NICHOLAS M. SALGO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2011
• Sequence Number: 78
• Publication Date: October 14, 1986
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
EXECUTIVE SECT FARIAT
ROUTING SUP
ACTION
INFO
DATE
INITIAL
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DDCI
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EXDIR
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/ICS
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DI
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DDA
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DDO
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DDS&T
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Chm/NIC
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GC
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IG
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Compt
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D/OLL
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D/PAO
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D/PERS
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VC/NIC
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A/DDO/N
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C/SPG/NC
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D/Exec St
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ASAP
Date
r ry
14 Oct 86
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
CONPIBENTi-m
EMBASSY OF THE I I!;. 4724X
Budapest, Hungary
September 26, 1986
MEMORANDUM
TO: INR - Ambassador Abramowitz
FROM: Nicholas M. Salgo
SUBJECT: Comparing Eastern European Societies
As I near the end of my three-year assignment in Hungary,
I am all the more impressed with the significant differences
which exist among the countries of the Warsaw Pact in terms
of outlook, political practices, toleration of dissidents,
cultural policies, economic controls, religious freedom,
administrative procedures, etc. I believe that these
differences have considerable significance for the future
development of these countries and our ability to design
constructive relations with each of them. Nevertheless,
I have not yet seen an attempt to set forth precisely in
a structured manner the nature of these differences upon
which a comparative survey could be developed. I am attaching
a list of categories which we, in Budapest, have developed.
I would be very happy if you would take a look at them,
evaluate them, and have your own specialists modify them
and, as appropriate, develop additional categories. My goal
would be to then ask all the posts in Eastern Europe for their
input which would be the basis for a comparative survey to
be produced in Washington.
I would very much appreciate receiving your reaction to this
proposal.
//1NF I DENT I T T
OADR
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
A MATRIX FOR THE EXAMINATION OF PRACTICAL DIFFERENCES
EASTERN MUM GOVERNMENTS
A. POLITICAL
Degree of local democracy (e.g. can referendums be used to overturn,
decisions made by local authorities;
Mandatory multiple candidates for local and national positions;
Level of availability of mother tongue schools and cultural institutions
to meet ethnic demand;
Extent of access by population to foreign media and publications;
Level of tolerance of Samizdat publication and distribution;
Ability to travel to Western countries;
Tolerance of unofficial interest groups
Ability to travel to socialist countries; extent of and restrictions on
local cross-border traffic.
B. CULTURE AND MASS MEDIA
U.S. films shown (especially percent of total available to general public).
Types of U.S. films shown (i.e. to what extend are such films selectively
chosen to portray a highly negative view of American life).
Treatment of reporters (U.S. and other Western re: visas, access to
sources, etc.)
Contact with universities (direct or through Ministry -- relative ease of
access).
Contact with TV/Radio (ease of access, receptiveness/initiative in
covering U.S. topics).
Co-ops with USIA/TV (coverage of the U.S. by on-site TV personnel).
Worldnet (accessibility of national TV to Worldnet via antennas or
cassette).
Policy on TV/Radio (jamming of VOA, RFE, other Western alternate sources
of information).
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
Application of Cultural Treaty (whether treated as ceiling or floor for
P&C programs).
Degree of local access to PF,C Library, etc. (programs/films by general,
specialized publics).
Coverage of U.S. in media (boiler plate propaganda or appeal to reason).
Access to Youth (KISZ, language programs).
Private sector exchanges (ease and volume of "non-official" institution-
to-institution programs).
Exhibits (number of U.S. exhibits and access.to wider publics -- regional
tours)
C. HUMANITARIAN/FREEDOM OF MOVE4ENT
CSCE issues: Treatment of divided families, etc. (POL should handle).
Period between allowed trips to West by natives.
Emigration allowed between 18-55?
Amount of hard currency local citizens can possess legally.
Amount of hard currency local citizens are allowed to take out.
Willingness to exeditiously grant emigration permission to spouse of
American citizens, alien residents and their families.
D. COMMERCIAL
Availability of business visas.
Access of enterprises and end-users.
Availability of business services.
Requirements for opening a representational office.
Requirements for hiring local personnel.
Rules governing joint ventures.
Repatriation of local earnings.
General business climate.
Availability of marketing information.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
E. ECONOMIC
How are state enterprises held accountable - i.e. by quantative production
norms or profitability.
Does the obligation of maintaining full employment fall on the state or
the enterprises?
How is the private sector treated - i.e. restricted, tolerated, limied
encouragement, only bound basically by professional qualification and
health considerations.
Are there multiple exchange rates? How realistic is/are exchange rates
vis-avis convertible currencies?
How adequately does the domestic economy meet the consumer needs of the
population, i.e. partially, adequately, some luxuries available to an
elite, some luxuries available to the general public and rationed by price.
What investment and savings opportunities exist for individuals, i.e. only
low interest savings account, housing, savings accounts with a real return
on the interest rate, limited bond market.
F. ADMINISTRATIVE/BILATERAL
Degree of access to foreign currency shops by host country nationals.
Necessity for diplomats to shop in hard currency only shops.
Different pricing system for foreigners, such as in hotels or rents
charged for diplomatic housing.
Inspection of diplomatic HHE both entering and leaving the country.
Ability of diplomatic establishments and foreign (Western) businesses to
freely hire needed host country nationals to work in their embassies or
businesses.
G. RELIGION
Which denominations are officially recognized?
Formal relationship between Church and State.
Availability of religious education to citizenry.
Availability of religious education to clergy.
Possibility to practice religious beliefs and hold Party positions.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1
Attitudes towards church attendance - To what extent does being an active
believer hinder one's professional career.
Ability of church to appoint local bishops freely.
State of relations with the Vatican.
H. SCIENCE
Acknowledgements by leadership of U.S. (and West) preeminence in S&T
developments.
Uninhibited contacts and access to Western S&T communities; openly court
Western Governments, firms, institutions. '
Expressed policy initiatives to expand S$T cooperation with Western
Governments.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/12/29: CIA-RDP88B00443R002004490078-1