Soviet Food Offer Will Not End Air Lift

Chronicle (Levin), 22 July 1948, Page 5

Soviet Food Offer Will Not End Air Lift

. — Reuter,

(N.Z.P.A

Copyright)

Received Thursday, 10.30 a.m. LONDON, July 21. The tension over Berlin has eased considerably and the feeling now is that "the situation is at least temporarily less explosive. The main reasons for this appear to be, firstly, the five "Western Union Powers' insistence on diplomatic and not military solutions, and the possibility of Four-Powef talks on the whole of Germany if Russia lifts the Berlin blockade; secondly, the United States State Department's line that. provocation will be avoided and a peaceful solution sought; and, thirdly, the Russian move' to send food to Berlin, this dissipating the issue that the people of Western Berlin are in danger of starving. It is thought that the Western AHies are almost certain to send ancther note to Russia on the blockade, affirming their right to remain in Berlin but broadening the basis for a conference. A Foreign Office spokesman said today that the Soviet food offer had not led the Western Powers to plan for an ending of the air lift operations. In fact they intended to increase the air lift. Speaking in the House of Coramons today, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, said that the Russians had never raised any objections to the supply by air of the British, Anierican and French Sectors of Berlin. Russia had never given a warning that Yak fighters would "saturate" the Berlin air corridors as was reported »last night. A Royal Air Force ofhcer at Gatow Airport also denied as "absolute rubbish" the reports of a Russian warning that Yak activity in the air corridors would be intensified. The United States. Air Force announced that Super Fortresses from Germany carried out a bombing training mission over Heligoland today. The bombers returned within seven hours.