STAFF NOTES: SOVIET UNION EASTERN EUROPE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86T00608R000400110019-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 16, 2005
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: November 28, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

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9~IH MOVE
Soviet Union
Eastern Europe
Confidential
November 28, 1975
No. 0778/75
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CONTENTS
November 28, 1975
USSR-Yugoslavia: The Kremlin Innocents
East Germany holds 16th Central Committee
Plenum
USSR: Er terinq US Car Market in 1976 . . . . . . 4
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USSR-Yugoslavia:
The Kremlin InnoceW,:s
On Thursday, Pravda ran an :authoritative article
that seems designed to limit the damage to Yugoslav-
Soviet relations caused by the anti-cominformist cam-
paign in Yugoslavia. The artic7..a carried the byline
I. Alexandrov, a pseudonym whic'.i means that it has
the imprimatur of the top KremU.n leadership.
The article is the most authoritative statement
out of Moscow on the cominforr'ist affair since the
matter became a cause celebre in Yugoslavia well over
a year ago.
Alexandrev uses the shol..,vorn technique of casti-
gating "Western circles" for meddling in Yugoslavia's
affairs by supporting reactionary groups and for pro-
moting the idea that the Soviet Union threatens Bel-
grade's independence. In denying these "slanders,"
the article even goes so far as to say the USSR does
not oppose Yugoslavia's independent domestic and for-
eign policy.
The article also says positive things about
Tito's current efforts to trengthen his party against
the. opponents of socialism. Alexandrov specifically
mentions "coteries" and ":`.nd.ividual renegades" who
consider themselves the rust "orthodox" champions of
socialism--a clear referrnce to the cominformists.
In labeling them leftist sectarian, the Soviets seem
to be saying, for the fi::st time, that not only are
they not getting support from Moscow, but that they
are not ideologically worthy of support.
The article was probably prompted by the new
momentum in Tito's anti-cominformist campaign and
by the possibility that a public trial of the comin-
formists will result in more evidence of Moscow's
involvement. The Soviets may hope that the Alex-
androv statement of non-support for the cominformists
will cause Tito to forgo a public trial and otherwise
de-emphasize the anti-Soviet aspects of hin push for
greater internal vigilance.
November 26, 1975
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East Germany Holds 16th
Central Committee P enum
The East Herman party plenum on fovember 26-27
examined documents to be presented at next year's
party congress, including drafts of the new party
program, revised party statutes, economic development
plans for 1976-89, and the recent East German - Soviet
friendship treaty. The plenum produced no surprises,
and the speakers frequently punctuated their remarks
with pro-Soviet platitudes.
The Politburo report proposed that the draft
documents be pub7,ished in January i.)76, undoubtedly
in order to afford time for debate and possible re-
vision before the final version i,,-i presented to the
party congress in May. Politburo candidate member
Jarowinsky delivered the Politburo's report, while
State Planning Co,irn;'.ssion chairman Schuerer spoke on
the 1976 draft national economic plan. Jarowineky's
presentat'.on appears to be an attempt to lay to rest
rumors that he was in trouble because of supply prob-
lems on the economic front.
The major theme of the Politburo's report, as
expected, was proper obeisance to the new Soviet -
East German friendship treaty. Once again emphasis
was given to the consolidation and intensification of
political and economic relations between Moscow and
East Berlin, the inviolability of frontiers (with
specific reference to the border between the two Ger-
man states), and the special status of West Berlin.
The report took a slap at Bonn by criticizing "na-
tionalist circles aad other reactionary forces, which,
on the pretext of national unity, try to hinder the
development' of the GDR and detach it from the social-
ist communi'.;-." The Fast German titular head of
state, Willi. 03toph. _.".ated that "any illusions in the
future abcu` rcuni "ic.,~? ion and so-called intra-German
relations are aLso -`,). med to failure."
November 28, 1975
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On the e.onomic front, the regime called for top
priority for improving living standards. Its aim is
to increase the material and cultural standards of
living through a high rate of development in produc-
tion, increased efficiency, and, the growth of labor
productivity. Tho regime continuer; to monitor con-
sumer desires closely. The report also noted the suc-
cessful coordination of East Germany's five year plan
with the five year plans of CEMA states.
The plenum discussed drafts of a revised party
program and party statutes. All references to German
reunification w4.ll probably be dropped from both the
program and statutes. Increased emphasis will very
likely be placed on the need to strengthen- socialism,
increase party ideopolitical work, promote Abgrenzung
(the identity of a separate East German nationality),
upgrade party membership requirements, and on a "new"
East Germany. The last takes into consideration East
Germany's new international status in the era of
detente, Helsinki, and UN membership.
The section of the Politburo report on the de-
velopment of international relations gave special
prominence to the preparations for the European Com-
munist party conference. The conference drafting
commission in East Berlin was instructed to continue
work on the existing draft and to "take into account
the discussions thus far." The results are to be
submitted to the draff-ina ' n'8 next meeting
in January 1976. F I
November 28, 1975
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USS%: Entering US Car Market in 1976
The USSR is readying its Fiat cars for sale
next year in US markets along the eastern seaboard.
The Satra Corporation of New Y-?.rk, the marketing
firm that is setting up the distributorship, expects
to sell 4,000 of the Soviet cars in 1976 and 6,000
to 10,000 in 1977 if models now under test meet US
pollution standards.
The USSR has been modestly successful in ex-
porting its Fiat-124, called Lada, to the West;
last year, Western Europe received about 40,000
Soviet-made cars, mostly Ladas, and exports are
increasing. In Western Europe, the Soviet cars are
priced at less than $3,000, below the cost of West-
ern cars of that size. In the US, a Lada four-door
sedan, bearing a price tag of about $4,000 including
a tariff of In nAcent, will be less of a bargain.
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November 28, 1975
CONFIDENTIAL
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