The Repatriation Agreement Between the Soviet Union and the United
States, Yalta, February 11, 1945.
(similar agreements also were signed between USSR, Great Britain
and France)
Article 1
All Soviet citizens liberated by the forces operating under United
States command and all United States citizens liberated by the forces operating
under Soviet command will, without delay after their liberation, be separated
from enemy prisoners of war and will be maintained separately from them
in camps or points of concentration until they have been handed over to
the Soviet or United States authorities, as the case may be, at places
agreed upon between those authorities. . ..
Article 2
The contracting parties shall ensure that their military authorities
shall without delay inform the competent authorities of the other party
regarding citizens of the other contracting party found by them, and will
at the same time take the necessary steps to implement the provisions of
this agreement. Soviet and United States repatriation representatives will
have the right of immediate access into the camps and points of concentration
where their citizens are located and they will have the right to appoint
the internal administration and set up the internal discipline and management
in accordance with the military procedure and laws of their country.
Facilities will be given for the despatch [sic] or transfer of
officers of their own nationality to camps or points of concentration where
liberated members of the respective forces are located and there are insufficient
officers. The outside protection of and access to and from the camps or
points of concentration will be established in accordance with the instructions
of the military commander in whose zone they are located, and the military
commander shall also appoint a commandant, who shall have the final responsibility
for the overall administration and discipline of the camp or point concerned.
The removal of camps as well as the transfer from one camp to
another of liberated citizens will be effected by agreement with the competent
Soviet or United States authorities. The removal of camps and transfer
of liberated citizens may, in exceptional circumstances, also be effected
without preliminary agreement provided the competent authorities are immediately
notified of such removal or transfer with a statement of the reasons. Hostile
propaganda directed against the contracting parties or against any of the
United Nations will not be permitted.
Article 3
The competent United States and Soviet authorities will supply
liberated citizens with adequate food, clothing, housing and medical attention
both in camps or at points of concentration and en route, and with transport
until they are handed over to the Soviet or United States authorities at
places agreed upon between those authorities. The standards of such food,
clothing, housing and medical attention shall, subject to the provisions
of Article 8, be fixed on a basis for privates, non-commissioned officers
and officers. The basis fixed for civilians shall as far as possible be
the same as that fixed for privates.. . .
Text from : http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/soviet/sov007.htm