SITUATION REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006700600002-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2008
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: April 29, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00810A006700600002-3
NFORMATION REPORT FORMATION
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage I.awa, Title
18. U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which In any manner to an unauthorised person is prohibited by law.
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT Situation Report
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIREI
DATE ACQUIRED
REFERENCE
29 April 1955
NO. OF PAGES 2
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
SOURCE EVALUATIONS ARE DEFINITIVE. APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
1. No change has been noted recently in the mood of the population of the Russian
zone of Germany.
2. It is expected that May Day will be celebrated in the usual Communist fashion,
with the accent on the defense of East Germany. Rumors of plans for provoca-
tions in West Berlin are current but unconfirmed.
3. There is a rumor that railroad workers in the Soviet zone will use the May-Day
demonstrations as a pretext for causing a complete stoppage of rail traffic.
The Communists are concerned by this rumor and are attempting to identify the
leaders of such a resistance action.
4. Students wishing to attend technical schools must pledge themselves to a tour of
duty with the KVP or to participation in the paramilitary training of the GST.
5. The managements of those publicly owned enterprises which operated with large
deficits in 1954 are being investigated. Particular attention is being paid to
thL former SAG plants. Supposedly all plants and firms reporting a deficit of
more than 5,000,000 marks will be investigated. In connection with this action
a umber of dismissals, arrests, and suicides have been reported from the
Thalmann-Work (Erup -Grueon) in Magdeburg, the Industrie-Werk Ludwigefelde,
the EAW Stalin (AEG) in Berlin, and the Kirow-Werk (Unruh and Liebig) in
Leipzig.
6. A new state protective service has been established for installations owned by
the SED. Only SED members may belong to this service, which is under the
supervision of the Volkspolizei.
7. During March 1955 there were unsuccessful negotiations for additional food im-
ports to East Germany from other countries of the Soviet bloc. New discussions
have been initiated, but even if they are successful they will hardly result in
the arrival of any imports during the period when the shortages will be the
most severe, namely from May to July.
NAVY AIR X 'RI AEC
(Not. Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Field distribution by
Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00810A006700600002-3
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8. Applications for interzonal travel from the Soviet zone must now be submitted
in writing, and must be investigated before the permission is granted. This
measure is expected to help in preventing the flight of refugees from East to
West Germany. The new procedure causes a delay of several days, whereas pre-
viously the permission was normally received in a few hours. Interzonal
travel in private vehicles is permitted only to government personnel, SE)
Party members, and the like. Increased inspections of inland shipping are
also in effect.
9. All employees of the more important publicly owned enterprises were allegedly
required, late in April, to sign a pledge not to travel to West Berlin. Travel
to West Germany is permitted only in important cases and after thorough vetting.
10. KVP recruiting officers in the Leipzig, Halle, and Merseburg areas are con-
centrating on the recruitment of female clerical personnel. Persons hired
now are to report for duty on 1 July 1955. So far the quota has apparently not
been met. This campaign may be preliminary to the activation of a third KVP
corps (Korps Mitte).
U. The dismissal of supervisory personnel in the Ministry of Agriculture resulted
in extremely low morale and a temporary work stoppage. The entire Ministry
is undergoing a shake-up, and 15 section or branch chiefs are said to have been
dismissed.
Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006700600002-3