Eduard Shevardnadze succeeds Andrei Gromyko as Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union; Gromyko becomes chairman of the Supreme Soviet.
5 July
1985
Agreement concluded between West Germany and the GDR on raising the interest-free overdraft ("swing") for the GDR from 600 million to 800 million marks.
31 July
1985
The removal of mines on the inner-German border is completed. The mines are replaced by enhanced electronic border security measures: the "Grenz- und Signalzaun II" ("Border and Signal Fence II") or the "Grenzzaun I/83" ("Border Fence I/83").
In contrast with the former "Grenzsignalzaun 74" ("Border Signal Fence 74"), which was designed primarily to warn of escapes, the "Grenz- und Signalzaun II" combines a secure border fence with signal fencing. The fence is made of expanded steel mesh panels connected to one another at the concrete posts. On top there are Y-shaped mountings with four signal wires on each prong that are meant to give the alert if the fence is climbed over.
There are also 16 signal wires attached on the GDR side (not on the Western side!); this shows clearly against whom the system is directed. As with the older signal fences, the destruction of a wire or simultaneous contact with two signal wires triggers an alarm. However, as opposed to earlier systems, the alarm cannot be heard at the location where it is triggered; it only comes up on a display in the command post of the GDR border troops.
The acoustic alarm gave the escapee, theoretically at least, the chance to withdraw and elude the search by border troops and People’s Police. The new system allows the border soldiers to seal off the relevant section without the escapee even noticing that an alarm has been set off.
Design of the "Grenzsignal- und Sperrzaunes II" showing the side facing "friends" (Source: BA-MA, GTÜ AZN 17790)
