"Including informants, the Stasi at one point would number one operative for every 66 East German citizens; so ruthless and efficient were they in their efforts to squelch dissent that even the KGB found itself occasionally appalled by the Stasi's methods." http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0813337445/ref=pd_sim_books/104-0188761-0538340 "Both IBM and Texas Instruments unknowingly employed Stasi spies who gathered information about computers and communications apparatus. Another group had developed a unique particle spray, similar to a chemical weapon, to spread over enemy communication stations and disrupt correspondence in case of war." Mmm. "Can you imagine a police informer for ever 6.5 persons in the country? All phones tapped. All packages/letters from the "outside" world opened and usually kept (stolen). Can you imagine spending your life in a 6x6 cell in total isolation. One young man (38y/o) lived for 9yrs, till his death, like that. Six medical students spent 3 to 11yrs in prison just for applying for a VISA! " Its getting easier.