Central (C): Germany (East) (CS). Internal Political Affairs in the Soviet Zone of Germany; Riots in Berlin, 17 June 1953

A file of reports and correspondence concerning British responses to the East German uprising of June 1953. The documents discuss a speech by Hilde Benjamin, the new Minister for Justice in East Germany; the extensive reshuffle of the Central Committee of East Germany, with a number of new ministers elected; a set of policies proposed by the new leadership, including the peaceful reunification of Germany and a settlement of internal German trade; a paper on the internal economic consequences of the recent disturbances; and a series of reports regarding the internal situation within East Germany and its political parties. Other documents include a set of communications with Vladimir Semyonov, the Soviet ambassador to East Germany; a dispatch concerning the evolution of government policy two months after the uprising; and an article in Pravda claiming that Germany "has not been turned into a second Korea" despite new repressive policies.