Editorial Note
The relationship of the United States, British, and French Zones of Occupation to the European Recovery Program was discussed during the first part of the London Conference on Germany, February 23–March 6 (see chapter I, part B). It was agreed that for the political and economic well-being of the countries of Western Europe and of a democratic Germany, there should be a close association of their economic life. It was agreed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and French Governments that they and their occupation authorities in Western Germany should cooperate closely in all matters arising out of the European Recovery Program in relation to Western Germany and that the combined United States-British Zone and the French zone should be fully associated in the European Recovery Program and adequately represented on any continuing organizations.
Representatives of the United States, British, and French Military Governors for Germany participated in the Conference on European Economic Cooperation, held in Paris, March 15–April 16, and were signatories to the Convention for European Economic Cooperation, signed at the close of the Conference. In an exchange of letters between Ambassador Murphy and Generals Clay and Robertson (in their capacity as members of the U.S.–U.K. Bipartite Board) of May 1 and May 14, 1948, the United States and United Kingdom Zones of Occupation adhered to the Economic Cooperation Act of 1948 and expressed intention to conclude an agreement with the United States Government to govern the terms of economic aid to be provided under the terms of the Act. The Economic Cooperation Agreement between the United States Government and the United States and United [Page 866] Kingdom Zones of Occupation of Germany was subsequently signed in Berlin on July 14, 1948. For the texts of the agreements and exchanges cited here, see Germany 1947–1949, pages 518 ff.
The relationship between the Organization of European Economic Cooperation and the proposed International Authority for the Ruhr was considered in detail during the London Conference on the Ruhr in November and December. Documentation on the Ruhr Conference is presented in chapter II, part B.
Full documentation on the European Recovery Program, including materials on the participation by the Western Zones of Occupation of Germany, is included in volume III.