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Article: West German Aid Helps East Germany Avoid Crisis
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- August 8, 1989
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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West Germany has gradually increased its economic aid to East
Germany in recent years, helping the hard-line leadership here
sustain one of the Communist Bloc's highest living standards while
resisting liberal reforms now sweeping much of Eastern Europe.
West Germany props up its smaller, less prosperous socialist
neighbor with myriad forms of assistance including direct grants,
lucrative trade concessions and cash payments to the swelling number
of East Germans visiting West Germany. Even the "care packages" of
Western goods West Germans mail to their relatives in the East are
estimated to be worth $500 million a year and are thought to play a
significant role in easing shortages here.
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