Gerhard Herder

Gerhard Herder entered East German public life through the Free German Youth organization after returning from Soviet captivity. He worked on its international relations, studied at the academy for state and legal studies, and earned a doctorate in law. He joined the Foreign Ministry in 1962 and later directed a policy department. ¹

Herder headed the East German trade representation in Beirut and became ambassador to Lebanon when full diplomatic relations followed. He subsequently worked on disarmament in Geneva and represented East Germany at the United Nations there. In 1983, he succeeded Horst Grunert as ambassador to the United States, with concurrent responsibility for Canada. ¹