Allied Envoys Defy E. Berlin on Passports

Allied diplomats crossed into West Berlin today in defiance of a new East German demand that they had to show passports--a demand that could be construed as recognition of the frontier as an international border.

The U.S., British and French diplomats presented only their identity cards issued by the East Germans and crossed into West Berlin without incident, sources said.

A British government spokesman in London said the East German directive, obliging all diplomats to show passports rather than diplomatic passes when crossing to the West, violated principles of free movement in the divided city.

The Western Allies fear showing of passports could be interpreted as recognition of the East-West Berlin frontier as an international border and could undermine Western rights in the city.

Guards Warn Diplomats

East German border guards allowed British, U.S. and French diplomats to cross the frontier today with red diplomatic cards but warned that only passports would be accepted in the future.

A number of other NATO diplomats were turned back at the border after refusing to show passports. But East German authorities were clearly being cautious with the United States, Britain and France, who retain special occupation rights here.

The West German Foreign Ministry in Bonn said today that it had been told by East Germany that the measures were not aimed at Allied status but intended as a reaction to Western security fears after the West Berlin La Belle discotheque bombing.

U.S. Calls for Security

Two people were killed and 230 injured when a bomb exploded on April 5 at the La Belle discotheque, a popular meeting point for U.S. servicemen. Washington charged that the attack was launched from the Libyan mission here and asked East Germany to step up security.

Allied sensitivity over the passport issue underlines the fragile nature of the complex of Allied agreements with the Soviet Union which are the basis of the Western presence in West Berlin.

The top-level NATO Council meets this week in Halifax, Canada, and is expected to consider a response to the move.