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Karl Marx pilgrims lead communists back from oblivion
IT WAS once the only way to get ahead in East Germany - now most Germans are amazed to find that they still exist. The former East Germany's communist youth organisation, the Free German Youth (FDJ), is making a stuttering comeback amid disillusion with the grim reality of German unification, and nostalgia for the cost and predictable world of socialism. They march against the 'annexation' of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) by the west, and want to carry out their national service in the East German army in order to fight the forces of western imperialism. Supporters are even heading for the UK this Christmas for a pilgrimage to the grave of Karl Marx.At their height, when the Communist GDR claimed to be the future of Germany, the FDJ was more than 2 million strong. Now the party estimates it has about 150 fully paid-up members and claims they are again on the march, with branches in Bremen, Frankfurt, and Munich, in addition to its groups in the traditional heartland of the former East Germany. In addition to its campaigning, the FDJ also claims to be prepared to use armed violence against the west, and therefore members refuse to give their full names in order to hide their identity from the German intelligence services. One member of the FDJ, who styles himself Ringo E, was last month fined 2,400 (£1,700) by a court for desertion after refusing to serve his national service in the German army. He had turned down the option of working in a hospital or care home - the usual alternative chosen by conscientious objectors, because he does not regard himself as a pacifist. Instead, he wants to serve in the East German army. Posted by: tipper 2004-11-22 |
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