APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9
Science
A. General (S)
The quality of East German scientific research is good in fields which it has emphasized and supported. In overall technical competence East Germany ranks with the best among the Eastern European countries. When compared with the West German scientific effort, the country lags significantly in basic research bit is nearly on a par in applied research and industrial technology. In general, research is still hampered by government restrictions, a lack of equipment, and the loss of scientific-technical manpower suffered in the 1950's. The constant reforms and reorganizations of the inner structures within scientific organizations, key personnel replacements, and rigid controls of scientists and technologists at all levels have resulted in low morale and distrust among dedicated scientists in the country. Despite losses of large numbers of scientists and engineers who defected before the erection of the Berlin Wall, however, the personnel situation at research institutes is relatively good.
Before World War I Germany was considered the leading country in the world with respect to overall scientific accomplishments and capabilities. The scientific community enjoyed unusually good support from the government, and the country in general was oriented toward science and technology, providing a good environment for research in all branches of science. The outstanding achievements of German scientists in all important fields of science, as shown by the large number of Nobel prize winners, served to lend prestige to and stimulate interest in scientific research in Germany. Several factors contributed to the decline in Germany's relative position in the scientific world, including the unfavorable intellectual climate prevailing during the period of National Socialism and the rapid growth of science in other countries. During the period when the country was under Nazi rule, many prominent scientists left Germany, and emphasis was placed on military research and development. The scientific effort was affected seriously not only by the destruction during World War II of many universities, technical schools, research institutes, and laboratories but also by the Soviet occupation following the war. Much laboratory equipment was removed, and many scientists, engineers, and technicians were deported to the U.S.S.R.
Research and development activities are oriented toward the economic needs of the country and requirements of the U.S.S.R. East Germany plays a leading role after the Soviet Union in the Council for Economic Mutual Assistance (CEMA). The planned economy of the country retards progress in some technical fields as research becomes more and more adjusted to industrial production. Although the official position regarding support to basic research has vacillated, such research appears to be declining, while applied research is increasing in importance.
As a result of Soviet pressure, scientific relations between East and West Germany have been very limited. At least up until 1972, the Government has discouraged East German scientists from belonging to West German scientific societies and has applied pressure to force scientists to resign their memberships
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R00020011022-9
