June 8, 1989
Assessment Paper by the Austrian Foreign Ministry, '[Excerpt] Eastern Europe; Current Assessment'
Osteuropa; aktuelle Lagebeurteilung
Generell: Reformprozess in SU hat für jene osteuropäischen Länder, in denen ebenfalls autonome Reformbestrebungen (schon vor Gorbatschow) zu verzeichnen waren (Ungarn, Polen), neuen, zusätzlichen Anstoß (sowohl im wirtschaftlichen, als auch im gesellschaftspolitischen Bereich) erbracht. In der ČSSR und in Bulgarien sind Wirtschaftsreformen nur sehr langsam und vorsichtig in Angriff genommen worden (bisweilen besteht der Eindruck bloßer Lippenbekenntnisse). In der DDR und in Rumänien wird – erklärtermaßen – kein Reformbedarf gesehen.
Die gesellschaftspolitischen Reformen haben in der SU und in Ungarn zu einer eindrucksvollen Belebung und Aufwertung des parlamentarischen Lebens geführt; in Polen steht dies ebenfalls bevor.
Die eingeräumte stärkere Unabhängigkeit von Moskau (ideologisch, aber auch wirtschaftlich und außenpolitisch) eröffnet erstmals seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg Chancen für demokratische Neugestaltung Europas unter Berücksichtigung der bestehenden Vielfalt und nationaler Eigeninteressen.
[…][1]
DDR: Stagnierende Tendenz verstärkt durch akut werdendes Problem der längst fälligen Generationsablöse; sinkendes Wirtschaftswachstum stellt bisheriges Dogma der „Einheit von Wirtschafts- und Sozialpolitik“ in Frage. Neue Weichenstellungen frühestens auf dem Parteitag im Mai 1990 zu erwarten. Generell steht DDR vor dem Problem, dass politische Reformen tendenziell nationalstaatliche Identität gefährden.
[…][2]
Wien, am 8. Juni 1989
Sucharipa m.p
[1] Ausgelassen wurde die aktuelle Lagebeurteilung zur Sowjetunion, Polen, Ungarn und der ČSSR.
[2] Ausgelassen wurde die aktuelle Lagebeurteilung zu Bulgarien, Rumänien, Jugoslawien und Albanien.
[Excerpt] Eastern Europe; Current Assessment
In general: the reform process in the USSR has provided new additional impetus (both in the economic, as well as in the socio-political field) for those Eastern European countries where autonomous reform efforts (even before Gorbachev) were also observed (Hungary, Poland).
In Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria, economic reforms have been taken on very slowly and carefully (sometimes making the impression of their paying mere lip service). In the GDR[1] and Romania – avowedly – there is no need for reform seen.
The socio-political reforms have led the USSR and Hungary to an impressive revival and enhancement of parliamentary life; in Poland, this is also about to happen.
The greater independence granted by Moscow (ideologically, but also economically and in foreign policy) opens up opportunities for the first time since the Second World War to democratically reshape Europe while taking into account diversity and national interests.
[…][2]
GDR: Stagnating tendency reinforced by acutely growing problem of overdue generational change; declining economic growth calls into question previous dogma of “Unity of Economic and Social policy.” A new course is expected to be set earliest at the party convention in May 1990. Generally, the GDR is facing the problem that political reforms tend to jeopardize the nation-state identity.
[…][3]
Vienna, on 8 June 1989
Sucharipa m.p.[4]
[1] German Democratic Republic.
[2] Omitted were the current assessments of the Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
[3] Omitted were the current assessments of Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia and Albania.
[4] Ernst Sucharipa (1947–2005), Head of the department for Eastern and Southeastern Europe in the Political Section of the Austrian Foreign Ministry (1987–1990); manu propria (signed with his own hand).
The paper addresses the change in economics, politics, and social structures in the Soviet bloc (Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the GDR) as a result of the USSR loosening up regulations.
Author(s):
Associated Places
Associated Topics
Subjects Discussed
- Germany (East)--Foreign relations--Soviet Union
- Bulgaria--Economic conditions
- Germany--History--Unification, 1990
- Bulgaria--Economic Policy
- Hungary--Politics and government
- Germany (East)--Politics and government
- Czechoslovakia--Economic conditions
- Czechoslovakia--Politics and government
- Germany (East)--Economic conditions
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