EASTERN EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00864A001200020090-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 2006
• Sequence Number: 90
• Publication Date: August 4, 1972
• Content Type: STUDY

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#147 EASTERN EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCER OCI #0946/72
4 August 1972
State Dept. review completed
Pankow has again been the first to comment on a major
bloc event, this time the Crimea summit. On 2 August the
East German news agency AD1q carried a politburo statement
approving Honecker's report on the meeting. According to
this statement major international issues were discussed,
but "special attention" was given to the situation in Europe.
In the statement the SED leadership "highly valued" the meet-
ing as a forum for a "fruitful exchange of views" and. assessed
the results as a "new, convincing proof of the unbreakable
unity and constant deepening of the fraternal alliance between
our parties, peoples and states."
Despite these sugary words, issues crucial to the GDR.
seem to have been given very short shrift. The statement
said that "the broad. international recognition of the GDR
on the basis of the principles of international law is proving
a topical task with a favorable influence on the political
climate of our continent." To describe the recognition issue
as a "topical task" is a far cry from normal SED practice.
In addition, no mention at all was made of GDR entry into
the UN or its specialized,agencies.
To add insult to injury the statement even gave favor-
able mention to the Federal Republic. In describing the
"new situation" and "new developmental phase" in Europe, for
which the Soviet "flexible policy" and "jointly agreed-on
policy of the socialist community" were of course given major
credit, the statement said: "It is noteworthy that the new
situation in Europe is a result also of the endeavor of the
Brandt-Scheel government to develop businesslike relations
with the Eastern countries." In light of the present caiffi-
cult Pahr-Kohl negotiations, recent efforts by the Federal
Republic to keep Pankow out of the UN's specialized agencies,
and it's attempts to prevent other states from recognizing
the GDR, this conciliatory position toward the FRG is
inconsistent with recent practices.
The impression is created that-Soviet words and policy
intentions have been placed in East German mouths. It remains
to be seen how far this conciliation will go. It has happened
in the past that positions taken at or directly after summit
conferences have been quickly eroded. Preliminary statements
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that is what the politburo statement signifies, does not
indicate that the 2-3 August Bahr-Kohl sessions were not easy.
On 3 August Bahr said that the talks were making "very, very
difficult" progress. Kohl confirmed that there was a "whole
series of obstacles" and described the progress as "certainly 25X1
difficult." Even a more conciliatory approach by the GDR, if
assure easy or quick negotiations.
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commission. The primary focus of the body would be on
economic matters, but it would- also deal with broader ol? -
ical and cultural problems.
Bijedic St're's'se's' Closer US-Y'ugoslav' Ties
A memcon of Premier Bijedic's talks with Ambassador Toon
on 30 June has just become available. Bijedic was extremely
apologetic for his belated reception of Toon, who took up his
post last October, saying that his busy schedule and an
unspecified bureaucratic mixup were to blame. He pressed Toon
as to how he had been received, saying that it was particularly
essential that the American Ambassador should have a clear
understanding of Yugoslav objectives. Were all doors open?
Had Toon seen all the people he wanted. to see and had they
been frank and open in their conversations? Bijedic went one
step further, saying that if at any time Ambassador Toon had
a problem essential to his mission, he is to feel free to call
on the Premier's office for help in resolving it.
Bijedic then took the opportunity to review at length
Yugoslavia's political and economic progress over the last
few years. In both cases he asserted, Belgrade has set its
course--there will be no deviation despite disapproval by
other communist countries. Politically, much remains to be
done in connection with the next set of constitutional
amendments, but Bijedic expressed the opinion that many of
the thorny problems had been and are being resolved.
Commenting on Yugoslavia's closer ties to CEMA, Bijedic
said there is no need for concern on the part of Western
governments. Belgrade is aware of the dangers from excessive
Soviet economic penetration, "and would take .the necessary
prophylactic measures." He candidly admitted that Yugoslavia
needs an outlet for gocdswhich cannot compete on western
markets an&CEMA-offers useful opportunities.
With regard to US-Yugoslav relations, Bijedic said the
Federal Executive Council (Cabinet) is considering making
a formal proposal for the creation of a joint US-Yugoslav 25X1
NOTE: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ABOVE REPRESENT
ONLY THE ANALYSIS OF THE EE BRANCH
Appro