Western Powers' Replies On Berlin Currency

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1948, Page 8

Western Powers' Replies On Berlin Currency

PARIS, Fri. (1.30 p.m.)—The Western powers’ replies to the questionnaire submitted by the chairman of the Security Council (Dr Bramuglia) on the Berlin currency problem, in an effort to solve the dispute, declare that four-power control of Berlin’s currency is not possible until a unified Berlin Government is restored, says the British United Press correspondent.

The replies, issued through the United Nations, together with the Russian reply, point out that unified administration of Berlin under fourpower supervision is being rapidly diminished, and that they “cannot in any circumstances agree that the Soviet authorities of the German bank of emission of the Soviet zone should exercise sole and unrestricted control over the, currency and finances of Berlin.”

The preamble to the Western replies says: “It must be pointed out that it will inevitably be difficult in practice to exercise four-power control of currency in a city in which the previous unified, administration under fourpower supervision is not fully functioning at present, and is, indeed, being rapidly diminished.” CONTROL OF TRADE The preamble continued: “This difficulty applies as well to the" control of trade between Berlin and the Western zones in that if a Berlin magistrate is not functioning in respect of the whole of Berlin, there will not be administrative machinery for . the issuance of licences. -“The Western powers’ representatives are anxious to provide all possible assistance in the examination of the Berlin: currency problem. “They are continuing their study of possible solutions in the light of current developments in Berlin.. “If you and your colleagues desire to. dnter into technical discussions on details to be worked out, our experts will be at your disposal.” RUSSIAN REPLY The Russian reply, which was much briefer in effect, called for acceptance of the four-power, agreement reached in Moscow,, on August 30, as a basis for four-power control of Berlin’s finances. The Associated Press correspondent says the Western powers stated that they- had no intention of interferring with the Soviet zone finances and if the Soviet mark became Berlin’s only currency, the city’s currency policy musU not endanger the financial stability of the Russian occupation zone. The Western replies .jwere accompanied, the project of September *7,’ which proposed that certain German banks in the. Soviet sector of Berlin should be recognised by the four powers as the bank of issue for Soviet .‘marks in all Berlin.

The Uhited - States did not agree with' this proposal.

Air Lift Forces Reach Target

LONDON,-Fri. (2.30 p.m.).—The Allied air' forces have already achieved their November target of supplies for blockaded Berlin, says the Associated Press Berlin correspondent. . British and American planes conquered .the worst weather month of the year over Germany to fly in a daily average of 4051 tons. The total for five months to today, is 580,973 tons in 82,149 flights.