Erich Honecker

• 1. A Roofer's Communist Path

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  Erich Honecker was born on the 25th of August 1912 in Neunkirchen, a town in what is now Saarland. His father Wilhelm worked as a coal miner and political activist while his mother Caroline managed their household of six children. The family lived on Max-Braun-Straße before moving to Kuchenbergstraße 88 in Wiebelskirchen. After World War I France occupied the Territory of the Saar Basin which introduced young Erich to communist ideas through his father's understanding of proletarian exploitation. At age ten he joined the Spartacus League's children's group in Wiebelskirchen. By fourteen he entered the Young Communist League of Germany where he later served as leader for the Saarland region from 1931.

  Honecker did not find an apprenticeship immediately after leaving school but instead worked for a farmer in Pomerania for almost two years. In 1928 he returned to Wiebelskirchen and began a traineeship as a roofer with his uncle. He quit this work to attend the International Lenin School in Moscow and Magnitogorsk after being handpicked by the Young Communist League. There he shared a room with Anton Ackermann and studied under the cover name Fritz Malter. This background as a skilled tradesman would later influence how he approached construction projects including the Berlin Wall.

• 2. The Architect Of The Wall

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  In August 1961 Honecker became the prime organiser of building the Berlin Wall while serving as Security Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party Central Committee. He bore administrative responsibility for the order to fire along the Wall and the larger inner German border. During his time in office around 125 East German citizens were killed while trying to reach the West. A May 1974 sitting of the National Defence Council saw him state that lines of fire were warranted along the whole border and firearms use was essential. He told comrades who successfully used their firearms they should be praised.

  Honecker remained committed to expanding the Inner German border throughout his leadership. As Chairman of the National Defence Council from 1971 he gave the decisive order for constructing the Berlin Wall at subsequent meetings. He ordered extensive expansion of border fortifications around West Berlin and barriers to the West so as to make any passing impossible. These actions formed the core of his security policy during two decades of rule over East Germany.

• 3. Consumer Socialism And Diplomacy

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  Under Honecker's command the country adopted a programme called consumer socialism which resulted in marked improvement in living standards already highest among Eastern bloc countries though still far behind West Germany. More attention was placed on availability of consumer goods and construction of new housing accelerated with Honecker promising to settle the housing problem as an issue of social relevance. His policies were initially marked by liberalisation toward culture and art before dissident artists like Wolf Biermann were expelled and Ministry for State Security raised efforts to suppress political resistance.

  East Germany became a full member of the United Nations while participating in Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe held in Helsinki in 1975. In September 1987 Honecker became first East German head of state to visit West Germany where he received full state honours from Chancellor Helmut Kohl. During this trip he journeyed to his birthplace in Saarland holding emotional speech about Germans no longer being separated by borders. This diplomatic success came despite Soviet leadership mistrust of special East-West German relationship particularly efforts to expand East Germany's limited independence in foreign policy realm.

• 4. Refusal Of Reform

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  Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost and perestroika reforms to liberalise socialist planned economy starting in late 1980s. Frictions between him and Honecker grew over these policies and numerous additional issues from 1985 onward. East Germany refused to implement similar reforms with Honecker reportedly telling Gorbachev they had done their perestroika and had nothing to restructure. Gorbachev grew to dislike Honecker lumping him in with Bulgaria's Todor Zhivkov Czechoslovakia's Gustáv Husák and Romania's Nicolae Ceaușescu as Gang of Four group of inflexible hardliners unwilling to make reforms.

  Honecker ensured official texts of Soviet Union especially those concerning perestroika could no longer be published or sold in East Germany. He felt betrayed by Gorbachev in his German policy while maintaining that they would solve problems themselves with socialist means. At Warsaw Pact summit on 7, the 8th of July 1989 in Bucharest the Soviet Union reaffirmed shift from Brezhnev Doctrine announcing freedom of choice for member states. This called into question Soviet guarantee of existence for Communist states in Europe.

• 5. The Hardline Opposition To Reform

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  In May 1989 Hungary began dismantling its border with Austria creating first gap in Iron Curtain through which several thousand East Germans quickly fled hoping to reach West Germany via Austria. The Pan-European Picnic in August 1989 based on idea by Otto von Habsburg tested Gorbachev reaction to opening border. Subsequent hesitant behaviour of Socialist Unity Party and non-intervention of Soviet Union opened floodgates breaking united front of Eastern Bloc. Honecker later said Habsburg drove nail into his coffin regarding summer 1989 events.

