Page 153

DOCUMENTS ON GERMANY, 1944-59
2. The parties to the Treaty undertake to consult one another in the
event of differences and disputes which might constitute a threat to
the maintenance of peace in Europe.
3. This Treaty is of a provisional nature and shall remain in
effect until it is replaced by a treaty for the establishment of a system
of collective security in Europe.
Geneva Directive of the Heads of Government of the Four Powers
to the Foreign Ministers, July 23, 1955 1
The Heads of Government of France, the United Kingdom, the
U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A., guided by the desire to contribute to the
relaxation of international tension and to the consolidation of confi-
dence between states, instruct their Foreign Ministers to continue the
consideration of the following questions with regard to which an ex-
change of views has taken place at the Geneva Conference, and to
propose effective means for their solution, taking account of the close
link between the reunification of Germany and the problems of
European security, and the fact that the successful settlement of
each of these problems would serve the interests of consolidating peace.
1. European Security and Germany.
For the purpose of establishing European security with due regard
to the legitimate interests of all nations and their inherent right to
individual and collective self-defence, the Ministers are instructed
to consider various proposals to this end, including the following:
A security pact for Europe or for a part of Europe, including provi-
sions for the assumption by member nations of an obligation not to
resort to force and to deny assistance to an aggressor; limitation,
control, and inspection in regard to armed forces and armaments;
establishment between East and West of a zone in which the disposition
of armed forces will be subject to mutual agreement; and also to
consider other possible proposals pertaining to the solution of this
problem.
The Heads of Government, recognizing their common responsi-
bility for the settlement of the German question and the re-unification
of Germany, have agreed that the settlement of the German question
and the re-unification of Germany by means of free elections shall be
carried out in conformity with the national interests of the German
people and the interests of European security. The Foreign Minis-
ters will make whatever arrangements they may consider desirable for
the participation of, or for consultation with, other interested parties.
2. Disarmawent
The Four Heads of Government,
Desirous of removing the threat of war and lessening the burden
of armaments,
Convinced of the necessity, for secure peace and for the welfare of
mankind, of achieving a system for the control and reduction of all
armaments and armed forces under effective safeguards.
Recognizing that achievements in this field would release vast ma-
terial resources to be devoted to the peaceful economic development of
1 Ibid., pp. 67-68.
153a