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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110019-3 '''FIGURE 4. Central SED structure (U/OU)''' (chart)

scientific institutes, educational institutions, villages, and residential areas - in fact, any place where "at least three party members are available."

Membership requirements for joining the party are carefully spelled out in the SED statutes. A candidate must be 18 years of age and file his application for admission with the appropriate basic party organization. Each candidate must be sponsored by two persons who have belonged to the SED for at least 2 years and have known the applicant for at least 1 year "in his vocational and social activities." During the required 1-year candidacy period, the applicant must familiarize himself with the party program and statues, and must "prove his mettle in vocational and social activities." During this period the party organization devotes constant attention to the candidate's political and ideological development.

After the 1-year candidacy period, the candidate must again petition the basic party organization for admission to full membership in the party. His application for full membership must again be sponsored by two party members. If the basic party organization decides that the candidate does not have all the necessary qualifications to be an SED member, it may prolong his candidacy period for another year. The decision of the basic party

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110019-3