relationship in security and intelligence matters, and Mielke had
helped engineer Ulbricht’s ouster from power. They further found
agreement on the silencing of prominent dissidents such as Robert
Havemann and Rudolf Bahro. Although certain legal procedures
had been followed in these instances, Mielke candidly expressed his
belief in execution without a trial to colleagues in 1982.
During his long tenure, the MfS underwent an enormous expan-
sion, in both its numbers and the tasks it assumed. Convinced that
all internal dissent could be traced to the machinations of Western
intelligence organizations, Mielke was even more vigilant during the
1970s when the policy of détente meant increased contact between
East and West German citizens. He emphasized the role of the Inoffi-
zielle Mitarbeiter, regarding these collaborators as the main weapon
against the external enemy as well as insurance against hostile and
negative behavior at home. Hunting and sports were also abiding
passions. In addition to maintaining a private game preserve near his
villa in Wandlitz, he presided over the sports league Sportvereini-
gung Dynamo, an extension of the MfS with a network of informers
recruited among the trainers, masseurs, journalists, and athletes.
An unrepentant Stalinist, Mielke opposed the reform policy of
glasnost initiated in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985
and later came to criticize the KGB. Yet he was unable to stem the
increasing signs of disintegration that culminated in fall 1989. On 7
November, Mielke submitted his resignation and left the Politburo
the following day. During a televised appearance before the People’s
Chamber, realizing that his defense of the MfS was drawing protests
from the audience, he helplessly cried out, “But I love, I love all
people,” causing the delegates to erupt in laughter. Not only were
his MfS colleagues appalled by his performance but the SED Central
Committee voted on 2 December for his removal from the party be-
cause of serious violations of its statutes.
Five days later, Mielke was arrested by GDR authorities and
charged with abuse of his official position. While more indictments
followed including treason, mail tampering, theft, and crimes against
humanity, a judge declared Mielke unfit to stand trial for reasons
of health. State prosecutors, however, then decided to pursue the
decades-old murder charge involving the two Berlin policemen and
obtained permission for his limited participation in the trial. In 1993,
MIELKE, ERICH • 301