THREE-POWER RULE IN WEST BERLIN: WITHOUT RUSSIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22826, 22 December 1948, Page 5

THREE-POWER RULE IN WEST BERLIN: WITHOUT RUSSIA

(N.Z.r. A.—Reuter —Copyright.) (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 21. The three Western commandants of Berlin formally set up a three-Power Government in the British, French and United States sectors of the city, says Reuter's correspondent in Berlin. In announcing this, General Ganeval, the French commandant, said: "On July 1 the Soviet authorities withdrew from the Allied Kommandatura, thus disrupting the quadripartite administration of Berlin. “The Allied Kommandatura was established by agreement between the four Governments which can only be altered by agreement of all the Governments concerned. The Allied Kommandatura has, therefore, not ceased to exist, although its work has, since July 1, been in suspense owing to the refusal of the Soviet authorities to attend its meetings.

“The refusal of the Russians to attend these meetings cannot any longer be allowed to obstruct the proper administration of Berlin according to law. "The new Kommandatura will resume its work forthwith. If the Soviet authorities, either now or in the future, decide to abide by the agreements to which the four Powers are committed, the quadripartite administration of Berlin would be resumed. “During their abstention the Western Allies will exercise the powers of the Allied Kommandatura, although it is realised that, owing to the Soviet obstruction. it will only be possible for them to carry out the decisions in the Western sectors for the present.”