Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume II

740.00119 (Potsdam)/7–3145

No. 873
Proposal by the Soviet Delegation¹

[Translation?]

[Babelsberg, July 23, 1945.]

Soviet Proposal

Article 19 of “Economic Principles”

19. After payment of Reparations enough resources must be left to enable the German people to subsist without external assistance. In working out the economic balance of Germany the necessary means must be provided to pay for imports (in so far as they are approved by the Control Council).² The exports to pay [for] such imports will have priority over Reparations and internal consumption.

1. This is apparently the second Soviet draft on this subject presented at the Sixth Meeting of the Foreign Ministers, July 23. See ante, p. 280.
2. The parentheses are inserted in pencil on each of two other copies found. Each of these copies has a manuscript interpolation at this point. One reads: “or, in the absence of agreement, by the zone [commander?]”. The other suggests substituting “occupying Government] concerned” for “Control Council”.