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Documents

February 10, 1966

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Department, 'Some Aspects of Israel's Foreign Policy and the GDR's Position Toward Israel"

A detailed analysis of Israel's founding and the history of East German foreign policy toward Israel and the Arab states. Vehemently attacking Israel, and emphasizing the close relations between West Germany and Israel, was considered essential to capture the interest of Arab audiences, steering them towards closer relations with the GDR.

March 21, 1973

East German Ambassador in Mogadishu Herklotz, 'Note About a Conversation with the USSR Ambassador to the SDR [Somali Democratic Republic], Comrade A. Pasiutin, on March 15, 1973'

The two ambassadors discuss relations between East and West Germany, as well as Somalia President Siad Barre's trip to visit Arab states.

January 13, 1970

Telegram from Walter Ulbricht to General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Leonid Brezhnev

Ulbricht informs Brezhnev about his visit to the UAR following an invitation from Nasser. He also says that he wants to get in contact with the Soviet Ministry for Foreign Affairs in order to establish a common line to present to the UAR. Ulbricht also announces a visit to the SAR and Iraq.

July 27, 1970

On the Visit of the UAR Party and Government Delegation led by President Nasser to the Soviet Union between 29 June and 17 July 1970

During the visit, the Soviet representative assured the UAR of continuing Soviet support. The UAR accepted Israel's right to exist. According to the GDR embassy in Cairo, Nasser's visit to the Soviet Union marks the beginning of increased UAR diplomatic activity in the region.

August 15, 1956

Ministry for State Security, Main Department II, ‘Egypt’

The economic relations between the GDR and the Republic of Egypt are presented, starting with the trade agreement signed on May 7, 1953, and the exchange of consular representation. Political relations between the countries were hindered, according to the report, by pressure from the FRG on Egypt and the question of whether recognizing the GDR meant creating a deeper split between the FRG and the GDR. The report also mentions problems in meeting the export and import plans set forth in the trade agreement, including unpunctuality on the side of the GDR’s trade missions. The report states that Nasser enjoys great popularity in his country as a result of his position towards the West, social politics within the country, cooperation with other Arab countries and improvements in the industrial sector. This is followed by a detailed description of Egypt’s political situation and a proposition to extend political and economic cooperation while trying to reduce the influence of the West. Finally, the report recommends continued rejection of Israel's demands for compensation.

January 31, 1953

Political Directive for the Delegation of the GDR to Conclude a Trade Agreement with the Egyptian Government

The directive mentions the rules for a GDR delegation visiting Egypt. The goal of the visit was the conclusion of a trade agreement advantageous to both countries. The delegates had to reject any discriminatory remarks against the GDR and other socialist countries, observe the press coverage about the meeting, pay close attention to political remarks, not contact other Germans in Egypt, and contact East Berlin if problems were to occur.

April 28, 1953

Report about the Closing of the Trade and Payments Agreement with Egypt

The report outlines the negotiations and discusses the importance of GDR support for the Arab countries, foremost Egypt. Having as its example the GDR-Finland trade agreement, the GDR-Egyptian trade agreement would be based on the exchange of goods in the amount of $13.5 million, which, for the Egyptian side, would consist mainly of cotton export. A credit was negotiated at 500,000 Egyptian Pounds. The report also mentions the satisfaction of the Egyptian government with the GDR for not having signed a reconciliation treaty with Israel. Also, a trade mission of the GDR’s foreign commerce office was discussed and approved by the Egyptian side.

April 22, 1980

Minutes of Conversation between Todor Zhivkov and Yasser Arafat, Damascus

The two leaders discuss the situation in the Middle East, and the role of the superpowers - the US and the Soviet Union.

January 4, 1968

Report by the Bulgarian Foreign Minister on the Ministerial Meeting in Warsaw on the Situation in the Middle East, 19-21 December 1967

Ivan Bashev presents a report on the CPSU-organized meeting in Warsaw, where Eastern European government officials exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East. Among the discussed topics were the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Yemeni Civil War, and recent developments in Iraq.