Protest About Berlin Migs

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31974, 29 April 1969, Page 15

Protest About Berlin Migs

f.N.Z.P^4.-Reuter— Copyright) WEST BERLIN, April 28. The three Western allies protested to Soviet authorities yesterday against two days of low formation flights over West Berlin by Soviet MiG fighters.

A joint statement said the allied commandants had noted that on several occasions on Saturday and on Friday a number of Soviet MiGs were observed flying low over the city.

The protest—believed to have been made on the grounds of air safety was delivered to the Soviet representative at the Four Power air safety centre which controls air space over Berlin.

Details of the protest were! not revealed. It was understood. however, that the Western Allies asked the Russians for an explanation of the unusual formation flights, which had puzzed officials. The MiGs, flying in groups of four, six and 10. swooped low over the city's southern district several times yesterday. They were sighted over the British military airport at Gatow and near West Berlin's central airport of Tempelbof.

It was not known whether the MiGs buzzed or harassed any Western civilian airliners. Yesterday one Pan-Ame-rican airliner was seen near a group of MiGs.

Informed sources said that on Friday the MiGs came dangerously near several civilian airliners. There are over 100 Inward and outgoing daily

flights between Berlin and West Germany. Under Four-Power agreements, Soviet aircraft are entitled to fly over West Berlin but usually keep away from this area.