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

740.00119 (Potsdam)/7–3145

No. 888
Proposal by the British Delegation

[ Babelsberg , July 30, 1945.¹]

The First Charge

The following should be included in the Economic Principles:—

“Payment for approved imports into Germany shall be a first charge against the proceeds of exports out of current production and out of stocks of goods.”

This corresponds with what Mr. Molotov said at the meeting of Foreign Secretaries on the 23rd July.² “Approved imports” means imports approved by the Control Council. If the Control Council does not approve imports which any one of the four Governments regards as essential, a new situation arises and will have to be dealt with by the four Governments. Meanwhile, each Zone Commander remains responsible to his own Government for administering his own Zone.

1. Cf. the Rapporteur’s report on the Tenth Meeting of the Foreign Ministers, July 30, ante, p. 501.
2. See ante, p. 280.