Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 1

Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 196

No. 512
Proposal of the Soviet Delegation¹

[Translation]

confidential
FPM(54)24

Berlin, February 1, 1954.

The Soviet Government’s Draft Peace Treaty With Germany

Almost nine years have elapsed since the end of the war with Germany, and Germany still has no peace treaty, it is still divided, and continues to be in a position of inequality in relation to other States. It is necessary to put an end to such an abnormal situation.

This is consonant with the aspirations of all peace-loving peoples. Without the speedy conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany, it is impossible to ensure equitable treatment of the German people’s legitimate national interests.

The conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany is essential for the reinforcement of peace in Europe. A peace treaty with Germany would permit a final solution of the problems resulting from the second world war. The States of Europe, which suffered from Hitler’s aggression, and especially Germany’s neighbours, are vitally interested in a solution of these problems. The conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany would contribute to the improvement of the international situation as a whole and thus facilitate the establishment of lasting peace.

The need to expedite the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany is dictated by the fact that the danger of the re-establishment of German militarism, which twice unleashed a world war, has not been removed, owing to the fact that certain provisions of the Potsdam Conference have not yet been complied with. A peace treaty with Germany should ensure the elimination of the possibility of a rebirth of German militarism and of German aggression.

The conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany will create lasting conditions of peace for the German people, will further the development of Germany as a unified, independent, democratic and peace-loving State in accordance with the terms of the Potsdam provisions and will afford the German people the possibility of peaceful cooperation with other peoples.

Accordingly, the Governments of the Soviet Union, of the U.S.A., of Great Britain and of France have decided to start without delay on the problem of working out a peace treaty with Germany.

The Governments of the U.S.S.R., of the U.S.A., of Great Britain and of France consider that Germany, as represented by an all-German government, should participate in the preparation of a peace treaty and that a peace treaty with Germany should be based on the following principles:

I. Basic Points of a peace treaty with Germany

Participants:

Great Britain, the U.S.S.R., the U.S.A., France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Holland and those other States whose armed forces participated in the war against Germany.

II. Political Provisions

1. Germany shall be restored as a unified State. Thus, the division of Germany shall end and a unified Germany shall be given the opportunity to develop as an independent, democratic and peace-loving State.

2. All the armed forces of the Occupying Powers shall be withdrawn from Germany, not later than one year after the date of the coming into force of a peace treaty. All foreign military bases on the territory of Germany shall be liquidated simultaneously.

3. Democratic rights shall be guaranteed to the German people, so that all persons under German jurisdiction, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, may enjoy human rights and basic freedoms, including freedom of speech, press, religious creed, political convictions and assembly.

4. The unfettered activity of democratic parties and of organisations shall be ensured and they shall be accorded the right freely to decide their internal affairs, to hold meetings and assemblies, and to have freedom of press and publications.

5. The existence of organisations hostile to democracy and to the preservation of peace shall not be permitted on German territory.

6. All former members of the German army, including officers and generals, all former Nazis, excepting those who are serving court sentences for crimes committed by them, shall be accorded the same civil and political rights as all other German citizens so that they may participate in the re-building of a peace-loving, democratic Germany.

7. Germany shall undertake not to enter into any coalition or military alliance directed against any Power whose armed forces took part in the war against Germany.

8. Germany will not be required to take over any obligations of a political or military character resulting from treaties or agreements concluded by the governments of the German Federal Republic and of the German Democratic Republic before the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany and the restoration of Germany as a unified state.

III. Territory

The boundaries of the territory of Germany are to be those established by the decisions of the Potsdam Conference of the Great Powers.

IV. Economic Provisions

1. Germany shall not be subject to any limitations on the develoment of its peaceful economy which shall promote the welfare of the German people.

Neither shall Germany be subject to any limitations on trade with other countries, on shipping, or on access to world markets.

2. Germany shall be fully released from the payment to the U.S.A., to Great Britain, to France and to the U.S.S.R. of her postwar State debts with the exception of her trade indebtedness.

V. Military Clauses

1. Germany shall be permitted to have her own national, armed forces (land, air and naval) necessary for the defence of the country. The strength of these armed forces shall be limited in accordance with requirements of an internal nature, local defence of frontiers, and anti-aircraft defence.

2. Germany shall be permitted to produce military supplies and equipment, the number and types of which shall not exceed the needs of her armed forces, as established by the peace treaty.

VI. Germany and the United Nations Organisation

Those States which conclude a peace treaty with Germany shall support Germany’s application for membership in the United Nations Organisation.

1. This proposal was introduced at the seventh plenary on Feb. 1. For a record of that meeting, see Sectos 65 and 66, Documents 398 and 399.