September 1, 1960: West Berlin Isolated, Chewing Gum Begets Espionage, France to Quit Algeria

The Soviet Union tightened the screws on the West in Berlin, restricting travel land travel from West Germany on this day in the Cold War, 1960. East German guards on the border between East and West Germany turned away travelers from the West. There was also a temporary ban imposed on most West Germans entering East Berlin. The crackdown was believed to have been an effort by the Communists to limit attendance at a meeting in Berlin for former prisoners of war, as well as a rally for Germans driven out of territory Germany lost in the war to Poland and the Soviet Union. The ban was to last five days. The US said it will take unspecified action if the ban is extended. ... In Moscow, authorities cautioned youth against "idle" contacts with western visitors. A US newspaper wrote, "Addiction to American chewing gum and rock 'n' roll dancing were described as the first steps toward possible involvement in United States espionage activities." ... In Paris the French government said it would withdraw from its military bases in Morocco by March. ... In Amman, Jordan, there were appeals to the Arab League to mediate in the dispute with the United Arab Republic following the assassination of Jordanian Premier Hazza Majall.


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