28

life the principles of the Potsdam agreement " and follows the path of peace, is an important factor for insuring security in Europe and aversion of the war threat;

Striving to facilitate the conclusion of a German peace treaty and to conduce to the realization of Germany's unity on peaceful and democratic principles; Guided by the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter; Agreed on the following:

ARTICLE I

The high contracting parties, on the basis of full equality, mutual respect for the state sovereignty, noninterference in internal affairs and the lofty principles of Socialist internationalism, implementing the principles of mutual advantage and mutual fraternal assistance, will continue to develop and consolidate the relations of friendship and close cooperation in all spheres.

ARTICLE II

In the interests of peace and peaceful future of the peoples, including the German people, the high contracting parties will unswervingly work for the elimination of the remnants of World War II, for the conclusion of a German peace treaty and for the normalization of the situation in West Berlin on this basis.

The sides proceed from the premise that, pending the conclusion of a German peace treaty the United States of America, Great Britain and France continue to bear their responsibility for the realization on the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany of the demands and commitments jointly assumed by the Governments of the four powers under the Potsdam and other international agreements and directed toward the eradication of German militarism and Nazism and toward the prevention of German aggression.

ARTICLE III

The high contracting parties join their efforts directed toward insuring peace and security in Europe and throughout the world in accordance with the aims and principles of the United Nations Charter. They will take all measures in their power to conduce to the settlement on the basis of the principles of peaceful coexistence, of the cardinal international problems such as general and complete disarmament, including partial measures conducing to the discontinuation of the arms race and relaxation of international tensions, abolition of colonialism, settlement of territorial and border disputes between states by peaceful means, and others.

ARTICLE IV

In the face of the existing danger of an aggressive war on the part of the militarist and revanchist forces the high contracting parties solemnly declare that the integrity of the state frontiers of the German Democratic Republic is one of the basic factors for European security. They confirm their firm determination to guarantee the inviolability of these frontiers in accordance with the Warsaw Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

The high contracting parties will also undertake all necessary measures for preventing aggression on the part of the forces of militarism and revanchism which are striving for a revision of the results of World War II.

ARTICLE V

In the case if one of the high contracting parties becomes an object of an armed attack in Europe by some state or a group of states, the other high contracting party will render it immediate assistance in accordance with the

28 Cited in footnote 24 to doc. IV-72, supra.

provisions of the Warsaw Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance.

The Security Council will be informed of the measures taken, in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter. These measures will be discontinued as soon as the Security Council takes measures necessary for restoring and maintaining international peace and security.

ARTICLE VI

The high contracting parties will regard West Berlin as an independent political unit.

ARTICLE VII

The high contracting parties confirm their opinion that in view of the existence of two sovereign German states-the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany-the creation of a peace-loving democratic united German state can be achieved only through negotiations on an equal footing and agreement between both sovereign German states.

ARTICLE VIII

On the basis of mutual advantage and unselfish fraternal cooperation, in accordance with the principles of the Council of Mutual Economic Assistance 29 the high contracting parties will develop and consolidate in every way the economic, scientific and technical relations between both states, to carry out, in accordance with the principles of international Socialist division of labor, the coordination of national economic plans, specialization and cooperation of production and to insure the highest productivity through a rapprochement and coordination of the national economies of both states.

The sides will continue to develop their relations in the cultural, public and sports fields, and also in the sphere of tourism.

ARTICLE IX

The present treaty does not affect the rights and commitments of the sides under the bilateral and other international agreements which are in force, including the Potsdam agreement.

ARTICLE X

This treaty will be valid for 20 years since the day on which it enters into force. The treaty will remain in force for 10 more years if neither of the high contracting parties denunciates it 12 months before the expiration of the treaty's term.

In case of the establishment of a united democratic and peace-loving German state or the conclusion of a German peace treaty, the present treaty can be revised at the request of either of the high contracting parties before the expiration of its 20-year term.

ARTICLE XI

The present treaty is subject to ratification and will enter into force at the moment of the exchange of the ratification instruments, which will take place in Berlin in the nearest future.

Done in Moscow on June 12th, 1964, in two copies, each in the Russian and German languages, both texts being equally valid.

"Reference to a secret protocol signed by Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, and the U.S.S.R., in Moscow, Jan. 24, 1949; Albania joined the Council on Feb. 22, 1949, the German "Democratic Republic," on Sept. 29, 1950; for the text of the communiqué on the establishment of the Council, published Jan. 25, 1949, see The New York Times, Jan. 26, 1949.

Document IV-74

United States Assertion of Unchanged Soviet Obligations Under Agreements With the Three Western Powers on Germany and Berlin: STATEMENT READ BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF NEWS (PHILLIPS), DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, JUNE 12, 1964 30

The conclusion or implementation of this agreement by the Soviet Union 31 cannot in any case affect Soviet obligations or responsibilities under agreements and arrangements between the Three Powers and the Soviet Union on the subject of Germany, including Berlin.

The Soviet Union remains bound by the engagements which it assumed vis-a-vis the Three Powers, and continues to be responsible for the fulfillment of its obligations to them.

The United States Government considers that the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only German government freely and legitimately constituted, and therefore entitled to speak for the German people in international affairs.

The United States Government does not recognize the East German regime nor the existence of a state in Eastern Germany. The objective of the United States remains the reunification of Germany in peace and freedom on the basis of self-determination.

