The Nome Nugget

E. German Minister
Pictures Berlin as
World Powderkeg
By JOHN M. HIGHTOWER
GENEVA. (AP) - A Communist East German spokesman declared in the Big Four conference yesterday that West Berlin is "a powderkeg which can ignite a world atomic conflagration."

In a slashing attack on alleged cold war activities of the Western powers in the divided city, East German Foreign Minister Lothar Bolz said dozens of subversive and espionage organizations operate in West Berlin against the whole Soviet bloc.

Ambassador Wilhelm Grewe of West Germany, also addressing the conference at the Palace of Nations, accused the Communists of carrying on "mud-slinging, slanderous agitation and propaganda" since the beginning of the Geneva talks three weeks ago.

Grewe, the West German envoy to Washington, appealed to the Communists to drop such tactics and get down to the business of trying to narrow differences between East and West over Berlin and German issues.

Bolz made his charges in arguing for acceptance of the Soviet proposal that the Western powers give up their occupation status in West Berlin and join in neutralizing the city.

Grewe said the Western forces -- U. S., British and French -- are regarded by the people of Berlin as protectors against Communism.

Bolz, in an obvious reference to the American radio station RIAS in West Berlin, declared West Berlin radio stations are urging the East German people to take illegal action against the Communist regime.

While the hot words flew in the semipublic session of the Big Four meeting, diplomats reported very little progress was being made in secret East-West talks here toward working out a formula for ending the Berlin crisis and paving the way to a summit conference.

The United States, Britain and France were said to have developed a new proposal for creation of a Big Four commission to deal with the Berlin situation and assume some responsibility for keeping open supply lines across East Germany between Berlin and West Germany.

Russia has proposed setting up a new commission over West Berlin alone. Informants said the West would not agree to give the Communists any authority in relation to West Berlin except as the Western powers gained comparable authority in East Berlin.