EAST BERLIN, Thursday.
EAST Germany's Communist Party said today it was launching an
investigation into the misrule of ousted leader Erich Honecker, a
possible prelude to his expulsion from the party.
The Central Control Commission, responsible for internal party
discipline, said the party had also expelled former Politburo member
Guenter Mittag, a Honecker associate who was in charge of the economy
until he was sacked last month.
The measures were announced on state television shortly after the
country's new coalition Government said it was cracking down on
smuggling of food and consumer goods which has boomed since the
authorities allowed free travel to the West two weeks ago.
Government spokesman Wolfgang Meyer said the restrictions, which will
take effect tomorrow, were intended to stop East Germans and foreigners
from buying cheap goods in East German stores and taking them for resale
at a profit in West Germany.
Honecker, 77, was dismissed as party leader on October 18 after ruling
with an iron hand for 18 years.
He was replaced by Egon Krenz, who bowed to relentless public pressure
for political reform, threw open East Germany's borders and paved the
way for reformist Prime Minister Hans Modrow to form a coalition
Government with four small non-Communist parties.
The party said it was investigating Honecker, Mittag and a third
official, Hans Albrecht of the southern region of Suhl, because they had
violated party rules and bore responsibility for the current condition
of East Germany.
The party said Honecker would not have to face questioning from
disciplinary officials because his health was too poor. Honecker
underwent a gall bladder operation shortly before he was deposed as
party leader.
A formal investigation into the actions of a senior official is often
the prelude to his expulsion from the party. Krenz and the new party
leadership have made clear they want to dissociate themselves from the
policies of the Honecker era.
Mittag, 63, was the highest-ranking official to be expelled from the
party in East Germany's current unrest. He became a full member of the
Politburo in 1966.
Party officials have accused Mittag of mismanaging the economy,
concealing the truth from the public and committing serious violations
of party rules. He was sacked from the policy-making Central Committee
on November 10.
* A small Communist-allied political party today took advantage of the
new atmosphere of free public discussion under Krenz and said East and
West Germany should consider creating a German confederation.--Reuter.
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