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13. GERMAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS: Communiqué by the President of the United States and the Chancellor of the German Federal Republic, April 9, 1953 1

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The President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and other members of the Cabinet have met during the past 3 days with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and had a full and frank exchange of views on the world situation in general and on American-German relations in particular. The conversations took place in a spirit of friendship and cooperation and revealed a farreaching identity of views and objectives.

The President and the Chancellor discussed the effects which recent developments in the Soviet orbit 2 might have on the East-West conflict. They were fully agreed that, while no opportunity should be missed to bring about a general relaxation of tension, the free nations of the West must not relax their vigilance nor diminish their efforts to increase their unity and common strength. They were further agreed that if the Soviet rulers are genuinely desirous of peace and cooperation among all nations, they could furnish no better proof of their good will than by permitting genuinely free elections in the Soviet occupied Zone of Germany and by releasing the hundreds of thousands of German civilian deportees and war prisoners still in Sov iet hands. They further stated their joint conviction that there can beeno lasting solution of the German problem short of a reunification of Gurmany by peaceful means and on a free and democratic basis. The ac ievement of this purpose calls for sustained common efforts of the signatory powers to the contractual agreements signed at Bonn last year.3

There was unanimity of conviction that all concerned should press forward unwaveringly toward European unity through early ratification of the treaty establishing a European Defense Community.+ Achievement of this goal will be accompanied by the establishment of German independence and sovereignty under the contractual agreements. The Chancellor declared that the Federal Republic of Germany is ready and willing to cooperate on a basis of equality and partnership with all the free nations of the West in strengthening the defenses of the free world. The Chancellor was given assurance that the United States would supply military equipment to the European Defense Community to assist in equipping the German contingents, once the treaty has been ratified.

The problem of the Saar was discussed and it was agreed that an early agreement should be sought in the common interest.

1 Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 20, 1953, pp. 565–566.

The "recent developments" here referred to were those which followed the death of Marshal Stalin, Mar. 5, 1953.

i. e., the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the German Federal Republic.

As of the date of this communiqué, only the Bundestag of the German Federal Republic had taken parliamentary action (Mar. 19, 1953) favoring ratification of the EDC Treaty.

See supra, p. 613.

415900-57-vol. 2- -6

Consideration was given to the special situation of Berlin and admiration expressed for the political firmness and courage of its inhabitants. It was agreed that the moral and material support needed to keep the city strong is a matter of primary importance. The Chancellor indicated that he had in mind further measures to increase production and reduce unemployment. The Secretary stated that consideration was now being given to assistance by the U.S. Government to investment and other programs to improve economic conditions in Berlin.'

The Chancellor indicated the great difficulties facing the Federal Republic because of the necessity to assimilate not only the millions of expellees who came earlier from eastern areas but the renewed stream of refugees from the Soviet Zone and beyond. The President and Secretary of State recognized the great efforts undertaken by the Federal Republic to care for these homeless persons and to preserve economic and social stability. The discussion took account of the possibility that the Federal Republic and Berlin might be unable to bear this burden alone. The Director for Mutual Security stated that careful consideration of this matter would be given in the course of the preparation of the Mutual Security Program for the year beginning July 1, 1953.2

The Chancellor raised the problem of war criminals. The future of the war criminals now in U.S. custody was discussed. The U.S. representative stated that his Government would reexamine the status of these prisoners and would also look forward to the possible adoption of new review procedures with German participation, as soon as German ratification of the treaties was completed.

The representatives of both Governments exchanged views concerning progress toward the freeing and expansion of world trade and the achievement of currency convertibility. The German representatives expressed particular interest in the reduction of tariffs and customs administrative barriers. For their part, the U.S. representatives noted President Eisenhower's statement of April 7 that "the world must achieve an expanding trade, balanced at high levels which will permit each nation to make its full contribution to the progress of the free world's economy and to share fully the benefits of this progress.'

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Representatives of the two Governments discussed a number of specific problems connected with the normalization of commercial relations between the United States and Germany, including the

1 See the summary of Feb. 13, 1953, by the Mutual Security Agency of the study of the Berlin economy made for the MSA by Richardson Wood and Company (Department of State Bulletin, Mar. 2, 1953, pp. 328-329), and the statement on aid to Berlin issued by the President, June 18, 1953 (ibid., June 29, 1953, p. 898).

2 See Section 101 (a) of the Mutual Security Act of 1951 as amended by sec. 703 of the Mutual Security Act of 1953; infra, pp. 3060-3061.

3 See the statement on procedures for clemency and parole for war criminals issued by the Allied High Commission, Sept. 1, 1953 (Department of State Bulletin, Sept. 21, 1953, p. 391).

See President Eisenhower's message to Congress regarding renewal of the Trade Agreements Act; ibid., Apr. 27, 1953, pp. 634–635.

prospects for increased use by German exporters of the trademarks owned by German nationals prior to World War II. It was noted that considerable progress had already been achieved in making such trademarks available to former German owners and that future progress in that direction was being sympathetically studied by the United States.

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The Chancellor and the Secretary of State agreed that the conclusion of a new treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States and the Federal Republic would be of benefit to both countries and that negotiations for such a treaty should begin at a very early date. Meanwhile, as an interim measure, the two Governments are negotiating an agreement to restore to force the 1923 treaty of friendship, commerce, and consular rights as it stood prior to the war, taking into account the requirements of the present situation. This interim agreement, when ratified in both countries, would, among other things, re-establish a basis on which businessmen of each country would be able to reside and carry on business in the other.

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The German representatives indicated their interest in the placing of off-shore procurement contracts in Germany. They were informed that as soon as the contractual and European Defense Community treaties have entered into force, the same criteria will be applied in the placing of such contracts in Germany, within the framework of the European Defense Community, as are applied with respect to the placing of contracts in other European countries.

