ALLIES FACED WITH DIFFICULT PROBLEM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1945, Page 5

ALLIES FACED WITH DIFFICULT PROBLEM

CONTROL IN 'BERLIN

Powers Work With "Great

Friendliness"

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright j N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Following a meeting of the Kommandature, some 1,650,000 Berliners will come under British and American military Governments at 9 a.m. to-morrow, says Reuters Berlin correspondent, Major-General Lyne stated to-night: "We reached complete unanimity in everything we discussed. The meeting was conducted in an atmosphere of great friendliness. However, we are obviously faced with a difficult job. Many problems remain to be solved, but given friendliness and a desire to work together, which I found among the Russians, Americans, British and French I cannot believe there will be any problem in Berlin that cannot be solved. "Experts to-day are working on a settlement of the food and fuel problems. . We agreed in principle that food shall come from the major occupational areas of each Power to the occupational zones in the capital, but there is obviously room for a system of exchange which experts are now considering. • There will be a uniform ration throughout Berlin. Russian Troops Withdraw "Practically all the Russian troops will be withdrawn to-morrow from the British and American areas of the city. Only a few essential guards of food dumps and railways will remain. British Military Government courts will now begin ,to operate. British officers will be attached to the offices of the Oberburgomeister of the city." Regarding the Kommandature policy, General Lyne said that all its decisions must be unanimous. Differences will be referred to the Control Commission. Seventeen sub-committees are examining the enormous range of problems posed by the occupying Powers. An important meeting will be held to-morrow to consider newspapers, propaganda and radio policy. Elaborating on Tuesday night's communique, General Lyne said the agreement on fuel had definitely been reached, but as on food it was only temporary and both would be subject to review. There had been no question of our giving in to the Russians on the subject of food and fuel. Both sides had compromised. All resources of food would be distributed in Berlin sectors on a pool basis. The Russians had been a tremendous help all round. Food and fuel experts of the three Powers were getting together on Thursday. The food system all over Berlin would be uniform. General Lyne added: "I am delighted with the way things are going."