  Tens of thousands of media-informed East Germans made way to Hungary which was no longer ready to keep borders completely closed or oblige border troops to use force of arms. A 1969 treaty required Hungarian government send East Germans back home but starting the 11th of September 1989 Hungarians let them pass into Austria telling outraged counterparts they were refugees and international treaties on refugees took precedence. This mass exodus created new refugee problem that Honecker had to deal with after being sidelined through illness during Warsaw Pact summit.

• 6. Ousting And Fall Of Regime

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  Honecker was taken ill with biliary colic during Warsaw Pact summit and flown home to East Berlin. He underwent surgery on the 18th of August 1989 to remove inflamed gallbladder and part of colon due to perforation. Surgeons left suspected carcinogenic nodule in right kidney due to weak condition failing to inform patient of suspected cancer according to urologist Peter Althaus. As result of operation Honecker was away from office until late September 1989 leaving colleagues unable to act decisively.

  Back in office Honecker faced rising number and strength of demonstrations across East Germany sparked by reports in West German media of fraudulent results in local elections on the 7th of May 1989. Several thousand East Germans tried going to West Germany via Czechoslovakia only to have that government bar them from passing. They headed straight for West German embassy in Prague demanding safe passage. With some reluctance Honecker allowed them go but forced them back through East Germany on sealed trains stripping them of citizenship. Politburo members realised this serious blunder making plans to get rid of him.

• 7. The Night Of Resignation

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  On 6, the 7th of October 1989 national celebrations of 40th anniversary took place with Gorbachev attending. Several hundred members of Free German Youth began chanting Gorby help us save us during event. In private conversation between two leaders Honecker praised success while Gorbachev knew country faced bankruptcy having accepted billions dollars loans from West Germany during decade seeking stabilise economy. Attempting make Honecker accept need reforms Gorbachev warned he who too late punished by life yet Honecker maintained they would solve problems themselves with socialist means.

  Protests outside reception at Palace of Republic led hundreds arrests many brutally beaten by soldiers and police. Following week Honecker faced torrent criticism giving his Politburo comrades impetus needed replace him. After crisis meeting 10, the 11th of October 1989 planned state visit to Denmark cancelled despite resistance insistence regime number-two-man Egon Krenz issued public statement calling suggestions for attractive socialism. Over following days Krenz worked secure support military Stasi arranging meeting between Gorbachev and Politburo member Harry Tisch Moscow inform Kremlin about now-planned removal Honecker.

• 8. Resignation And Exile

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  At beginning session the 17th of October Honecker asked routine question Are there any suggestions agenda? Stoph replied Please general secretary Erich I propose new item placed on agenda release Comrade Erich Honecker as general secretary election Comrade Egon Krenz place. Honecker calmly responded Well then open debate. All present spoke turn none favour Honecker. Günter Schabowski extended dismissal include posts State Council Chairman National Defence Council while childhood friend Günter Mittag moved away from Honecker. Mielke hollering pounding conference room table fist pointed Honecker blamed country current ills threatened publish compromising information possessed if Honecker refused resign.

  After three hours Politburo voted remove Honecker. In accordance longstanding practice Honecker voted own removal. As concession allowed publicly save face resigning due ill health. Krenz unanimously elected successor General Secretary closely echoing how Honecker helped force Ulbricht out 18 years earlier too publicly allowed retire health reasons. Three weeks later Berlin Wall fell SED swiftly lost control country. On the 1st of December Volkskammer deleted provisions constitution giving SED monopoly power formally ending Communist rule two months after Honecker removal.

• 9. Asylum And Extradition

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  Following lifting house arrest Honecker and wife Margot forced vacate apartment Waldsiedlung housing area Wandlitz exclusively used senior SED party members after Volkskammer decided put use sanatorium disabled. Majority January 1990 spent hospital having error tumour missed 1989 corrected suspicion cancer confirmed. Upon leaving hospital the 29th of January re-arrested held Berlin-Rummelsburg remand centre. However evening following day the 30th of January again released custody district court annulled arrest warrant medical reports certified unfit detention interrogation.

  Lacking home Honecker instructed lawyer Wolfgang Vogel ask Evangelical Church Berlin-Brandenburg help Pastor Uwe Holmer leader Hoffnungstal Institute Lobetal Bernau bei Berlin offered couple home vicarage drew immediate condemnation demonstrations against church assisting Honeckers given both discriminated Christians conforming SED leadership ideology. Aside stay holiday home Lindow March 1990 lasting one day protests swiftly brought end couple resided Holmer residence until the 3rd of April 1990. Then moved three-room living quarters Soviet military hospital Beelitz doctors diagnosed malignant liver tumour following another re-examination.

