Berlin - The German government has intervened to prevent the release of files kept by the East German secret police on former Chancellor Dr Helmut Kohl, writes Derek Scally.
The Interior Minister, Mr Otto Schily, said yesterday he would take "legal steps" if necessary to prevent the planned release of numerous transcripts of hundreds of tapped telephone conversations and other materials.
Ms Marianne Birthler, the head of the authority that maintains files of the secret police or Stasi, said the Kohl documents were of historical importance and should not be held back for political or personal reasons. "People of contemporary history are not entitled to as much protection as private citizens," she said.
