Evening star., 1948-07-10
Text of American Note
viii Not Abandon Rights

would offend oil the rules Of comfy
and reason.
VIII Not Abandon Rights.
TN order that there. should be no
misunderstanding whatsoeter on
this point, the United States Gov
eminent categorically asserts that 1t
Is in occupation of its sector in Ber-
lin with free access thereto As a
matter Of established right deriving
from the defeat and surrender Of
Germany and confirmed by formal
agreements among the principal
Allies. 1t further declares that it
will not be induced by threats, pres
sures or other actions to abandon
these rights. 1t is hoped that the
Soviet government entertains no
doubts whatsoever on this point.
'This Government now shares with
the governments Of France and the
United Kingdom the responsibility
initially undertaken at Soviet re-
quest on July z, 1s45, for the phys
ical well-being Of 2,400, 600 in the
western sectors Of Berlin. Restric-
tions recently imposed by the Soviet
authorities in Berlin have operated
to prevent this Government and the
governments Of the United King
dom ana France from fulfllling that
responsibility in an adequate man
ner.
"The responsibility which this
Government bears for the physical
well-being and safety Of the Ger
man population in its sector Of Ber-
lin is outstandingly humanitarian
in character. This population in
cludes hundreds of thousands Of
women the children, whose health
and safety are dependent on the
continued use Of adequate facilities
for moving food, medical supplies
and other items indispensable to
the maintenance Of human life in
the western sectors Of Berlin. The
most elemental of these human
rights which both our governments
are solemnly pledged to protect are
thus placed in jeopardy by these
restrictions. 1t is intolerable that
any one of the occupying author
tiles should attempt to impose q
blockade upon the people Of Berlin
End of Blockade Demanded.
"The United States Government
is therefore obliged to insist that
in accordance with existing agree.
ments the arrangements for the
movement Of freight and passenger
traffic between the Western zones
and Berlin be fully restored. There
can be no question Of delay in the
restoration Of these essential serv-
ices, since the needs of the civilian
population in the Berlin area are
imperative.
Holding these urgent views re.
garding its rights and obligations
in the United States sector Of Ber-
lin, yet eager always to resolve con-
troversies in the spirit Of fair con-
sideration for the viewpoints Of all
concerned. the Government Of the
United States declares that duress
should not be invoked as method
Of attempting to dispose OF any
disagreements which may exist be.
tween the Soviet government anc
the Government of the United
States in respect OF any aspect o1
the Berlin situation. Such disagree
ments, if any, should be settled BY
negotiations or by any of the Other
peaceful methods provided for ir
Article Three of the Charter ir
keeping with our mutual pledges a
co-partner in the United Nations
For these reasons the Government
of the United States is ready as
first step to participate in negotia.
tions in Berlin among the four AL.
lied occupying authorities for the
settlement of any question in dis.
pute arising out of the administra-
ton Of the city Of Berlin. It Is, how
ever, a prerequisite that the lines
of communication and the move
ment Of persons and goods between
the United Kingdom, the United
States and the French sector in Ber-
lin and the Western zones shall
have been fully restored"