§ 57. Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what provision is made under the revised Occupation Statute for Western Germany for the West German Government to make treaties or to adhere to conventions.
§ Mr. YoungerSince the early days of its existence, the German Federal Government has had authority, on certain conditions, to negotiate and conclude international agreements. Under the revised Occupation Statute, the conditions upon which international agreements may be negotiated have been reduced to the minimum necessary to safeguard the reserved powers of the Occupation Authorities. The conditions upon which international agreements may be concluded remain unchanged, in so far as they are subject to disapproval by the Occupation Authorities within a period 21 days. But this power of disapproval will be exercised so as to permit the Federal Republic to conduct relations with foreign countries to the full extent compatible with the requirements of security, other reserved powers and obligations of the Occupying Powers relating to Germany.