WESTERN POLICY ON BERLIN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 7

WESTERN POLICY ON BERLIN

House of Commons Hears Mr Bevin AGREEMENT ON COURSE IF TALKS FAIL (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23. ..Speaking m the House of Commons debate on foreign affairs yesterday the Foreign Secretary (Mr Ernest Bevin) safd--We have o make our position clear. Berlin stands out now as a symbol of resistance, a sort of salient. When the blockade was put on we had to make the grave choice of either to stand firm or turn south and go to another Munich. We regard the lifting of the blockade as an essential condition on which any settlement must be based. any

There have been runiours of a disagreement between the Western Powers. Not only are we in absolute agreement over Berlin policy but also as to the policy we will jointly pursue if f w; hLT n r Ot “TS L y that that we ™ commuted to war. We ha\e not reached that stage yet.

“We have made provision at least to save Berlin from the worst effects of those who thought out this dastardly scheme, and who sought by this means to put pressure on the Western allies who stood with them in war. It is a poor reward so soon afterwards. Referring to the talks with Mr Stalin and Mr Molotov, Mr Bevin said: I have to disappoint you. The stage is not vet reached which makes it possible to release a statement. We are in close consultation, which will continue in Paris d'urine the coming week. . s