NEW STATUS DEFINED

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26528, 17 September 1951, Page 7

NEW STATUS DEFINED

“Peace Contract” For Germany

WASHINGTON, September 14. flie Big Three Foreign Ministers have offered Germany a peace contnct to replace the present compuliory occupation regime. After a five-day conference the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, and the United States issued a communique outlining in general terms the basis upon which the three Allied High Commissioners would negotiate i provisional peace settlement for Germany. They accompanied the communique with a joint declaration gsting that their governments aim at the inclusion of a democratic Gernuay on the basis of equality in the eoniinental European community which itself will form part of the ronstantly developing Atlantic community. The participation of Germany in the common defence should naturally be attended by the replacement of Pie present Occupation Statute by a sew relationship between the three Governments and the German Federal Republic, said the declaration. The general principles which the Ministers agreed should guide the Allied High Commissioners in their negotiations were: The integration of West Germany on the “basis of equality within the luropean community, itself included in developing the Atlantic community.”

The end of the occupation regime and of the power of the Allies to interfere in Germany’s domestic affairs. The retention bv the Allies of certain special rights regarding their uroed forces stationed in Germany. The arrangement to be provisional •until a peace settlement with a unified Germany becomes possible.” The communique said: "The division of Germany prevents the conclusion of raeh a settlement at this time. This division and the security problem confronting the Federal Republic obliges the Allies to retain, in the common interest, certain special rights, but only in relation to the stationing of armed forces in Germany and the protection df the ■rarity of those forces, as well as to questions affecting Berlin and Gersany as a whole, including the eventual peace settlement and the peace■l reunification of Germany." The Ministers’ communique added: "We reviewed the relationship of our muntries to the German Federal Republic and agreed on instructions to the Allied High Commission for the negotiation of mutually acceptable agreements, the effect of which will be to transform the relationship cornpitwiy.

Share in Western Defence "As ■ result of the agreement Jwched by the three Foreign Mlniswi in Brussels last December, the Commission has already exPwred with the Federal Government **H to establish relations between “• three Powers and the Federal jWiblic on as broad a contractual tans as possible in the light of Gerparticipation in Western deface.” The Big Three announced a decision tomake a new and resolute effort to bring about an agreement with Russia y tbe final post-war settlement with T|ie communique stated that they tai found solid grounds for confl®®ce in the growing strength and ®uty of the free world, although they tawgnised the gravity of the world •«uation. especially in the light of ®e.Korean struggle. The Ministers announced sympathy «>r Italy’s proposal to revise her Ptaee treaty setting' a maximum of W.OOO men on the Italian armed ?®“s, and stated: “This question will ta the subject of further conversa"ffls between the Governments.”