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/By late 1946, it had become clear to Washington that Germany's tardy recovery was jeopardizing the whole economic future of Europe. And to Secretary Byrnes, it was clear that some start must be made toward unifying Germany with or without the agreement of France and Russia.  Representatives of Great Britain and the U.S. laid down a unification plan for their two zones as advocated by General Clay.  
/Clay: "The United States is spending $200 million a year in supporting the German economy.  Britain is spending twice as much. By unifying the two zones  and investing a billion dollars jointly to get the German economy functioning again, we can have the whole area self-supporting within three years. That may seem like a lot of money, but I can assure you, it will pay us in the end."  
/The British and Americans were confident that this agreement could induce Russia to alter its attitude of opposition to unification.  For necessary as were the agricultural resources of the Russian zone to the British and Americans, even more desirable to Russia were the industrial resources of the Ruhr.  On sharing these depends Russia's only hope of collecting the huge annual reparations which he has claimed.
/That unifying Germany and restoring its industrial capacity may restore its war potential, the Allies are aware.  But at least America is resolved to continue the occupation until the Germans give conclusive evidence of regeneration, if necessary for 40 years.