RUMOURS THAT RUSSIA INTENDS TO LIFT THE BLOCKADE OF BERLIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 14 April 1949, Page 5

RUMOURS THAT RUSSIA INTENDS TO LIFT THE BLOCKADE OF BERLIN

LONDON, April 13 (Reed. 7.45 pm). —There were again persistent reports in Berlin last night that the Soviet authorities were on the point of lifting the Berlin blockade, but the "Daily Telegraph's’’ Berlin correspondent says it was impossible to obtain confirmation of them. The Soviet Information Bureau in Berlin said it had received no instructions to “stand by," as is usual if the Russian authorities are preparing an important announcement. A British Foreign Office spokesman in London told the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent that nothing was known of any change in the Berlin situation, and he was unable to give any explanation of the reports which have been coming from New York and Wash ington on the lifting of the blockade. These reports have been given much prominence in the French Press, which has stated that they are taken seriously in authoritative French quarters. According to the reports the lifting of the blockade would be followed by an early meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to reestablish a common Four-Power policy for the whole of Germany, in accordance with the PoUdam Agreement. The three Western Powers have repeatedly stated that they would agree to such a meeting as soon as the blockade was lifted unconditionally. It was pointed out in London that the recent Government changes in Russia are still open to the interpretation that a reversal of the Russian foreign policy was contemplated, with special reference to Germany.