WESTERN EUROPE - GERMANY: EAST ZONE GOVERNMENT

Created: 10/7/1949

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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EUROPE

GERMANY

Eact Zone Government Formationctober of the

Soviet-sponsored German Demo crattc Republic In East Germanyogical Sovietto developments in West Germany andoviet effort to regain the initiative in Germany. Tbe new regime, by claiming sovereignty over all Germany, -will enable the USSR to counter tbe attraction of the Bonn Government as the focal point of German unity. Moreover, establishment of the new regime with Its capital in Berlin may result in Increased Soviet pressure for the withdrawal of the western powers from Berlin. In an attempt to obtain the maximum political advantages from the East German state, the USSR will grant the new regime the appearance of greater Independence than the West German Government through such propaganda devices as promises of early troopeparate peace treaty, and diplomatic recognition by the USSR and the Satellites, it ts unlikely, however, that the USSR will risk early withdrawal of its troops from the Soviet Zone. Moreover, the Kremlin Is unlikely to propose seriously a' merger of the East and West governments until the Soviet position throughout Germany is considerably stronger.

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