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DOCUMENTS ON GERMANY, 1944-59              59
Powers, was to make clear that the points under discussion were the
following:
1. Reciprocal and simultaneous lifting of the restrictions im-
posed by the Soviet Union since March 1, 1948, on communica-
tions, transportation, and trade between Berlin and the Western
zones of Germay and the restrictions imposed by the Three Powers
on communications, transportation, and trade to and from the
East zone of Germany.
2. The fixing of a date to be determined for a meeting of the
Council of Foreign Ministers.
The Western Powers wished to be sure that these two points were
not conditioned in the understanding of the Soviet Government on
any of the other points which in the past had prevented agreement
upon the lifting of the blockade.
The statement summarized the understanding of the three Govern-
ments of the position which the Soviet Government took concerning
the proposal of lifting the blockade and the meeting of the Council
of Foreign Ministers. Its purpose was to make unmistakably clear
that the position of the Soviet Government was as now stated in the
release of the Tass Agency.
On April 10 Mr. Malik again asked Mr. Jessup to call upon him at
that time and again stated the position of the Soviet Government.
From this statement it appeared that there were still certain points
requiring clarification.
As a result of this meeting, further discussions took place between
the three Governments, which have resulted in a more detailed formu-
lation of their position, which will be conveyed by Mr. Jessup to Mr.
Malik.
If the present position of the Soviet Government is as stated in the
Tass Agency. release as published in the American press, the way
appears clear for a lifting of the blockade and a meeting of the Council
of Foreign Ministers. No final conclusion upon this can be reached
until further exchanges of view with Mr. Malik.
Four-Power Communique, on Agreement on Lifting the Berlin
Blockade, New York, May 4, 19491
The Governments of France, the Union of Soviet Socialist Repub-
lics, the. United Kingdom, and the United States have reached the
following agreement:
1. All the restrictions imposed since March 1, 1948 by the Govern-
ment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on communications,
transportation, and trade between Berlin and the Western zones of
Germany and between the Eastern zone and the Western zones will
be removed on May 12, 1949.
2. All the restrictions imposed since March 1, 1948 by the Govern-
ments of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, or any
one of them, on communications, transportation, and trade between
Berlin and the Eastern zone and between the Western and Eastern
zones of Germany will also be removed on May 12, 1949.
1 Germany, 1947-1949: The Story in Documents,,p. 274.