Call for Papers
International Conference
held by
the Education and Research Directorate of the Federal Commissioner for the Files of the State Security Service of the former German Democratic Republic
and the
Research Division of the Military History Research Institute (MGFA)
on 3 and 4 December 2007
at MGFA in Germany/Potsdam on the topic:
“The role of military and state security
in the internal and external security concept of the participating states of the
Warsaw Treaty Organization”
The conference is divided into four topical sections focusing on the general topic from a certain perspective:
- The relationship between internal and external security in the states of the Warsaw Treaty Organization: sharing of responsibilities, interaction, cooperation and surveillance
- Security apparatuses and party between foreign determination and own rationale
- Crises of the Eastern bloc and their repercussions on security concepts and crisis management (1953, 1956, 1958-62, 1968, 1980/81, 1985ff.)
- Process of détente, CSCE and disarmament – chance or threat? Views and actions of military and state security in the 1970s and 1980s.
The conference endeavours to provide a, preferably, comparative analysis of the development and changes of the internal and external security system of the participating states between foreign determination and own interests.
In addition, we would like to establish a network of cooperation in the academic reappraisal of the Warsaw Pact. For this purpose, there will be an additional panel to inform the participating scholars of the source situation, the state of affairs in the national reappraisal of the history of the Warsaw Pact and current research projects in the individual states.
Anyone doing research on this topic who would like to deliver a paper of 20 to 25 minutes on one of the four sections is warmly welcome to submit a respective proposal by 27 April 2007.
Please send your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, institution and a short working title, a succinct abstract, a short CV and information about the current focus of research, if applicable, to:
Dr. Torsten Diedrich (MGFA) torstendiedrich@bundeswehr.org
or by letter to MGFA, Postfach 60 11 22, D-14411 Potsdam, Phone: +49-331 9714 527.
We hope to have kindled your interest in a cooperation and would be very glad to receive an offer for a paper. When the proposed topic is accepted you will receive an invitation to the conference. Expenses for travel and accommodation will be borne by the organizer.
Dr. Winfried HEINEMANN
Colonel
Military History Research Institute