NP Stasi

[Otto]

A remarkable woman . . .

East German Files on Berlin Leaders Cast Shadows Still

Ms. Birthler took over the Stasi archives nearly one year ago - a favored
candidate because the Greens are part of Germany's new ruling coalition with
the Social Democratic Party. Almost immediately, she found herself
ensnared - in politics and in the courts - in the expanding investigations
over illegal campaign contributions to Mr. Kohl's political party.

"No one has an interest in closing their eyes to the truth," said Dieter
Wiefelspütz, a senior adviser to the ruling Social Democratic Party on
judicial issues. "But the privacy of people who were victims of the Stasi
must be a top priority over every other interest, including those of
historians, scientists and journalists."

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/25/international/europe/25STAS.html?todayshea
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