Russian Suggestions

Northern Advocate, 5 October 1948, Page 6

Russian Suggestions

On August 27 agreement was reached regarding the following text of a communique which was to be published after the conclusion of the negotiations: “The four Governments also agreed that, apart from a conference of the four commanders, conferences would take place between representatives of the four Governments, in the shape of the Council of Foreign Ministers or other conferences of representatives of the four powers, to discuss any unsettled question concerning Berlin and any other unsolved problems affecting Germany as a whole.”

“However, a decision on the concluding part of the agreement was not reached. This was to contain the reply of the United States. British and French Governments to the Soviet Government’s desire that operation of the London decision regarding the establishment of a Government of the Western part of Germany be postponed until representatives of the four powers could discuss the question of Germany as a whole. “The Soviet Government was given an assurance by the three powers’ representatives that the London decisions did not rule out the possibility of an agreement between the four Governments regarding the establishment of a single Government for the whole of Germany.”

The Note asserts that Britain. France and the United States, having caused the negotiations to fall through, are resorting to all sorts of unfounded and really ridiculous accusations against Russia. They are doing everything in their power to increase the noise around the question of the so-called blockade, although no blockade m fact exists.

Western statements that starvation and epidemics might be caused are

without foundation, says the Note

There is sufficient food in Berlin. The Soviet Government has taken measures to provide all required. Russian transport restrictions cannot be avoided as long as the question of the introduction of single currency in ’Berlin is not regulated.

“The statement that a situation ha developed in Berlin which constitute a threat to international peace and se-

curity is without any basis,” adds the Note. “Such statements cannot divert from the separate and anti-democratic policy being pursued in Western Germany, which is transforming the latter into an obedient tool of the aggressive plans of a definite group of great powers.

Regarding the decision to refer the Berlin situation to the Security Council. the Soviet Government considers it necessary to make the following statement:

“(1) The question of Berlin is closely connected with the question of Germany as a whole, of the dismemberment of Germany and of the establishment of a separate Government in Western Germany; and, in accordance with Article 107 of the United Nations Charter, is a subject to be solved by those Governments which bear responsibility for the occupation of Germany. It is not a subject to be transferred to the Security Council. “(2) The United States Government's statement that a situation has arisen

that allegedly threatens international peace and security does not correspond to the real state of affairs, and is nothing more than a means of exerting pressure and an attempt to utilise the United Nations organisation for the achievement of its aggressive aims. “(3) The Soviet Government proposes that the directive to the Com-mandcrs-in-Chief agreed to be recognised as an agreement between the Russian, United States, British and French Governments on the basis of which the situation in Berlin should be regulated. ‘•(4) The Soviet Government proposes that the Council of Foreign Ministers be convened lo examine the question of the situation in Berlin and aiso the question of Germany as a whole, in accordance with the Potsdam agreement.”