Document IV-75

German-United States Agreement To Continue Efforts To Find a Just and Peaceful Solution to the Problem of Germany and Berlin: JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT WASHINGTON BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (JOHNSON) AND THE CHANCELLOR OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (ERHARD), JUNE 12, 1964 32

President Johnson and Chancellor Erhard met on June 12 in Washington. They were accompanied by Secretary Rusk, Foreign Minister [Gerhard] Schroeder and other advisers.

The President expressed his pleasure that the Chancellor had come to Washington following his official visit to Canada and receipt of an honorary degree at Harvard, thus providing an opportunity to review the international situation and to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern to the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. The Chancellor and the President discussed the need for finding a just and peaceful solution to the problem of Germany and Berlin and agreed that efforts to find such a solution must continue. They agreed that a solution must be based upon the right of self-determination and take into consideration the security of Europe as a whole. Every suitable opportunity should be used to bring nearer the reunification

30 Department of State Bulletin, June 29, 1964, p. 993.

31

32

Supra.

Department of State Bulletin, June 29, 1964, pp. 992–994. Chancellor Erhard visited Washington June 12-14, 1964.

of Germany through self-determination. So long as Germany remains divided, Europe will not achieve stability.

The President and the Chancellor noted the Soviet Government's announcement that it signed today [June 12] a Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance and Cooperation with the so-called German Democratic Republic.33 They agreed that no unilateral move by the Soviet Union could in any way affect the rights of the Three Western Powers or modify the obligations and responsibilities of the Soviet Union with respect to Germany and Berlín. They stressed that the Soviet Government would be solely responsible for the consequences of any attempt at interference with Allied rights that might result from implementation of the new treaty. They also reaffirmed that until Germany is unified, only the freely elected and legitimately constituted government of the Federal Republic of Germany and no one else can speak for the German people.

The President restated the determination of the United States to carry out fully its commitments with respect to Berlin, including the maintenance of the right of free access to West Berlin and the continued freedom and viability of the city.

The President and Chancellor stressed the importance of improving relations with the nations of Eastern Europe. The President said that the United States fully supports the actions of the Federal Republic directed toward this goal. They also expressed the conviction that measures designed to reduce the threat of war and to bring about arms control serve to promote the goal of German reunification.

The President and the Chancellor expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved by the nations of the Atlantic Community in developing political stability as well as economic and military strength. They reaffirmed the continuing importance of NATO to the defense and cohesion of the West. They were agreed that the proposed multilateral force would make a significant addition to this military and political strength and that efforts should be continued to ready an agreement for signature by the end of the year. The Chancellor stressed his interest in the promotion of greater political cooperation between the nations of Western Europe.

In their review of the international scene, the President described the serious situation faced by the United States and the free world in Southeast Asia. He and the Chancellor agreed that the Communist regime in Hanoi must cease its aggression in South Viet-Nam 34 and Laos.35 The two governments also agreed that the Government of the Republic of Viet-Nam must be fully supported in its resistance against the Viet Cong. The Chancellor stated that his government would increase assistance to South Viet-Nam in the political and economic fields.

They reviewed the Kennedy Round negotiations underway at Geneva and were agreed that expanded trade in all commodities and

33 Ante, doc. IV-73.

"See post, docs. IX-104-145.

See post, docs. IX-89-99.

219-262-67-39

substantial tariff reductions would be in the interest of all the nations of the free world.36

They were agreed on the vital importance of sustaining the flow of economic aid to the developing countries in order to support the efforts of these countries to maintain their independence and to modernize and expand their economies to the point where further growth could be sustained without extraordinary foreign assistance. They were of the view that strengthening the private sector of the developing economies can play a key role in the process and they recognize the need for official aid as well as for foreign private investment to promote this objective. The President stressed his intention to sustain the level of United States aid commitments and expenditures. The Chancellor in turn noted the substantial increase in total aid commitments of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1963 and stated that every effort will be made to increase the level of these commitments this year and next.

The President and the Chancellor reviewed also the constructive steps taken so far by Germany to help reduce its large balance of payments surplus. The President told the Chancellor of his appreciation of German support in helping the United States meet its balance of payments problems.

The President and the Chancellor were both happy to have had this opportunity to consult on common problems, as part of the continuing process of full consultation so indispensable to the maintenance of close relations between the two countries. They were gratified to reaffirm that their governments have established a solid basis of cooperation and mutual understanding in their common quest for peace.

Document IV-76

East German-Soviet Discussions "Concerning a German Peace Settlement and the Normalization on This Basis of the Situation in West Berlin": COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT MOSCOW BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE U.S.S.R. (KHRUSHCHEV) AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE GERMAN "DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC" (ULBRICHT), JUNE 13, 1964 (EXCERPTS)

37

During his stay in the Soviet Union, W. Ulbricht, First Secretary of the S.U.P.G." Central Committee and Chairman of the G.D.R. State Council, had meetings and talks with N.S. Khrushchev, First Secretary of the C.P.S.U. Central Committee and Chairman of the U.S.S.R. Council of Ministers, in the course of which they examined questions linked with the further development and strengthening of the friendly ties and all-round cooperation between the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic. Comrade N. S. Khrushchev

38

See post, docs. XI-14 et seq.

37 The Current Digest of the Soviet Press, vol. XVI, No. 25, July 15, 1964, pp. 7-10 (condensed text). Mr. and Mrs. Ulbricht visited the Soviet Union May 29June 13, 1964.

38 Socialist Unity Party of Germany.