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DOCUMENTS ON GERMANY, 1944-5 9
Declaration by the German Federal Republic, on Free Elections,
March 22, 1950'
The German Federal Republic has since its establishment recog-
nized no more binding duty than the re-establishment of German
unity. It is aware that the desired form of government embracing
all Germany must come from the free decision of the entire German
people.
The Federal Government has noted with satisfaction the proposal
of the American High Commissioner McCloy that all German elec-
tions be held. The British High Commissioner has also expressed the
same point of view. The Federal Government is convinced that the
French High Commissioner also shares this view. Members of the
Soviet Government have made it apparent, in the Foreign Ministers
conferences and in official announcements that the Soviet Union like-
wise desires a united Germany.
In the opinion of the Federal Government this goal can be achieved
in the following way:
1. All German elections for a National Constituent Assembly
will be proclaimed following the promulgation of an election law
by the four occupying powers.
2. Elections for the National Assembly shall in all parts of
Germany fall under the control of commissions which consist of
representatives of the four occupying powers or of representa-
tives of the United Nations.
3. The sole duty of the National Assembly is to draft a Ger-
man constitution. The draft constitution will be referred to the
German people for ratification.
Personal and political freedom of movement and activity must be
guaranteed in all zones as a precondition for the holding of all Ger-
man elections. The Federal Government considers it especially
desirable:
1. That there be freedom of activity for all parties in all Ger-
many and that all the occupation powers refrain from influencing
the formation and activities of political parties.
2. That personal safety and protection against economic dis-
crimination must be guaranteed by all the occupation powers and
by the German authorities before and after the elections for all
persons who are active on behalf of political parties.
3. That there be unrestricted admission and circulation for all
newspapers in entire Germany.
4. That there be freedom of personal movement in all Germany
and that inter-zonal passes be discontinued.
The creation and guarantee of these freedoms rests with the four
occupation powers. Germans must have the possibility of being able
to appeal to four power organs at any time for the protection of these
rights.
Under the responsibility which the preamble and final article of its
basic law imposes upon it, the Federal Government directs an appeal
to all Germans, to the various occupation powers and beyond that to
the entire world public to help the German people to reunification
in peace and freedom.
1 Department of State Bulletin, June 5, 19150, p. 885. A copy of this declaration
was
transmitted to the Chairman of the Soviet Control Commission on May 25.,
19,50 (infra).
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