Chapter 337 - 120: Martial Law in Poland (2)

Chapter 337: Chapter 120: Martial Law in Poland (2)

"Where are you now?" Werner asked. "I thought all communications were cut."

"I’m at a military radio station on the outskirts of Warsaw," Krzysztof’s voice dropped lower. "The Ministry of Foreign Trade had some backup equipment, and I managed to use one of them in the chaos. Werner, some of the people on our list... a few we didn’t have time to get out... they’ve all been arrested now."

Werner’s hand tightened on the receiver.

There were fifteen people on that list. Only eight had been sent out so far. The remaining seven were still in Poland.

"You be careful," Werner said. "Krzysztof, for the time being, don’t try to contact me. I’ll find a way to contact you."

"I know. Werner, take care."

The radio went silent.

Werner sat on his bed and lit a cigarette. Outside the window, Berlin was still asleep, but he knew that hundreds of kilometers away in Warsaw, a historic upheaval was unfolding.

Jaruzelski—First Secretary of the Polish United Workers’ Party and Prime Minister, the general who was always wearing sunglasses—had finally made his move.

Was it pressure from the Soviet Union, or his own decision? Werner wasn’t sure. But he knew this martial law would change everything.

The honeymoon between East and West was over.

Reagan was already hard on the Soviet Union; Poland’s martial law would only strengthen his resolve.

Economic sanctions, technology embargoes, credit freezes—all the pressure would double.

And East Germany’s foreign debt had already surpassed twenty billion West German Marks. If the West fully tightened its credit, East Germany wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

But for Werner, crisis was opportunity.

He stubbed out his cigarette, picked up the phone, and dialed Gunter’s home number.

"Hello?" Gunter’s voice was groggy with sleep.

"Comrade Gunter, it’s me, Werner."

"What time is it?" Gunter complained.

"Three-thirty. But you need to hear this," Werner said. "Poland is under martial law."

The line went silent for a few seconds, then there was a rustling sound. Gunter had clearly sat up.

"Are you sure?"

"My contact just sent a message via military radio. The army has taken over the country, the Solidarity Union leaders have been arrested, and civilian communications have been cut."

"Damn it," Gunter said. "This means... the borders will be sealed, and trade will be halted."

"Exactly," Werner said. "All our business with Poland will have to be suspended. But, Comrade Gunter, this is also an opportunity."

"What opportunity?"

"Poland is going to need massive amounts of supplies—food, medicine, fuel. We can use Koko’s official channels to provide these supplies to Poland in the name of ’aid to a brother nation,’ but we can charge them three to five times the normal price."

Gunter was silent for a moment. "Werner, is that... appropriate?"

"Perfectly appropriate," Werner said. "This isn’t profiteering; it’s a special arrangement for a special time. We can help the Polish Government stabilize the situation while also generating revenue for East Germany. Moscow will certainly support it."

Gunter was convinced. "Alright, we’ll hold a meeting first thing tomorrow to discuss it. Prepare a plan."

"No problem."

**************

After daybreak, Werner took a shower, changed into a suit, and drove to Koko Headquarters.

On the way, he turned on the radio. The East German national radio station was broadcasting the news:

"...The Polish United Workers’ Party and government have announced the implementation of martial law to respond to the destructive activities of domestic counter-revolutionary forces. The government of the German Democratic Republic expresses its resolute support for the legitimate measures taken by the Polish party and government to maintain social order..."

At Koko Headquarters, the emergency meeting had already begun.

Besides Gunter, there were also officials from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, a representative from the Stasi, and even a Soviet advisor.

"The situation in Poland is very serious," said the official from the Ministry of Foreign Trade. "During the martial law, all foreign trade has been suspended. We have a shipment of goods at the port in Warsaw that’s now stuck."

"How big is the loss?" Gunter asked.

"At least five million West German Marks."

A sharp intake of breath could be heard around the conference room.

