User:BobC1965/sandbox

In November 1944 the UK, USA and USSR signed the Agreement on Control Machinery for the administration of Germany in the period following a surrender. Article 2 of this agreement established the principle that each power would be able to establish liaison missions in each other's occupation zones.

In accordance with this Article, the Robertson-Malinin agreement was a bilateral agreement dated 16th September 1946 between the Commanders-in-Chief of the British and Soviet occupation zones in Germany. Its purpose was to allow for each of the two powers to establish Military Liaison Missions in occupation zone of the other, with the intention of maintaining liaison between the staff of the two Commanders-in-Chief.

The agreement provided for each mission to comprise of 11 officers and up to 20 support personnel. All members of the mission were allowed freedom of travel within the zone of the other, with the exception of restricted areas which each Commander-In-Chief could determine and notify to the other mission. In addition, couriers were allowed to travel between the Missions and the HQ of thier Commander-in-Chief with the equivalent of diplomatic immunity. The mission buildings themselves were also given full immunity. The text of the agreement did not specify any requirements regarding uniforms, vehicles or weapons in relation to mission members travelling within the other's zone, and nor did it explicitly prohibit photography or any other any activity.

As well as its liaison role, each mission was also permitted to provide assistance to visiting nationals from their own country and to make representations on their behalf.