WEST AND EAST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 4

WEST AND EAST

With the first move complete in the lifting of the blockade of Berlin—the resumption of surface transportation between Berlin and the Western Zone—much remains to be accomplished before it will be safe to greet a rapprochement in Germany between the allies of the West and the Soviet Zone. It is a condition of the cessation by Russia of the singularly unsuccessful attempt to blockade Berlin that the Western counter blockade shall also be lifted. This counter blockade had, on the authority of the Financial Times, unquestionably affected the economy of Eastern Europe even more than the blockade was hurting the West. The agreement, therefore, for the restoration of what, in an abnormal situation may be described as normal trade communications* in Germany was very much to the Russian advantage, although this is not to suggest that it was not also greatly to the advantage of Germany, and of the West. We printed yesterday a forecast by the chief United States economic adviser that a full agreement with the Soviet on trade resumption will be effected by May 18, that is, before the Foreign Ministers resume their discussions on May 23, which are directed at the restoration of fourPower control over the whole of Germany.

This is very significant. The lifting of the blockade was interpreted first as an admission of defeat by the USSR of its attempt to “freeze out” the Western Allies from Berlin; and its greater significance is now seen more clearly to lie in an effort by the Russians to prevent the Soviet Zone being frozen out of the economy of Western Europe. The head of the Western’ Powers’ Economic Co-operation Administration is quoted as saying that this organisation is prepared to restore fully the pre-war pattern of German trade with the Eastern European countries, and he seated that this would not draw Western Germany into the Russian orbit but “ would pierce the Iron Curtain, and probably spur Eastern European interest in trade with the West.” This, it must be admitted, would be the most satisfactory and gratifying outcome from the present developments. It remains to be seen what real concessions Russia is prepared to make towards fourPower unity, apart from those which obviously have been dictated by frustration and self-interest. The Foreign Ministers’ conference will provide at least the immediate answer to that question. Soviet willingness to compromise in the West is necessarily suspect. To the present, the Russians, have proved obstructive, and there is no reason for being beguiled by the more conciliatory attitude their present demeanour suggests.