English Translation

- 2 - interest. The other enterprises should be left to the Slovaks. Prime Minister Tuka's wish was that as a result of the liquidation of the Czechoslovak state all the enterprises or holdings which had been cschechized by the Czech economic policy were left to Slovakians. He therefore stressed the importance of at least a basic agreement being reached by the government committees. Concerning my objection that separation of Slovak businesses is usually not possible because they are far too economically linked to the parent company in the Protectorate, Prime Minister Puka referred to the possibility of long-term contracts for cooperation, supplies, etc. The further discussions showed that Prime Minister Tuka is probably particularly important for internal political reasons to take a step further on the issue of participation. The Slovaks fear that the protectorate interests could be sold to wealthy German companies, which only have the purpose of investing their war profits. In several negotiations between the Chairman of the German Government Committee, Ministerial Conductor Dr. Bergemann, and the undersigned with the Governor of the Slovak National Bank and Head of the Supreme Economic Office, Dr. K a r v a š, then an agreement could be reached on the attached declaration for the minutes of the Intergovernmental Committee meeting, which also obtained the approval of the Prime Minister Tuka. The undersigned will be appointed as German representative. This ensures that the question of shareholdings in Slovakia is not dealt with independently and directly from Berlin. Moreover, the wording of the declaration does not mean any special consideration for us, since any obligations to transfer shareholdings are not taken over in Slovakia. Only in the event of a divestment of the enterprises or shareholdings should the Slovak acquisition intentions have priority. Such a concession is harmless, since the disposal of the companies or holdings is not to be expected, as far as they interest us.