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Summary of Meeting, 17 June 1961
Participants
German Side: Ambassador to Arab States Kiesewetter
Algerian Side: Belhocine, General Secretary, and Waker, Head of Bureau
Duration: 45 minutes
[…]
1) Ambassador apology: for failing to visit the General Secretary earlier.
2) Results of the Ambassador’s mission to Morocco: his stay lasted 5 weeks. He had an opportunity to meet our Head of Mission; he asked about the condition of our refugees and he finds it very troubling. It was decided that the GDR would open a commercial governmental representation in Morocco.
3) Suspension of the Evian negotiations: The Ambassador said he was worried about the reasons for this suspension. Detailed explanations were provided to him concerning our position.
4) Perspective after the suspension of negotiations: “Political solution or military solution?” We answered that the solution would be political but that we would not stop our armed struggle until we obtained guarantees on the achievement of the objectives of our revolution.
5) GDR assistance to refugees: The Ambassador informs us that a ship carrying food, clothes, medication, etc… (totaling 200,000 marks) is on its way to Morocco. Moreover, doctors will be dispatched to Morocco to help our refugees. It was proposed to send our few doctors (literally overworked according to the Ambassador) for a period of rest in the GDR or in Czechoslovakia.
6) GDR-Algerian government relations: A lengthy, constructive exchange took place on this issue. The Ambassador confirmed the intention of his government to reconsider the issue of our relations on an entirely new basis.
a) He reiterated the willingness of the East German government to settle all current differences by means of a meeting between government representatives.
b) He informs us that the GDR government is favorably considering the de jure recognition of our government “just as the Chinese have done,” and this without any initiative on our part.
7) The West Berlin problem: The Ambassador shared the determination of his government to end this problem. Serious developments could take place in the near future concerning this issue. East Germany and the socialist camp are intent on making Berlin a model of peaceful coexistence.
8) Finally, the Ambassador expressed his strong desire to meet Vice President Krim as soon as he returns to Cairo.
Summary of a June 17, 1961 meeting between Algeria (represented by General Secretary Belhocine and Head of Bureau Waker) and East Germany (represented by Ambassador to Arab States, Kiesewetter). The two sides discuss the suspension of the Evian negotiations between France and Algeria, East Germany's assistance for Algerian refugees in Morocco, and GDR-Algerian governmental relations. Ambassador Kiesewetter also expresses GDR's desire to peacefully coexist with West Germany in Berlin.
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The onset of the Algerian War of Independence in November 1954 was an important development in the international history of the Cold War. Coming as it did on the heels of the end of the First Indochinese War, the Algerian conflict further emboldened national liberation forces throughout the colonial and semi-colonial world, a region of increasing importance to policymakers in Washington and Moscow.