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Document No. 14: Secret PCC Resolution on Restructuring and Modernization of Warsaw Pact Forces, March 29, 1961 ——————————————————————————————————————————— This PCC resolution, which came from the same meeting at which the Albanian crisis was discussed, reveals some of the effects of the Berlin crisis. The two emergencies happened at the same time but there was no causal connection. The resolution calls for restructuring and modernizing Warsaw Pact forces over the next five years, 1961–1965. It also recommends, among other steps, improving the ability of member-states to mobilize their economies for military production in time of war. The purpose of the resolution appears to be to prepare Warsaw Pact members, as the Berlin crisis continued to deteriorate, for the possibility of an armed conflict. ____________________ […] Having heard and discussed the question of specialization of military production in the Warsaw Pact states, and of the mutual supply of military equipment, the Political Consultative Committee notes that in the period since the May [1958] meeting of representatives of communist and workers’ parties of socialist countries, some work has been done to develop specialization and cooperation in the production of military equipment, as a result of which serial production of certain types of classic military equipment has been organized in some countries. However, up till now some countries have been producing the same types of military equipment in small quantities, and this does not facilitate lowering the material costs of producing it. There are cases of violations of contractual obligations concerning the mutual supply of military equipment between countries, and this effectively hinders specialization and cooperation in the production of military equipment. Taking into consideration the necessity of further developing specialization and cooperation in Warsaw Pact military production as a rational method, which creates opportunities for increasing output of military equipment using existing capacities, the Political Consultative Committee resolves: – To approve, as a basis, draft proposals on the volume of production and mutual supply of military equipment for the period 1962–1965. [The drafts would be] prepared with consideration for the requirements stated by the Unified Command and examined during the Comecon9 session on the defense industry , on March 17, 1961, in Moscow, with the participation of representatives of the State Planning Committees and General Staffs of the member-states of the Warsaw Treaty. – To instruct the State Planning Committees and Ministries of Defense of the Warsaw Pact states, with the participation of the Unified Command of the 9 Officially, the Council on Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA). 116 Armed Forces, to determine, within a two-month period [and] on the basis of draft proposals, the volume of production and mutual supplies, for [inclusion in] a report to the relevant governments. The exact quantity of mutual supplies of military equipment in 1962 and the following years has been agreed to by the member-states of the Warsaw Pact through bilateral negotiations, taking into consideration changes in the organization of armies and the introduction of new types of military equipment there. – When organizing the production of military equipment in 1962–1965, to take into account the need for further development of production of scarce parts and materials (vacuum and semiconductor devices, heat-resistant alloys, reinforced steel and others) in the member-states of the Warsaw Pact. – In order to implement these tasks, to expedite and rationalize existing production capacity and resources more rationally and, if need be, to assure that the countries’ economic plans have the minimum required funds to expand the existing capacity of the defense industry or to assimilate civilian enterprises. The Political Consultative Committee believes that one of the most important tasks in strengthening the defense capabilities of the Warsaw Pact states is to improve the mobilization readiness of the countries’ economies and especially to create mobilization capacities for the production of military equipment in time of war. The Political Consultative Committee instructs the Unified Command of the Warsaw Pact states’ armies, and the Comecon Commission on the Defense Industry, together with the Ministries of Defense and State Planning Committees, to strengthen work to streamline the economic mobilization plans of the Warsaw Pact member-states, especially by identifying through the mobilization plans “bottlenecks” that could slow down mobilization schedules, and by taking measures to get rid of bottlenecks during peace-time. [Source: ZK SED, DY 30/3386, SAPMO. Translated by Sergey Radchenko.] 117 ...

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