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

[Berlin] 31 January 1953

Political Directive for the Delegation of the Government of the German Democratic Republic to Sign a Trade Agreement with the Egyptian Government

I. Tasks of the Delegation

1. Signing of a Trade and Payments Agreement with Egypt between the Government of the German Democratic Republic and the Egyptian Government based on mutual benefit for both countries and according to the trade-political directives as mandated by the Ministry for Foreign and Intra-German Trade.

2. In case of a favorable progress of negotiations, respectively after the signing of an agreement, it has to be attempted to receive an assurance by the Egyptian Government that the organization of the planned Industrial Fair is supported. (It is noteworthy here that the organization of the fair is within the purview of the Chamber of Foreign Trade of the GDR).

3. Requests and proposals by representatives or envoys of the Egyptian Government, or by governments of other Arab states, have to be acknowledged without sharing ideas or proposals of your own. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has to be informed immediately. In case an authorized side from the above-referenced states is expressing a willingness towards further development of relations with the German Democratic Republic, the response must state the following: The Government of the German Democratic Republic is positively inclined towards such proposals as long as they are observing the principle of reciprocity. In such a case as well, instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to be solicited immediately.

II. Demeanor and Working Methods of the Delegation

1. All negotiations are to be conducted by the delegation. Only the head of the delegation and his deputy are allowed to make authoritative statements in the name of the delegation. Outside of the negotiations, conversations must be always held by two members from the delegation.

2. If during negotiations difficult problems or questions of special economic- or trade-political importance are coming up, the delegation may ask for a recess of the talks. If possible, information from Berlin is to be solicited immediately. If this is not possible, the delegation must draft a written response collectively. This response can be provided orally during the following round of talks. In addition, it can also perhaps be handed over as a memorandum in written form.

3. During the negotiations, the political remarks of the partner deserve special attention. It will be necessary to write down certain phrases verbatim in the report for Berlin.

4. If during negotiations or in conversations statements of discriminatory character against the German Democratic Republic respectively pertaining to one of its leading personalities are made, they have to be rejected in a befitting manner.

If discriminatory remarks might be made during the negotiations, the head of the Egyptian delegation has to be asked for an official clarification whether this is the official position of the delegation respectively or the Egyptian Government. In case of potentially serious or rude insults, the negotiations are to be paused and a statement from Berlin is to be solicited. The same kind of reactions are to be applied in case of discriminatory remarks made against the Soviet Union or another fraternal state.

5. The reactions of the Egyptian press concerning the visit of the delegation are to be followed continuously.

6. It is necessary to be vigilant against attempts of surveillance and provocations. Especially no contacts are to be made with [West] German so-called experts (military and business people), who are around in Egypt in significant numbers.

7. If people or representatives from non-Government institutions are desiring to talk, in each case two members of the delegation - except for the head of the delegation- can listen to them. Yet they are not supposed to engage in negotiations with them or provide statements.

8. In case of an official reception by the Egyptian delegation or the Egyptian Government, a response in form of a toast is required following a toast by the host. This toast has to be prepared in advance. The content of such a toast is to be limited to expressing the wish of the German Democratic Republic for positive economic cooperation and good friendly relations. The toast is to be given by the head of the delegation, if the host is giving its toast also by the head of the delegation or an higher-ranking member of government.

An official reception by the partner needs a respective response by the [East] German delegation. Reciprocity, this is the same pattern and scope, is to be observed. In this case the German head of delegation has to deliver the toast first. In terms of content, it has to correspond to what is said in the paragraphs above, however, without being verbatim identical.

In case there is not statement made during a potential Egyptian reception, there also is no statement to be made during the German reception held in response.

9. An official gift by the Egyptian to the German delegation can be excepted. No gifts are to be taken along by the German side.

Having taking note of the above directive with the obligation of strictest adherence:

4 February 1953

[8 handwritten signatures, in part illegible]

[Among them:]

Fritz Koch

Eberhard Kohrt