1.
GV & CU New embassy and sign (2 shots)
0.08

2.
MV DDR Flag going up
0.19

3.
SV Officials at ceremony
0.22

4.
SV Official rasing flag TILT UP TO flag as cameramen watch (2 shots)
0.34

5.
GV PAN Officials into embassy
0.43



Initials SC/229 SC/242



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: With the hoisting of the East German flag in Bonn, the capital of West Germany, the first permanent mission was opened between the two German states on Thursday (3 May). A thirteen-man advance guard attended the ceremony. They start work in a fully equipped building, but in East Berlin, the West German attachment found on Thursday that their new mission was still in the throes of renovation, and that they were not expected.

The establishment of missions in each of the two countries capitals was agreed in the treaty both government signed in late 1972. Agreement on the exact scope and responsibility of the representations was reached only recently after long discussions between Dr. Michael Kohl, head of the Permanent East German representation in Bonn, and Herr Guenter Gaus, who will head the West German representation in East Berlin.

The exchange of official heads of the two missions has been delayed by the spying affair which erupted a week ago, with the arrest of one of West German Chancellor Wily Brandt's closest aides on suspicion of spying for East Germany. Senior officials are to take the place of the permanent heads for the time being.