• 10. Flight To Moscow

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  After German reunification prosecutors Berlin issued further arrest warrant November 1990 charges gave order fire escapees Inner German border 1961 repeatedly reiterated command specifically 1974. Warrant not enforceable because Honecker lay under protection Soviet authorities Beelitz. On the 13th of March 1991 Honeckers fled Germany from Soviet-controlled Sperenberg Airfield to Moscow military jet aid Soviet hardliners. Chancellery informed Soviet diplomats about flight hour advance limited response public protest claiming existence arrest warrant meant Soviet Union breaching international law admitting Honecker.

  Initial Soviet reaction Honecker now too ill travel receiving medical treatment after deterioration health. Underwent further surgery following month. On the 11th of December 1991 Honeckers sought refuge Chilean Embassy Moscow applying political asylum Soviet Union. Despite offer help North Korea instead reached out Chilean government Christian Democrat Patricio Aylwin. Under Honecker rule East Germany granted many Chileans exile following military coup 1973 Augusto Pinochet. In addition daughter Sonja married Chilean. Chilean authorities stated could enter country without valid German passport.

• 11. Ejection And Return

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  Mikhail Gorbachev agreed dissolution Soviet Union the 25th of December 1991 giving powers Russian president Boris Yeltsin. Russian authorities keen expelling Honecker against wishes Gorbachev new government demanded leave country else face deportation. June 1992 Chilean President Patricio Aylwin leader center-left coalition assured German Chancellor Helmut Kohl Honecker leaving embassy Moscow. Reportedly against will ejected from embassy the 29th of July 1992 flown Berlin Tegel Airport arrested detained Moabit Prison. By contrast wife Margot travelled direct flight Moscow Santiago Chile initially stayed daughter Sonja.

  Honecker lawyers unsuccessfully appealed release detention period leading trial. On the 12th of May 1992 while under protection Chilean Embassy Moscow along several co-defendants including Erich Mielke Willi Stoph Heinz Kessler Fritz Streletz Hans Albrecht accused 783-page indictment taking part collective manslaughter 68 people attempting flee East Germany. Charges approved Berlin District Court the 19th of October 1992 opening trial hearing 56 charges postponed remaining twelve cases subject trial begin the 12th of November 1992.

• 12. Trial And Death

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  During 70-minute statement court the 3rd of December 1992 Honecker said political responsibility building Berlin Wall subsequent deaths borders claimed without juridical legal moral guilt. Blamed escalation Cold War building Berlin Wall decision not taken solely East German leadership Warsaw Pact countries collectively concluded 1961 Third World War millions dead unavoidable action. Quoted West German politicians opined wall reduced stabilised two factions stated always regretted death human point view political damage caused.

  Making reference past trials Germany against communists socialists Karl Marx August Bebel claimed legal process politically motivated show trial communism. No court lying territory West Germany had legal right place him co-defendants East German citizen trial portrayal East Germany contradictory recognition over hundred other states UN Security Council. Questioned how German court legally judge political decisions light lack legal action taken various military operations carried Western countries overt support absence condemnation West Germany dismissed public criticism Stasi arguing journalists Western countries praised denouncing others. Accepted political responsibility deaths Wall believed free any legal moral guilt thought East Germany go down history sign socialism possible better capitalism.

• 13. Final Days In Chile

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  By time proceedings Honecker already seriously ill new CT scan August 1992 confirmed ultrasound examination Moscow existence malignant tumour right lobe liver. Based findings additional medical testimonies lawyers requested legal proceedings aimed client abandoned arrest warrant withdrawn cases Mielke Stoph already postponed due ill health. Arguing life expectancy estimated three six months while legal process forecast take at least two years questioned whether humane try dying man application rejected the 21st of December 1992 court concluded given seriousness charges obstacle proceedings existed.

  Honecker lodged constitutional complaint recently created Constitutional Court State Berlin stating decision proceed violated fundamental right human dignity overriding principle Constitution Berlin even state penal system criminal justice. On the 12th of January 1993 complaint upheld Berlin District Court therefore abandoned case withdrew arrest warrant. Application new arrest warrant rejected the 13th of January court refused commence trial related indictment the 12th of November 1992 withdrew second arrest warrant related charges. After total 169 days released custody drawing protests victims East German regime German political figures. Flew Brazil Santiago Chile reunite wife daughter Sonja lived there son Roberto greeted leaders Chilean Communist Socialist parties.