740.00114 EW/2–645
Soviet Draft of an Agreement Regarding the Treatment of Soviet Citizens and British Subjects Liberated From the Germans1
Soviet Draft of Reciprocal Agreement
In reply to Embassy’s note of December 11th,2 People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs have the honour to state that Soviet Government are prepared to conclude an agreement concerning the principles governing the treatment of liberated Soviet and British prisoners of war, but they consider that such an agreement should extend also to Soviet citizens and British subjects interned and forcibly deported by the Germans. In addition it would be desirable somewhat to extend [Page 417] and define several paragraphs of British draft set out in above-mentioned note. In that connexion Soviet Government suggest that the above principles should be formulated as follows:
“1. All Soviet citizens liberated by Allied Armies and British subjects liberated by the Red Army will, without delay after their liberation, be separated from enemy prisoners of war and will be maintained separately from them in camps or points of concentration until repatriation.
British and Soviet military authorities will respectively take necessary measures for protection of camps and points of concentration from enemy bombing, artillery fire, etc.
2. Both sides shall ensure that their military authorities shall without delay inform the competent authorities of the other side of Soviet or British citizens or subjects respectively found by them, at the same time taking the steps which follow from this agreement. Soviet and British repatriation representatives will immediately be permitted into the concentration camps and points where citizens of their country are located and they will have the right to appoint the internal administration, establish internal order and administration in accordance with laws of their country.
The Commandant’s organisation of the camp and civilian protection will be established in accordance with the directions of the military commandant within the zone in which the given camp is located.
The removal of camps as well as transfer from one camp to another of liberated citizens will be accomplished only in agreement between competent Soviet and British authorities. Enemy propaganda directed against the contracting sides or against United Nations will not be allowed among liberated citizens.
3. The competent British and Soviet authorities will supply liberated Soviet citizens and British subjects with food, clothing, housing and medical attention both in camps or points of concentration and en route, and with transport until they are handed over to the authorities at the other side at places agreed upon between the sides on the following basis:
- (a)
- Ex-prisoners of war shall be provided with all forms of supply (stores and food) on a basis laid down respectively for privates, noncommissioned officers and officers.
- (b)
- Civilians will be supplied on a basis laid down for privates.
The parties will not mutually demand compensation for these or other services which their authorities may respectively supply to liberated Soviet citizens or British subjects.
4. Soviet and British military authorities shall make such advances on behalf of respective governments to liberated British subjects and Soviet citizens as competent Soviet and British authorities shall agree upon between themselves beforehand.
Advances made in currency of any enemy territory or in currency of Allied occupation authorities shall not be liable to compensation.
In the case of advances made in currency of liberated non-enemy territory, the Soviet and British governments will effect, each for advances made to their citizens, necessary settlements with the [Page 418] governments of respective territory who will be informed of the amount of their currency paid out for this purpose.
5. Ex-prisoners of war (with the exception of officers) and civilians of each of the parties until their repatriation may be employed on work in aiding the common war effort as to which competent Soviet and British authorities shall agree among themselves. The question of payment and other labour conditions shall be determined in agreement between these authorities.
6. Both parties shall use all means at their disposal to ensure the evacuation to the rear of the above-mentioned citizens or subjects of the other party if this proves necessary and quickest possible repatriation of these persons.
7. If the British Government agree to these principles the Soviet Government suggests presentation of note and British reply to it should constitute an agreement which would guide the parties in this matter.”
- This undated copy was found among papers attached to the note of February 5, 1945, from Eden to Stettinius, post pp. 691–692. This draft was apparently presented to the British Embassy at Moscow on January 20, 1945. According to Deane (pp. 188–189) a similar draft for the repatriation of United States and Soviet citizens was submitted to him on January 19, 1945, and was forwarded by him for the consideration of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Eisenhower, and McNarney.↩
- No copy of this British note has been found in the Department’s files.↩