vladimir, I want to know how the Western Army Group is doing now."

"Recently, the Western Army Group has overhauled all the armored vehicles, tanks and armed helicopters in stock overnight. It has been determined that only a very small number of them cannot be activated due to age and disrepair. The rest are still well preserved and can be put into battle at any time." Ladimir replied, "Including that our ammunition depot is sufficiently stocked to sustain the outbreak of a war."

"Very good. Once the German Civil War breaks out, East Germany will need support from the Soviet Union. I think the arsenal that has been carefully hoarded for the Western Army Group in the past few years should be put to use."

Yanayev turned to Kryuchkov and said, "What about the KGB operations team?"

"We control the local media in East Germany and use all available propaganda methods to build momentum. Because the Federal German government does not have the power to close down newspapers, so until now, newspapers and television are still the main force in promoting publicity. Next we need to The people's uprising in East Germany created a leader-like spiritual figure to support the people of East Germany in continuing their struggle."

"So who are you going to choose?" Yanayev also had his own candidate in mind, and he wanted to know who Kryuchkov was talking about.

Kryuchkov said with a headache, "The most 'red' leader in Germany now is Oscar Lafontaine. Or Krenz, the former leader of the Democratic Republic of Germany. We have two candidates. But we don't know exactly who we want." Which one to choose for promotion.”

Yanayev frowned visibly when he heard LaFontaine's name. In his mind, LaFontaine was not the best candidate, and could only be said to be the second backup candidate. In his impression, although Lafontaine is the most left-wing leader, this does not mean that he is a radical. On the contrary, in many cases, he emphasized cooperation and tolerance between the two Germanys.

Seeing Yanayev's somewhat unpredictable expression, Kryuchkov said tentatively, "General Secretary Yanayev, what do you mean?"

"Oh." Yanayev came back from his thoughts and said tactfully to Kryuchkov, "Do you think Oscar Lafontaine will be willing to become the spiritual leader of this war? Or that he will Do you support a brutal civil war between East and West Germany?”

"Compared with the East German people who broke out in the uprising, Lafontaine can only be regarded as a moderate and conservative. Although he was selected as the most dangerous leader in Europe, no leader currently wants a war to break out. Lafontaine only Being a sympathizer of the East German people does not support and guide the East German people to victory. However, we need a leader who calls for war and deports refugees.”

"What about Krenz?" Kryuchkov said.

"Krenz does not have a large mass base, and he is also the East German leader who has been in office for the shortest time. It is almost impossible to gather any strength. What's more, in recent years, except for some cases about the former East Germany, he has appeared. Besides, is Krenz still in the public eye at other times?”

Yanayev added, "He will spend the rest of his time in prison."

One has a mass base and appeal, but may be unwilling to stand up and call for a people's war. The other is that without a mass base and appeal, Yanayev is really faced with a difficult choice.

"It doesn't matter, General Secretary Yanayev, don't forget that the propaganda power of the KGB is as terrible as the Soviet Propaganda Department." Kryuchkov said with a smile, "Even if the other party does not have the same mass base as Lafontaine , we can also create the savior of the people through propaganda. General Secretary Yanayev, the Foreign Intelligence Service has always been familiar with the war of public opinion. "

"One more thing, General Secretary Yanayev. How will this civil war end? What if the East German People's Army really defeats the Bundeswehr." Vladimir wanted to know what Yanayev had done "Will it turn into another Cold War Berlin? Will we send troops to support a puppet regime?"

"East Germany belongs to Germany, and the Soviet Union will not fully intervene to support the puppet government."

Yanayev shook his head. In his estimation, splitting Germany was impossible. Moreover, if the East German People's Army really wants to create two Germanys, the mass base it has accumulated will disappear in an instant.

"We cannot create a divided Germany. This approach has no mass base." Yanayev revealed some of his thoughts to Vladimir and Kryuchkov. This is a compromised version of the "Ukrainian Civil War" model. If it can be successfully transplanted to Germany, then all countries showing signs of secession can apply this template. But the specific situation needs to wait until the end of the war to be fulfilled.

"This war will completely change the political structure of Germany. The people of East Germany will gain unprecedented sovereignty, and the Federal Republic of Germany will no longer be able to dictate to East Germany. Similarly, the Soviet Union's Western Army Group can continue to take root in the local area as a peacekeeping force, without having to withdraw from Berlin."

"Large-scale garrisons?" Kryuchkov said worriedly, "Aren't we going back to the old path of the Soviet Union? That's how we were dragged down by the United States and Europe, leading to today's situation."

Yanayev shook his head and denied Kryuchkov's words, "It's just a certain number of troops stationed to assist the East German people's armed forces in resisting the attack of West Germany. We just try our best to ensure that the strategic locations of East Germany will not be taken away again. But we will never go back to the old path of Khrushchev and Brezhnev. Warmongering is not our means, and diplomatic thinking must also begin to change. Precision and agency are our offensive focus."

Yanayev smiled and said, "Who said that using a bullet can solve the problem, and the effect is worse than missile bombing?" (To be continued.)