"But that’s not the worst of it," said the Soviet advisor, a grim-faced Russian in his fifties. "The West will impose sanctions on Poland, which will affect trade throughout Eastern Europe. Your East German foreign debt is already very high. If your credit is cut off..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood what it meant.

"So we must find a solution," Gunter said. "Werner, do you have any suggestions?"

Werner stood up and walked to the map on the wall. "Gentlemen, Poland’s martial law is a crisis, but it is also an opportunity. The crisis is that direct trade has been cut off. The opportunity is that Poland is now in desperate need of supplies, and we are in a position to provide them."

He pointed to the map. "I propose we use Koko’s official channels to provide relief supplies to Poland under the guise of ’mutual assistance within the socialist bloc.’ We can procure food, medicine, and fuel from the West, then sell them to the Polish Government for three to five times our cost. It would be aid in name only; in reality, it’s just trade."

"Will the Polish Government agree to that?" the Stasi representative asked.

"They’ll have no other choice," Werner said. "Under martial law, Poland’s economy will face even greater difficulties. They need supplies to maintain stability, and we are the only channel that can provide them quickly. What’s more, we can also provide sensitive equipment—communication devices, riot gear—to help the Polish military maintain order. This way, we make a profit and support a brother nation."

The Soviet advisor nodded. "That’s a good approach. Moscow also wants us to support the Polish Government and help stabilize the situation."

"There’s one more thing." Werner paused. "Poland has arrested many members of the Solidarity Union."

"And?" the Stasi representative asked.

"The West German Government might be willing to pay a ransom for them," Werner said. "It’s like during the Gdansk strike last year, when we helped some Poles get to West Germany and the West German Government paid for it. The situation is similar now, just on a larger scale. We can act as the middleman, facilitating a political prisoner exchange between Poland and West Germany, and take a cut from the deal."

The Stasi representative’s eyes lit up. "That’s an excellent idea. What are the operational details?"

"We can approach Poland through official channels and propose the release of certain political prisoners under the guise of a ’humanitarian exchange’," Werner explained. "Of course, we would pay the Polish Government a fee to compensate for their ’loss.’ Then, we turn around and hand these people over to West Germany for a much higher ransom."

"That would require the cooperation of the Polish military," Gunter said.

"I can go to Warsaw and negotiate," Werner said. "I have some connections in Poland. I should be able to make it happen."

The Stasi representative nodded. "Alright, it’s worth a shot. But Werner, you must remember that on an official level, we are securing foreign currency for the state. As for the specific operational details... you use your own discretion."

The statement was cleverly worded.

On the surface, it was authorization. In reality, it was a hint: ’You can line your own pockets from this deal, but don’t screw it up.’

"I understand," Werner said.

"Then it’s settled," Gunter said. "Werner, I’m putting you in charge of both the relief supplies and the political prisoner exchange."

After the meeting, Werner returned to his office and immediately began making arrangements.

***************

On December 15, Werner drove to the Frankfurt-Oder River on the border between East Germany and Poland.

The pass he carried was a special one from the Stasi, stamped with a red seal that read "Emergency Relief Supplies Coordinator." In Poland under martial law, such a document was more valuable than gold.

At the border checkpoint, a Polish soldier carefully inspected his documents, then saluted and waved him through.

"Good luck, Comrade," the soldier said.

Werner drove into Polish territory and immediately felt the atmosphere of martial law.

The roads were dotted with military checkpoints. Armored vehicles were parked on the roadsides, and soldiers with live ammunition inspected passing vehicles. Helicopters frequently flew overhead, their rotors creating a deafening roar.

The cities were even more oppressive.

The streets were nearly devoid of pedestrians. Most shops were closed, with only army patrols and police cars cruising back and forth.

The walls were plastered with martial law proclamations, their large red characters startlingly conspicuous:

"NO PUBLIC GATHERINGS! VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED UNDER MILITARY LAW!"

"CURFEW: 10 PM to 6 AM!"

"REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS PERSONS IMMEDIATELY!"