WORLD : Envoys of 4 WWII Allied Powers Discuss Future of Divided Berlin
WEST BERLIN — Ambassadors of the four World War II allied powers met today for the first time in 18 years to discuss the future of Berlin, and the Soviet Union expressed favorable interest in a Western initiative aimed at improving conditions in the divided city.
A joint statement issued after the 2 1/2-hour meeting at the former Allied Control Authority Building in West Berlin said the four powers--the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain and France--might hold further talks.
“The Western ambassadors set out their proposals under the Berlin Initiative. The Soviet ambassador expressed favorable interest,” the statement said.
That initiative, launched by then-President Ronald Reagan in 1987, aims to make Berlin an international crossroads, easily accessible by air and open for contacts across the wall and even for a jointly hosted Olympic Games.
Moscow initially responded negatively. But with the wall breached and superpower ties on a new footing, the Soviets decided to shift tack and call for talks.
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