POLITICAL NOTES ON EAST GERMANY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R003600400011-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 27, 2006
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: October 27, 1949
• Content Type: REPORT

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Approved For ReleApe 2006/02/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R003600400011-0
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CLASSIFICATION 1'1A%
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CENTRAL INT IGENCE AGENCY REPORT NO.
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY Germany (Russian Zone)
SUBJECT political Notes on Wit Germany
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PLACE
ACQUIRED
25X1DATE OF I
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
D. D. C.. 91 AND 32. AS AC8NDZD. IT2 T@AMSNI58ICM OR U I. Riveutlwa
OP f8 COMTBNTB IC ANY IIANNZO TO AN OMADTMOCIZCD PZDSOM IS PROS
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1. A cabinet rieeting was held on 20 October to make clear the extent of Heinrich
Rau?s authority over the other ministries. It has been emphasized by AMA
officials that in Ger--any, as in the Soviot Union, the "Ministry of Economic
Planning is of special importance in the functioning of the entire government.
2. Alfred '?underlich (HDP) has been arpointed State Secretary in the Ministry of
Industry. However, he has already been informed in no uncertain terms by his
chief, Fritz Seltrann, that he Is expected to clay a completely passive role.
3. Dr. Kurt Fischer's preoent title is Chef der Folizei. A current reor'anization
in the police will We Fischer inienend?nt of the Minister of the Interior
(Dr. Karl `teinhoff, a former Social Democrat), leaving only the local "chutz-
polizei under the control of the Ministry. On the ot!r r hand, " teinhoff will
have under him a personnel section controllins all ministries.
40 Rudolf Arpelt was disappointed at his choice as the Garman representative in
floscow, as he had hored to be rent to Prague. The decision not to send him
there is regarded as a deliverate move to keep him from renewing his contacts
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DATE DISTR. 27 Oct. 1949
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in Czechoslovakia, where he resided for a long time and has many friends among
leading Communists.
Bruno }3aum, who has until now been the head of the economics section of the SED
Landesverband for Berlin, will "o to t 'arsaw as comercial attaehd.* Dr. Kurt
Raphael is to be commercial attache in Pra^rue.*
6. No 57A officers have entered the D'.nt building since the "Gerr?an Democratic
Reru lie" was set un. It appears that the Pussians will henceforth issue all
instructions through the SED, and will not deal directly with the ministries.
7. 'lost of the t?auptebtoilung chiefs of the WT will remain in the sane positions
in the corresponding ?'inistries. The following exceptions may be noted:
In the trale ministries: HA Forelr.*n Trade--Leonore Pieck Stainer, dau-4iter
of President 'Wilhelm. Pieck and wife of Police General Richard "twirlers
HA Irit irnal Trade--Josef Qrlorp (`? ED) e
MA Trade and Su1'ri7,y--7r~? (intx) C"'11 0 This document is hereby regraded to
ONFIDENTIAL in accordance with the
letter of 16 October 1978 from the
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 Approved For Release 2006/02/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R003600400011-0
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CENTRAL INTE],IGENCE AGENCY
In the Finance Ministry: HA Haushalt der Republik---Ernst Gut, formerly
with the Mecklenburg Finance Sfiinistry.
HA Banks and Insurance-Mans Baseler (LDP) from Thuringia, who is
characterized by ~.ED leaders in private, as "a very progressive man".
In the Postal Ministry: AA Post and Newspapers--Dr. Rudolf Lang, an
ex-Nazi who was interned by the United States forces in 1946.
In the Education Ministry: TIA Training and Instruction-Hans Siebert.
HA Universities and Scientific Bodies-Otto Ttalle.
HA Art and Literature-Herbert Volkn nn.
In the Justice Ministry: HA Legislation--Dr. TIano Nathan.
HA Audit and Control--(Mrs.) Dr. Heinze.
HA Strafvollzug-Dr. Werner Gentz.
8. Georg Lentsch, hitherto head of the Brandenburg State Control Commission.
(the.official investigative organ for the detection of economic sabotage)
has succeeded Bernhard Bechier as Minister of the Interior of Brandenburg,
following Bechler'a appointment to the GAI and transfer to Moscow.
*1 -----IC t: It is rumored that Baum spent some time in a German concentra-
Ion camp with the present Polish Prime Minister, Jdzef Cyrankiewicz, and that
he played a large part in persuading the latter to accept his position In the
Communist-controlled government. Dr. Raphael, a Communist, was in exile in
Czechoslovakia from 1933 to 1939.
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Approved For Release 2006/02/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R003600400011-0