Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, General: Political and Economic Matters, Volume II

Council of Foreign Ministers Files: Lot M–88: CFM London Documents

Memorandum by the Soviet Delegation to the Council of Foreign Ministers

C.F.M.(45) 15

London, 14 September, 1945.

Reparations From Germany

It will be recalled that the Berlin Conference of the Heads of the Three Governments decided that the nature and amount of the equipment to be removed from the western zones of Germany on account of reparations should be defined at the latest within six months from the termination of the said Conference.

It can now be seen that in the course of the last six weeks no practical steps have yet been taken to execute the decisions of the Berlin Conference regarding German reparations and in particular regarding advance deliveries.

Since no further delay can be contemplated in restoring the industries of Allied countries which have suffered destruction from the German invaders, the Soviet Delegation suggest that the Council of Ministers should adopt a special resolution fixing definite dates for the preparation of proposals regarding the quantity and character of the industrial capital equipment to be moved from the western zones of Germany on account of reparations. In addition, proposals should be drawn up regarding the quantity and character of the industrial equipment to be delivered to the U.S.S.R. in accordance with paragraph 4 (a) and (b) of Section IV of the decisions of the Berlin Conference⁶ and also proposals regarding the quantity and character of the industrial equipment to be supplied as advance deliveries.

The Soviet Government accordingly suggest the adoption of the following resolution:

1. With a view to expediting the execution of the decisions of the Berlin Three Power Conference regarding reparations from Germany, the Inter-Allied Reparations Commission should be transferred from Moscow to Berlin.

2. The Control Council in Berlin, acting in close contact with the Inter-Allied Reparations Commission,⁷ is asked to define not later than 1st December 1945 the quantity and character of the industrial capital equipment to be removed from the western zones of Germany on account of reparations, and also to approve a list of enterprises, the equipment from which is to be handed over to the Soviet Union in execution of paragraph 4 of the decisions of the Berlin Conference regarding reparations from Germany.

3. The Control Council is asked to approve not later than 15th October, a list of enterprises, the equipment from which is to be surrendered as advance deliveries in accordance with paragraph 7 of the decisions of the Berlin Conference so that the export of this equipment can be begun not later than 1st November.

4. The Control Council is invited to despatch immediately to the western zones of Germany mixed commissions of specialists to prepare the material required by the Control Council for executing the measures referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 above.

6. See section IV of the Report on the Tripartite Conference of Berlin, August 2, 1945, Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. ii, pp. 1505–1506.
7. The Allied Commission on Reparations, consisting of representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, met in Moscow from June 11 to July 14, 1945, and again briefly in August 1945, at which time a French representative was added to the Commission. For documentation regarding the participation by the United States in the Commission, see vol. iii, pp. 1169 ff.; also Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. i, p. 1068, index entries under Germany: Reparations Commission (Allied), and ibid., vol. ii, p. 1618, index entries under the same heading.