Deutschland 86

MAN (on TV): Due to continued violent uprising in townships and union protests,

Cape Town, South Africa, 1986

which threaten the fundamental security of South Africa,

President Botha has extended the state of emergency

until peace and order can be restored,

allowing the president to rule by decree,

impose curfews, limit political gatherings

and heighten the power of the military,

in the best interests of South African citizens.

Not a chance. The trade union is on strike.

Our shipment's stuck in customs. Nothing we can do.

Can we bribe someone?

Not before noon.

What will you do?

Tell DeGraaf the truth.

(Further string instruments and a bell are added)

General DeGraaf is waiting for you in plain clothes at Dock 9.

Aha.

So the South African Army (SADF) is being more careful now?

No. Just smarter.

This better work, or I'm done here.

There they are.

If need be, I'll back us out quickly.

It'll be fine.

General DeGraaf.

-Good to see you again. -And you.

It's always a pleasure to work with a South African army general.

Unfortunately, there has been a change of plans.

Your shipment arrived this morning. Würfel & Struth's latest technology.

But it's being held in port.

The union is on strike. It's out of my hands.

Have a look.

We coined your delivery

as high-pressure industrial pipes with electronic pressure valves,

so that you're in the clear.

There's no signature from the FRG.

This deal is off the record.

We won't be informing your friends at the United Nations about it,

but the shipment is too big to do without.

Get me the signature of a West German representative.

I'll guarantee the shipment myself.

You? Are you planning to demo the latest technology yourself, are you?

Bring me the correct paperwork and my missiles under your arm, Ms. Neid.

And bring your man from Würfel & Struth to show us how to use them.

That is very difficult.

You're German. What happened to Prussian virtues?

Sanctions or not,

every God-fearing capitalist on earth is ready

to give me killing machines in the name of democracy.

Yours isn't the only offer on the table.

Get back to me in 72 hours,

or I'll go with the Americans.

(Light Tango music and background voices)

You look pale.

It's winter in Germany.

The cold season with snow, remember?

Introduce me to the new Trade Commissioner at the West German Embassy.

Never any foreplay with you...

Who are you reporting to in Berlin?

Annett Schneider.

Annett Schneider.

She can't even tie her own shoes yet.

She gave me a message for you.

From Fuchs. Blow another deal here

and you're coming home. Forever.

I need that Trade Commissioner.

And one more thing: I hate to say it, but... I need a man.

For the Würfel & Struth deal.

No way. I'm here representing West German Parliament!

Not East German intelligence (HVA)!

How about...

No, no way.

So, he's still alive?

Destroy white South Africa

and our influence in the subcontinent of southern Africa

and this country will drift into chaos and poverty

The situation in South Africa has deteriorated dramatically.

Almost 800 people have died in the struggle so far.

Many seriously injured people, a burning slum,

20,000 new homeless people...

The most serious clashes the country has experienced

since the State of Emergency was declared...

The harder the police hit back at black protestors,

the worse it is for the apartheid regime's reputation.

Therefore, I'm signing an executive order

that will put in place a set of measures

designed and aimed against the machinery of Apartheid,

without indiscriminately punishing the people who are victims of that system.

East German president Honecker met with

ANC leader Oliver Tambo for friendly exchange.

East Germany has become identified with a struggle.

HVA - East German Foreign Intelligence Service HQ East Berlin, East Germany

Comrades! I don't have to tell you that our East German Republic

is facing unprecedented economic challenges.

We're deep in debt to the West,

and the East German mark is worthless internationally.

We must bring in hard currency. Or we're doomed, Comrades.

Let me introduce you

to our colleague from Commercial Coordination (KoKo),

Mrs. Dietrich.

Like Marlene.

We've already significantly reduced the average age of this board

with our Young Professionals Program.

Now Mrs. Dietrich will help us to develop a new business initiative.

I like to think of it as a "Special Commission."

Not unlike the classified missions you spies are usually up to.

Our work here will also be classified top secret.

But rather than simply gathering data,

we will look for new ways to turn that data into... profit.

East Germany is expensive. And that's not because we're greedy.

It's because equality is expensive. Our ideals are expensive,

and it's up to government organizations such as ours

to support these ideals efficiently.

Because Moscow is abandoning us?

Comrade...

Schneider.

Comrade Schneider.

If your neighbor decides to tear off her wallpaper,

just for a change of scenery,

does that mean that you do the same?

Well...

I'd only change my wallpaper if...

if I was deeply convinced of the advantages of doing so.

With this Special Commission, the HVA will fund companies

licensed to do business internationally

and bring in new streams of hard currency from abroad.

It sounds like you're talking about Capitalism.

Comrade Schneider!

I'm talking about defending this country by any means necessary.

I'll keep a close eye on the numbers. Be warned: the numbers never lie.

The numbers go up... we survive. The numbers go down... we go under.

Comrade Fuchs, can I speak with you a moment?

Yes.

I don't think we've had the pleasure...

Correct.

See you tomorrow?

Yes, certainly.

Who was that?

Barbara Dietrich from KoKo.

I met her on the South Africa project.

Now we're heading up an integrated business initiative.

She calls it a "Special Commission."

She's very, very efficient.

Efficient.

That means she makes the most of given resources.

Or rather: she achieves defined goals with minimum means.

She'll change East Germany completely.

I see.

I would love to be on this "Special Commission."

Walter, how many times have we been over this?

I had to demote you after...

That was 1983! It's been three years.

Our country faces grave economic crisis.

I want to be part of the solution!

Please.

Comrade Schneider will head up a pharmaceutical unit.

What?

But I want Comrade Schneider to remain in charge. Got it?

Markus, I recruited Ms. Schneider.

And I promoted her to the inner circle.

Baby steps, Walter.

Cape Town on the secure line.

Tell me where you're keeping him.

Who?

Damn it, Walter. This deal is crucial. Our survival depends on it!

I am no longer privy to such important matters, as you know.

But you know where he is.

Let me guess: Mozambique?

Hm?

-Angola? -This is too risky for me.

Have you seen the news?

We can't count on Moscow anymore!

You need this cash from Cape Town.

Glad you're worried about those you left behind.

I live here.

No sun,

no palm trees.

I need him.

We need him.

My success

is your success, Walter.

I'll bring you in from the sidelines. Back into the real game!

I need to think about it.

Think fast.

East German Orphanage, Cuanza Norte, Angola

Martin...