Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Germany and Austria, Volume II

740.00119 Control (Germany)/1–2148: Telegram

The Acting United States Political Adviser for Germany ( Riddleberger ) to the Secretary of State

secret

Berlin , January 21, 1948—5 p. m.

172. Seventy-seventh meeting Control Council held January 20 included following:

1. Council unable reach any agreement re distribution between zones German refugees received since war’s end (item two mytel 3633, November 26¹). British, French and US members all emphasized concern re this important and serious question, British suggesting establishment overall German commission as advocated Moscow CFM. While presently unable accept this proposal, French member expressed willingness study possibility absorbing some additional refugees his zone, indicating, however, food, coal and other supplies are limiting factors. Only real solution obviously would consist German emigration. Soviet member referred vaguely necessity, before establishing any German commission, of providing necessary conditions, political and economic, such as land for farmers, adding British zone contains many Poles and Soviet citizens who should be repatriated. British member agreed withdraw his paper from agenda.

2. Council was unable agree plan for repatriation German war prisoners (item four mytel 3700, December 10²). US member emphasized his obligations already carried out, French reporting that at current repatriation rate 25,000 monthly, the 300,000 prisoners remaining France will be repatriated end 1948. Soviets also promised meet this deadline, refusing, however, give any monthly repatriation plan, beyond informing Control Council regarding arrival each shipment. Soviet member also stated his government has not and will never attempt recruit prisoners as certain western powers have done, to which US replied by emphasizing free character such recruiting, same time referring past recruiting labor from Germany under conditions unclear western powers (Comment: referring, of course, Soviets). Then Council agreed drop question from agenda.

Sent Department 172; pouch copies to Moscow, London and Paris.

Riddleberger

1. Not printed; it reported that the Coordinating Committee at its 144th Meeting on November 25, 1947, had failed to reach agreement on a British proposal to redistribute German refugees among the various zones of occupation. The British were particularly concerned at the overcrowding of refugees in their same of occupation (740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2647).

   The Coordinating Committee, whose delegates held the rank of general or equivalent, acted on behalf of the Allied Control Council in carrying out the decisions of the Council, exercised day-to-day supervision and control of the activities of German central administration, the coordination of problems calling for uniform measures in all zones, and the preliminary examination of matters to be considered by the Control Council.

2. Not printed; it reported that the Coordinating Committee at its 145th Meeting on December 8, 1947, discussed the preparation of a plan for the repatriation of German prisoners of war. A principal obstacle was Soviet reluctance to provide information regarding the rate at which Soviet authorities would repatriate prisoners still in their custody. The Soviets claimed that 150,000 prisoners of war had been repatriated between April and December 1947. (740.00119 Control (Germany)/12–1147)