In order to foster closer cultural cooperation between Germany and the United States and promote mutual understanding between their two peoples, an exchange of notes is taking place.*

The two Governments reaffirmed their common interest in controlling, together with other nations of the free world, the movement of strategic materials to nations whose policies jeopardize the peace and security of the free world. Both Governments undertook to continue action to that end, and, in particular, to keep under constant review the list of items which from time to time may be subject to embargo to Communist China. The representatives of the Federal Republic also expressed their Government's intention, in cooperation with other trading and maritime nations, to apply supplementary measures, such as transshipment controls, against violations or evasions of existing strategic controls.

Announcement is being made simultaneously in the two capitals of the return to the Federal Republic of approximately 350 vessels formerly of German ownership. Arrangements for their transfer to German authorities will be completed by the U.S. High Commissioner in Germany.

The Senate advised

1A new commercial treaty was signed Oct. 29, 1954. ratification July 27, 1955. It was ratified by the President Apr. 30, 1956, and

entered into force July 14, 1956; TIAS 3593 (7 UST 1839).

Agreement of June 3, 1953; TIAS 3062 (5 UST, pt. 2, p. 1939).

Treaty of Dec. 8, 1923; 44 Stat., pt. 3, p. 2132.

Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 20, 1953, pp. 567-568.

Ibid., pp. 566-567.

The President and the Chancellor are convinced that the conversations just concluded have made a solid contribution to the achievement of common goals of the two countries, in strengthening the ties of friendship now happily re-established and in consolidating the aims and strength of the free world.

14. RESTORATION OF GERMAN SOVEREIGNTY: Senate Resolution No. 295 (83d Congress, 2d Session), July 30, 1954 1

Whereas a convention on relations between the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the French Republic, therein referred to as the "Three Powers," and the Federal Republic of Germany, was signed on May 26, 1952,2 with a view to restoring sovereignty to the Federal Republic of Germany; and

Whereas the Senate of the United States gave its advice and consent to ratification of said convention on July 1, 1952; and

Whereas, nevertheless, it has not proved practical as yet to bring the Convention into force in accordance with its provisions: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the President, if he judges that future developments make this desirable and in the national interest, should take such steps as he deems appropriate and as are consistent with United States constitutional processes to restore sovereignty to Germany and to enable her to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security.

[For the texts of the London and Paris Agreements of Oct. 3 and Oct. 23, 1954, see supra, pp. 1474-1491, 483-612, 871-873, and 972-989.

15. GERMAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS: Statement to the Press by the President of the United States and the Chancellor of the German Federal Republic, October 28, 1954 3

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During this morning's conversations we took an opportunity to renew the spirit of friendship and confidence which has marked our relationship in the past, especially in our efforts to overcome the very serious situation which faced us during the past few months. We reviewed the decisions taken at London and Paris 5 and we are 1 S. Rept. 1991, 83d Cong., 2d sess.

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2 S. Execs. Q and R, 82d Cong, 2d sess., pp. 9-22.

3 Department of State Bulletin, Nov. 8, 1954, pp. 680-681; see also ibid., pp. 680–683.

See the Final Act of the London Conference, Oct. 3, 1954; supra, pp. 1474-1491. 5 Agreements of Oct. 23, 1954, regarding (1) relations between the Allies and the German Federal Republic (supra, pp. 483-612); (2) German adherence to the North Atlantic Treaty (supra, pp. 871-873); and (3) the Western European Union (supra, pp. 972-989).

convinced that with the coming into effect of the Agreements signed this past weekend, the road towards a strong and united Europe will have been paved. We view the understanding reached between the Governments of France and the Federal Republic of Germany as an especially encouraging step towards lasting peace in Continental Europe. This understanding was greatly furthered by the commitment on the part of the United Kingdom to maintain forces on the Continent. The basis for a European community has thus been established.

The continued interest in and support of this community by the United States was reiterated. Together with the strengthened North Atlantic Treaty Organization, now to include the Federal Republic of Germany, these new agreements will, we are convinced, serve to reinforce the defense system of the free world.

II

We particularly addressed ourselves to the question of German reunification. The demand for a reunited Germany in freedom is viewed by us as the legitimate demand of the German people. We are agreed that this aim shall be achieved only by peaceful means. We are convinced of the necessity of continued efforts towards this goal and are agreed that such efforts will be made by the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany together with the Governments of the United Kingdom and France.

In this connection, we exchanged views on the latest Soviet note.3 It is our initial view that this does not seem to offer any new proposal on the part of the Soviet Union; it appears essentially as a reiteration of the positions taken by Mr. Molotov at the Conference in Berlin regarding Germany and European security.*

We have no doubt that the strengthening of free Europe which will result from the recent London and Paris Agreements will aid our efforts to bring freedom and unity to all of the German people.

III

We discussed the unfortunate fact that large numbers of German prisoners of war and civilian deportees are still held in custody in areas behind the Iron Curtain, mainly the Soviet Union. The Chancellor requested the continued assistance of the United States in obtaining the release of these prisoners. This question has for some time been the subject of investigation by a United Nations Commission. The Chancellor was assured that the United States

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1 See Sir Anthony Eden's statement of Sept. 29, 1954, included in the Final Act of the London Conference; supra, pp. 1487-1489.

See Secretary of State Dulles statement of Sept. 29, 1954; supra, pp. 14841487.

Note of Oct. 23, 1954; Department of State Bulletin, Dec. 13, 1954, pp. 902– 905.

See Foreign Ministers Meeting: Berlin Discussions, January 25-February 18, 1954 (Department of State publication 5399; 1954).

See supra, pp. 269–272.

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