Minutes of the Eighth Meeting - Big Three Conference at Berlin

8th Meeting Big Three Conference at Berlin, July 24, 1945 Secretary Byrnes reads the report of the Foreign Secretaries. 1. The economioccommittee was not yet ready to report on German reparations. They have not yet reported on reparations for Austria and Italy. The Russian delegation submitted papers on Austria and Italian reparations. These economic matters have been postponed a day. The economic committee will meet tonight. 2. The United States had submitted a paper on European oil supplies, but action was postponed pending the committee's re- port. 3. Implementation of Yalta Declaration on Europe and satellite states. The subcommittee was not ready to r eport, and the mat- ter was postponed. The paper proposed eventual admission -- Italy and neutrals, excluding Spain -- into the United Nations, which was discussed. Disagreement of the Foreign Secretaries was to be submitted to the Big Three. Soviets' objection to the paper was because it and omitted reference to Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary and Finland. Mr. Eden proposed certain changes regarding Italy 'and these 6.8 changes were agreed to. Secretary Byrnes proposed a paragraph and to include reference to admission of Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland when peace treaties were concluded, with responsible democratic governments of these countries. The Chairman had hoped that this would meet the objection of Mr. Molotov. As Mr. Molotov was not satisfied, it was referred to the Big Three. 4. Rumanian oil equipment. British paper proposing arbitration referred to committee. Agenda for Big Three meeting to include admission of Italy, neutrals, and satellite countries to United Nations organization, Polish western frontier, and the Straits. BYRNES: The Foreign Secretaries heard representatives of the Polish provisional government this morning. I assume the Foreign Secretaries have each made their own report to the heads of state, but I will give a brief summary, if desired. The Polish government proposed the Oder and western Neisse, including the city of Stettin as the basis of their western frontier. The principal arguments in support of this thesis were: Poland should be compensated in the west for what was taken from her in the east. The territory proposed in the west comprises one economic unit. Poland will receive less in the