Evening star., 1948-09-26

lit is necessary strictly to ahere to
the agreement reached by the four
governments in Moscow concerning
quadripartite financial commis-
sion and its functions with regard to
the financial measures connected
with the introduction OF a single
currency inBerlin. The Soviet gov
ernment cannot agree to such ex-
tensions of the functions Of finan-
cial commission as would result in
the latter's Intervention into the
regulation of money circulation In
the Soviet zone as whole"
| On trade:
The Soviet government expressed
consent to the wishes OF the gov
ernments of the United States,
Great Britain and France concern
| ing the establishment Of quadripart-
ite control over Berlin's trade with
the Western zones and third coun-
tries, including the issuing Of ap-
propriate licenses, thus removing
the difference which existed on this
issue"
Blockade Began In June.
The Russians blockaded Berlin
late in June after the Western
powers introduced their own cur
rency in the Western sectors to
combat imitation and the black
market.
When Russia insisted that only
Russian-sponsored currency be al
lowed to circulate in Berlin, the
Allies refused and the Soviets
blocked the land routes to the city
which lies deep in the Russian
zone. The western powers have
been supplying the city by air since.
Western diplomats have been con-
ferring for weeks in Moscow with
Foreign Minister Molotov and, twice
with Prime Minister Stain, about
the blockade. The talks shifted tc
Berlin last month where the -four
military governors failed to reach ar
agreement.
Text Of Tass Statement.
The text Of the Tass statement
as broadcast by Moscow radio, fol.
lows:
"Tass has been authorized to make
a statement on the situation 1r
Berlin and on the negotiations which
were held during August and Sep.
tember this year on this question
between the governments of thu
U. S. S. r., the United States oi
America, Great Britain and France
This Is all the more necessary since
reports on this question which ap.
peared in the Anglo-American ano
French press, as well as the state.
ments of oficial persons, including
Mr.. Bevin's speech in the House OF
Commons of September ~, do moi
give true picture of the situation
In Berlin and of the above-men-
toned negotiations and frequently
mislead public opinion.
I'm its note addressed to the gov
ernments Of the United States
Great Britain and France Of July
IA of this year, the Soviet govern
ment declared that the situation
which had arisen in Berlin was the
result of the violation of the gov
ernments of the United States,
Great Britain and France of deci-
sions adopted previously at the Pots
dam conference as we'll as of the
four power agreement on the con-
troll machinery in Germany and in
Berlin.
THE violation consists Of the
carrying out of separate currency
reform by the three powers, the in
PRODUCTION Of special currency in the
Western sectors Of Berlin, and in
the policy Of the dismembering OF
Germany.
The situation brought about by
the separate actions of the Western
powers means that the three gov
ernments are not content with their
absolute rule in the Western zones
of Germany, but desire to rule 81
multaneously in monetary and finan.
cial matters in the Soviet occupa
ton zones as well by means OF in
Producing their special currency in
Berlin, which is in the center of the
Soviet. zone, and thereby to dis
organize economy in the Eastern
zone of Germany and eventually tc
dislodge the U. S. s. r. from there
This compelled the Soviet COM
mand in Germany to take steps fol
restricting transport communication
between Berlin and the Western oc.
cupa ton zones of Germany in order
to safeguard the interests OF the
German population and to protect
the economic life of the Soviet zone
against disorganization.
Since at the close Of July the
governments Of the United States
Great Britain and France addressed
a proposal to the u. s. s. r. gov
ernment jointly to examine thu
situation in Berlin and broader is