ALL-GERMAN SECTION OF THE VDK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004600580004-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 8, 2007
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: August 16, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/08/08 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA004600580004-7
Or
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SECRET
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT 15 TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
042354
1. The Alliance of German Consumers' Cooperatives (Verband der deutcchen KonsumCcnos-
senschaften -- VDK) of the Soviet zone of Germany, with headquarters in Berlin-
Mitte, Gtresetnannstrasse 128 (near the Potsdamer Platz), headed by Dr. Greta
Wittkowsky, has an "All-German" Section whose chief is (fnu) Thorwirt. This man
came from Rostock in April 1952 as the successor to Hans Hummel. There is supposed
also to be an "All-German" section in each of the Sezirk branches of the VDK.
2. The All-German Section's functions are exclusively of a political nature. It attempts
to spread the pro-Eastern "peace propaganda" among the members of West German coopera-
tives, and to prepare such persons for eventual acceptance' of Socialism as practised
in East Germany. The bulk of the members of consumers' cooperatives in West Germany
are affiliated with the SPD. The "Ail-German" Section of the VDK works in close
association with the SED and with KPD headquarters in Dusseldorf. Cornnmist function-
aries, trained in East Germany, were sent to West Germany as "instructors" for con-
sumers' groups.
3. Delegations of members of cooperatives in West Germany were organized for visits to
East Germany. The visitors were escorted everywhere by carefully chosen SED
functionaries. Other members have been sent to training cQurses at a school run by
the VDK in Thuringia. In these cases transportation was arranged by the Central
Committee of the SED, and surveillance was maintained by the SSD.
4. The "All-German" Section of the VDK has organized vacation visits in Prst Germany for
children of West German members of cooperatives, and has given the children gifts of
clothing upon their return to their homes. All expenses were borne by the VDK.
5. The VDK maintains liaison with various other organizations for the purpose of recruit-
ing possible espionage agents, and sometimes provides "cover" for agents of the SFS.
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United State, within the mean-
ing of the Espionage Laws. Title 18. U.S.C. Bees. 793
and 794, the Uanatnisaton or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. 25X1
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 16 Aagust 195/,.
NO. OF PAGES a- 25X1
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
25X1
REFERENCES