Text of New Travel Rules
Following is the full text of East Germany’s announcement on allowing its citizens to travel abroad or emigrate if they wish. The translation of the official ADN news agency dispatch was by Reuters news agency:
The government spokesman told ADN the Council of Ministers of East Germany has decided immediately to set in force the following stipulations for private journeys and permanent emigration until a corresponding parliamentary law comes into effect:
1. Private journeys into foreign countries can be applied for without fulfilling preconditions (reasons for travel, relatives). Permission will be given at short notice.
2. The relevant passport and registration offices of the regional offices of the People’s Police in East Germany have been ordered to issue visas for permanent emigration immediately without the present preconditions for permanent emigration having been fulfilled. Application for permanent emigration is also possible as before at departments of internal affairs.
3. Permanent emigration is allowed across all border crossing points between East Germany and West Germany and West Berlin and East Berlin.
4. Because of this (new ruling), the temporary issuing of permits in East German missions abroad and permanent emigration using East German identity cards through third countries will no longer apply.
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