Formal agreement with German town to be discussed

An agreement could be signed between Guernsey and a German town to formalise a relationship that dates back to the occupation during World War Two.

Starting in late 1942, British citizens who had not born in the Channel Islands were deported to Camp Lindele - a civilian internment camp near Biberach - with about 1,000 being sent in all.

Guernsey politicians have been asked to support a proposal called the Biberach Framework of Friendship Arrangement, which aims to strengthen cultural, social and economic ties.

The proposal said the aim of the deal was to build on the productive and well spirited relationship that had developed between Guernsey and Biberach.

Shortly after the war ended in 1945, visits of former deportees to the German town and individuals from Biberach to Guernsey began on an informal basis.

In 1997, the Guernsey Deportees Association was formed after the town's then mayor Thomas Fettback invited a group over from the island.

The Guernsey Council of Churches then invited citizens from Biberach an der Riß to take part in a Week of Reconciliation.

Since 1997, visits have taken place by official invitations of the town and the Biberach Friends of Guernsey and the Guernsey Friends of Biberach.

If approved members of the Policy and Resources Committee would be given the authority to sign the deal on behalf of the States.

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