Beer and spies - "Stasi pub" divides Berliners

By Tom Koerkemeier

BERLIN (Reuters) - Two Berliners have caused a stir with a new "Stasi Bar" where guests can sip beer surrounded by listening devices and shredded documents, a stone's throw from the former headquarters of East Germany's dreaded secret police.

Owners Willi Gau, 60, and Wolfgang Schmelz, 53, say they want to provoke debate with their small bar.

But groups representing victims of the notorious Stasi have slammed the idea as tasteless.

"We mean it in a satirical but serious way," said Gau, standing by the entrance of his bar "Die Firma" (The Firm), where guests are greeted by a large sign featuring the emblem of the Stasi.

Inside, a mannikin dressed as an East German police officer and sporting a baton and handcuffs stands in front of a poster reading "Welcome to the capital of the German Democratic Republic (GDR)".

The owners serve beer and traditional East German food next to old typewriters and an urn reading "E.H. - 1912-1994", alluding to former GDR leader Erich Honecker. Regular guests can apply to become "Stasi informants" and get a discount.

"We respect the victims. We do not want to brush it under the carpet," Gau said, before adding it was time to take a new approach to Germany's painful past. "After 20 years we should change the way we talk about that topic."

Founded in 1950, East Germany's Ministry for State Security, commonly known as the Stasi, was seen as one of the most repressive police organisations in the world.