Western (R): Germany (RG). Recognition of GDR

A file containing a single letter concerning East German international relations. The letter discusses a tour of South-East Asia by Bruno Leuschner, the East German deputy prime minister, during which he visited Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, and India; Leuschner's failure to convince any of these countries to grant diplomatic recognition to East Germany; and the observation that he was nonetheless received in each country as if he were "a representative of a country the equal of any other with which they are in full relations". The letter also discusses the West German government's "Hallstein Doctrine", stating that West Germany will break relations with any country that recognises East Germany; and the West German government's cancellation of its supply of economic aid to Sri Lanka after the Sri Lankan government permitted East Germany to open a consulate-general in Colombo.