Mystery Of Berlin Plan Deepens

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 7

Mystery Of Berlin Plan Deepens

(N ,ZJ^.A.~Reutir—Copyright) BONN, November 14. The mystery of the reported new “Berlin plan” deepened yesterday when the West German Government recalled its Ambassador in Moscow (Mr Hans Kroll) for urgent consultations. At the same time, it gave him an unprecedented rap on the knuckles for discussing some angles of the Berlin question with Mr Khrushchev “Without authorisation,” the British United Press reported.

Agency reports quoting usually reliable sources said there was no new Soviet four-point plan on Berlin, as reported unofficially last, week.

The West German Federal Government indicated yesterday that Mr Kroll might be withdrawn from his post for making unauthorised proposals to Mr Khrushchev. The Associated Press said the Foreign Ministry spokesman (Mr Hans Hille) told a news conference Mr Kroll’s fate would be decided after his return to Bonn. Asked For Ideas

Mr Kroll was summoned to a long private meeting on Thursday by Mr Khrushchev and asked for his ideas on how the Berlin crisis might be resolved. Mr Hille said Mr Kroll’s answers included at least two proposals which did not represent the West German Government’s position, and corresponded with parts of the reported new Soviet plan for ending international tension over the city. The two proposals were: A four-power agreement on the status of West Berlin and access to it from West Germany.

An arrangement between the Soviet Union and Communist East Germany to guarantee this agreement. Yesterday’s news conference further confused the mystery of whether Mr Kroll committed a major indiscretion, or if the affair represented a new turn in West German manoeuvring on Berlin, the Associated Press added. One interpretation was that West Germany was looking for a way out of its steadfast position on Berlin, and was putting up a trial balloon to test public reaction to a more flexible policy. The Kroll affair occurred just a week before the West German Chancellor (Dr. Konrad Adenauer) is due to consult President Kennedy on common allied strategy over the demands of the Soviet Union for a Berlin settlement. First Mention The agency’s Moscow correspondent reported that the first talk of the new "Berlin plan” took place at the November 7 Kremlin reception. This was two days before Mr Kroll saw Mr Khrushchev. Although it could not be verified that the outline of the plan was actually proposed by the Russians, it did evolve from discussions at the reception. In London, Reuter reported that although reports of a new Soviet plan had been discounted in Government circles, officials were not yet sure there was not some slight Soviet movement towards compromise.

According to an authoritative London source, the British- American study of the Soviet Union’s position on Berlin had been postponed till after next week’s talks between Dr. Adenauer and President Kennedy.