West Germany Wanted to 'Buy' the East

World | October 4, 2011, Tuesday // 09:39|  views

Ludwig Erhard hoped problems with the Soviet Union's struggling economy would grant his offer a fair reception in the Kremlin Photo: EPA

West Germany was ready to offer the Soviet Union USD 2 B a year for a decade in return for East Germany, US files have reportedly revealed.

Der Spiegel has seen a document showing that a conversation has been carried out between a German government official and George McGhee, the US ambassador to Bonn, in October 1963. The document suggests West Germany was willing to sacrifice a quarter of its GDP to "buy" East  Germany.

Under the so-called "Erhard plan", named after West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard, in return for the money, Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviet leader, would agree to a phased withdraw from East Germany, leading to self-determination and eventual reunification, The Telegraph reports.

A 1963 CIA report claims that Erhard had "suggested he was willing to offer 'substantial' sacrifices by West Germany perhaps in the form of economic aid in return for Soviet concessions on reunification".

On Monday, Germany celebrated the anniversary of its reunification 21 years ago after four decades of Cold War division.

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Tags: West Germany, East Germany, ludwig erhard, Cold War, Soviet Union

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