A delegation from the German Democratic Republic will arrive in Washington on September 2 for meetings with representatives of the Department of State on matters relative to the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The visiting delegation will be headed by Ambassador Herbert Süss, member of the Directorate of the Foreign Ministry of the German Democratic Republic. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Arthur A. Hartman will head the American delega-tion.

Negotiations between the United States and the German Democratic Republic on the establishment of relations commenced in Washington July 15 and were concluded on July 26.

A team of U.S. administrative experts visited Berlin in mid-August to continue to work on arrangements for a U.S. Embassy there. G.D.R. experts have been in Washington since the end of July working on similar arrangements for a G.D.R. Embassy.

(Source: Department of State Bulletin, September 23, 1974, p. 423.)

Joint Communiqué Regarding the Establishment of Diplomatic Rela-tions Between the United States and the German Democratic Re-public, September 4, 1974

The Governments of the United States of America and the German Democratic Republic, having conducted negotiations in a cordial atmosphere in Washington July 15-26, 1974, have agreed to establish diplomatic relations as of today in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 and to base the conduct of these relations on the Charter of the United Nations. The two Governments will exchange diplomatic represent-atives with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

The two delegations also exchanged views on the future development of relations between the two States. It was agreed that, pending the entry into force of a comprehensive consular agreement, their consular relations will be based in general on customary international law on consular relations. They also agreed to negotiate in the near future the settlement of claims and other financial matters outstanding between them.

Agreement was also reached on a number of practical questions concerning the establishment and future operation of their respective Embassies.

(Source: Documents on Germany, 1944-1985 p. 1274)

Agreed Minute on Negotiations Concerning the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the United States of America and the German Democratic Republic, Washington, September 4, 1974

1. As the result of negotiations from July 15 to July 26, 1974 in Washington, the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the German Democratic Republic have agreed to establish diplomatic relations as of today in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961 and to base the conduct of these relations on the Charter of the United Nations. They will exchange diplomatic representatives with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

2. The two Governments will, in supplementation of the provi-sions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and on the basis of reciprocity, accord full diplomatic privileges and immuni-ties to those members of the administrative and technical staffs and their families who are citizens of the sending State.

3. The two Governments agreed that pending the entry into force of a comprehensive consular agreement, their consular relations will be based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which they regard as the codification in most material respects of customary international law on consular relations. They will seek to facilitate and provide the most favorable conditions for the per-
formance of consular functions by each other's consular establish-ments. In particular, they will in no way impede the mutual access and communication of sending State citizens and sending State consular officials. In case a sending State citizen is deprived in any way of his personal liberty, the sending State consular establishment shall be notified and given access to such persons as soon as possible. They will seek to accommodate the interest of the sending State with regard to protection of dual nationals. As soon as the respective Ambassadors have been accredited, negotiations shall begin for the conclusion of a comprehensive consular agreement, based on the above principles and without prejudice to more favor-able or more concrete treatment of specific provisions contained in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

4. The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the German Democratic Republic will facilitate the establishment of Embassies which will open on the same date. The two Governments undertake to keep the number of their Embassy personnel in balance.

5. The two Governments will render all necessary assistance in carrying out necessary remodeling for the offices and residences to be utilized by the two sides. Both sides have expressed their under-standing that for the construction, remodeling and maintenance of property utilized by the two Embassies, including staff housing, personnel may be utilized who will not be on the regular staff of the Embassies.

6. The Government of the German Democratic Republic confirms that its administration of the site at Pariser Platz 2, which is American property, will be returned to the United States on this date. The use of this site is the subject of an exchange of letters on this date between the heads of the two delegations.

7. A separate technical protocol has been concluded on the communications facilities the respective diplomatic missions will enjoy.

8. Travel by members of the respective missions will be without impediment. They are free to enter and depart at any point customarily utilized by foreign travelers.

9. The United States of America and the German Democratic Republic intend to promote relations in economic, cultural and other fields by appropriate means including negotiations. As one means of promoting these objectives, they agree that, following the establishment of diplomatic relations, but not later than a year from this date, they will enter into negotiations on the opening of establishments separate from the respective chanceries in cities to be agreed upon.

10. Following the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of Embassies, upon the request of either side, the two Gov-ernments will enter into negotiations for the settlement of claims and other financial and property questions which remain unresolved, each Government being entitled to raise during these nego-tiations the questions it wishes to have dealt with. Included on the Agenda will be property and other questions which arose prior to or since 1945 which have not otherwise been settled, including losses by victims of Nazism.

This Agreed Minute enters into force upon signature.

Done at Washington, in duplicate, in the English and German languages, both texts being equally authentic, this fourth day of September, 1974.

For the Government of the United States of America: ARTHUR A. HARTMAN
For the Government of the German Democratic Republic: HERBERT SÜSS

(Documents on Germany, 1944-1985, p. 1276. United States Department of State)