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[b]January 1st, 1950
East Berlin, German Democratic Republic[/b]

 1950. A new year, and one that was bound to be full of surprises for both the Warsaw Pact and NATO. Just a few years previous they had concluded the most destructive war mankind had witnessed and Wilhelm Pieck knew that his country in particular had been one to suffer the consequences. The economy was still very much in shambles, entire families were being separated, and people were fleeing what seemed to be almost daily. Naturally, this put the leader in a tight spot, but improving relations with the rest of the Pact was bound to be valuable. He, however, had yet another idea on mind though. 

Berlin. It had a crack right down the middle that the leader very much intended to repair. How to go about it was still very much floating around in his mind, but at least one thing was clear so far to nobody but his closest advisers: by the end of the year he intended to begin negotiations for control over the Western sector. It seemed like a far-fetched dream as long as NATO forces were present, but it was German territory so rightfully belonged in German hands. That, of course, still left the second issue in which Pieck began addressing to Moscow directly. 

[i]To: I.V.Stalin
From: W.Pieck

Comrade, I wish you a very healthful New Year. However, it has been a concern of mine for awhile that development in the GDR is stalling behind that of the west. As you very well know, both our nations suffered heavy losses during the war and recovery hasn't been easy. As a result, we intend to start this new year off positively by requesting economic aid. 

In solidarity, Wilhelm Pieck[/i]

Pieck finished up the letter and then sealed it to be sent off to Moscow. He anticipated a quick response, being on good relations with the Motherland itself. Still, it gave him time to prepare a layout for all the year's goals and perhaps even address the nation too. They themselves seemed to have very mixed reactions to current events so the least he could do was boost morale.