Evening star., 1948-07-10

1HG LeTE o. HOLC SGCTctuIy
OF State Marshall handed to the
Soviet Ambassador here Tuesday
regarding the Berlin situation:
'Excellency:
The United States Government
wishes to call to the attention of
the Soviet government the extremely
serious international situation which
has been brought about by the &C
tions OF the Soviet government in
imposing restrictive measures on
transport which amount now to a
blockade against the sectors In Ber-
lin occupied by the United States,
United Kingdom and France. The
United States Government regards
these measures Of blockade as a
clear violation of existing agree
ments concerning the administration
of Berlin by the four occupying
powers.
"The rights of the United States
as q joint occupying power in Berlin
derive from the total defeat and
unconditional surrender Of Ger.
many. The international agreements
undertaken in connection Herewith
by the governments Of the United
States, United Kingdom, France and
the Soviet Union defined the zones
in Germany and the sectors in Ber-
lin which are occupied by these
powers. They established the quad
ripartite control of Berlin on basis
Of friendly cooperation which the
government OF the United States
earnestly desires to continue to pur-
sue.
These agreements implied the
right of free access to Berlin. This
right has long been confirmed by
usage. 1t was directly specified in
message sent by President Truman
to Premier Stain on June "A, 1915
which agreed to the withdrawal OF
United States forces to the zonal
boundaries, provided satisfactory ar
rangements could be entered into be-
tween the military commanders,
which would give access by rail, road
and air to United States forces in
Berlin. Premier Stain replied on
June 16 suggesting a change in date
but no other alteration in the plan
proposed by the President. Premier
Stain then gave assurances that all
necessary measures would be taken
in accordance with the plan.
u. s. Withdrew Forces.
Correspondence in similar SENSE
took place between Premier Stalir
and Mr.. Churchill.
In accordance with this under
standing, the United States, whose
armies had penetrated deep into
Saxony and Thuringia, parts Of the
Soviet zone, withdrew it's forces te
its own area of occupation in Ger.
many and took up its position in its
own sector in Berlin. Thereupor
the agreements in regard to the
occupation of Germany and Berlin
went into effect.
"The United States would not
have so Withdrawn its troops from
a large area now occupied by tht
soviet Union had there been any
doubt whatsoever about the observ.
ance of its agreed right of fret
access to its sector Of Berlin. TIL.
right of the United States to it!
position in Berlin thus stems from
precisely the same source as tn.
right of the Soviet Union. 1t l!
impossible to assert the latter ant
deny the former.
"It clearly results from these un.
dertakings that Berlin Is not par
of the Soviet zone, but is an inter.
national zone of occupation. Com.
mitments entered into in good faith
by the zone commanders, and subse.
quently confirmed by the Allied
Control Authority, as well as prac-
tices sanctioned by usage, guarantee
the United States together with
other powers, free access to Berlin
for the purpose Of fulfilling its re-
sponsibilities as an occupying power
The facts are plain. Their meaning
is clear. ANY other Interpretation