Leonid Brezhnew during his state visit to the GDR, Berlin, 4 Oktober 1979 (Photo: Bundesarchiv, Image 183-U1004-041, Photographer: Wolfgang Kluge)
In a discussion with the SED Politburo on the 30th anniversary of the GDR, the Soviet party and state leader Leonid Brezhnev warns that productivity must be increased.
After all, he says, it is right "when it is said that one can only use what one has produced. None of us wants to live at the cost of others or declare himself bankrupt." Officially, Brezhnev announces the withdrawal of 20,000 Soviet soldiers and 1,000 tanks from the GDR ("Berlin Initiative").
RIAS report from East Berlin on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the GDR, 6 October 1979 (in German) (Source: Archiv Deutschlandradio, Broadcast: Rundschau am Mittag, Moderator/Reporter: Peter Kohagen, Ernst Steinke)
At city parliamentary elections in Bremen, the party "The Greens" enters the Land Parliament for the first time.
21-28 October
1979
The Chinese party leader and premier Hua Guofeng visits West Germany. Among other things, a cultural agreement is signed.
31 October
1979
The two German states strike new agreements on transport issues. Instead of the previous fee for road use, a lump sum is set of 50 million DM annually.
