German Settlement In Phases Proposed

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28896, 16 May 1959, Page 13

German Settlement In Phases Proposed

(Rec. 10 p.m.) GENEVA, May 15. The Western plan presented at Geneva by the American Secretary of State, Mr Christian Herter, is designed to settle the problem of Germany’s future and to reduce the armed forces of both East and West. The plan provides for a settlement in Germany in phases—first, the dreation of a united Berlin; second, the drafting of an electoral law for all Germany which would be approved by plebiscite; third, the holding of elections for an all-German Assembly; and fourth, the negotiation of a peace treaty with Germany.

At the same time, arrangements would be made to limit the forces of Russia and the West in agreed areas of Europe, and to secure control and inspection

The plan emphasises that the measures are closely inter-relatea and the proposals are to be regarded as an inseparable whole. The main points in the plan are:

Berlin.— Berlin is one city and belongs to all of Germany. East and West Berlin should, therefore. be united through free elections held under quadripartite or United Nations supervision. A freely-elected council would be formed for the whole of Berlin until German reunificatinr was achieved and as a first step towards it. Thus Berlin would be retained as the future capital of a reunified Germany

Subject to the supreme authority of the four Powers, the Berlin council would be free to administer the city The freedom and integrity oi the city and access to it would be guaranteed by the four Powers, who would continue to be entitled to station troops in Berlin. Reunification.— The tour Powers would set up a mixed German committee, consisting of 25 members from West Germany and 10 from East Germany, to

Co-ordinate and expand technical contact between the two parts of Germany Ensure the free movement oi persons, ideas and publications between the two parts. Ensure and guarantee human rights in both parts Draft a law providing for general, free and secret elections under independent supervision

Any agreed proposal for an elector". 1 law tor all Germany would be submitted ‘o a plebiscite in both parts of Germany. If within one year, no draft law had been formulated, the group from West Germany and the group from the East would each formulate a draft law The two would then be submitted to a plebiscite. The one obtaining a majority ol valid votes in each of the two parts of Germany would acquire the force of law and be direct!* applicable for the entire electoral area Elections.— Not later than two and a half years after the signature of the agreement, elections for an all-German Assembly would be held in both parts of Germany under the teims of the

electoral law drafted by the mixed committee. The elections would be supervised either by the United Nations or by the four Powers and representatives of both Germanys

The all-German Assembly would have the task of drafting an all-German Constitution It would exercise such powers as are necessary to establish and secure a liberal, democratic and federative system Security.— An exchange of information on military forces in agreed areas of Europe would be undertaken, and the four Powers would restrict or reduce their armed forces to agreed maximum limits—the United States to 2,500.000. and the Soviet Union to 2.500.000.

The Big Two would place in storage depots, within their own territories and under the supervision of an international control organisation, specific quantities of designated types of armaments to be agreed upon. Inspection systems would be worked out to ensure compliance

Upon the establishment ot an all-German Government the Four Powers would agree that in a zone comprising areas of comparable size and depth and importance on either side of a line to be mutually determined, agreed ceilings for the indigenous and non-indigenous forces would be put into effect

After conclusion of the peace treaty, no party would station forces in any country in this area without the consent of the country involved, providing that the limitations and conditions on armed forces and armaments of other essential Powers would further limit their armed forces together with corresponding reductions on armaments . to agreed maximum levels. Reductions in the armed forces and armaments of other essential States to agreed levels would take place at the same time. The measures would be harmonised with general disarmament plans so as to be included in a general framework.

Peace Treaty.— Since a finai peace settlement can only be concluded with a government representing all Germany, it should be concluded at this stage The settlement should be open to signature by al] States members of the United Nations which were at war with Germany The settlement should enter into force when ratified by the four Powers and by Germany.