Big Three Security Board To Keep Germany Disarmed

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22817, 11 December 1948, Page 5

Big Three Security Board To Keep Germany Disarmed

(N.Z.P.A. —Hcutor—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10

The military security board for Germany, yvhich Mr. Ernest Kevin, in his speech in the House of Commons, described as “most vital” springs from tire decision made at the six-Power conference which ended in London in June but which was not published at the time.

The British. United States and French Military Governors in Germany have, it is understood, reached a large measure of agreement on the functions of the board, its powers of inspection and executive authority.

The object of establishing the board is briefly to ensure that Germany remains disarmed and demilitarised. It, will be composed of representatives of the armed forces of Britain, United States and France, assisted by industrial and technical experts. The intention is, says the Times diplomatic correspondent, that the board should be set up before the end of the control period and be responsible to the Military Governors.

The control period is, however, an elastic term which is taken to cover the period of Military Government but not necessarily the whole period of military occupation. It is understood that when a German Government is in being the board s position would be safeguarded by the occupation statute and that the eventual peace treaty' will provide for the board's continuance in the post-occupation period.