The World : Berlin Accord on Refugees

East Germany has agreed to try to stem the flow of Third World refugees crossing its border into the West, apparently solving a problem that has plagued West Germany. But the announcement came as a slap in the face to West Germany’s Chancellor Helmut Kohl, political observers said, because the agreement was arranged by Johannes Rau, leader of West Germany’s opposition Social Democratic Party who will oppose Kohl in the national election next January. Under the agreement, which takes effect Oct. 1, the Communist government will now insist that people wishing to enter East Berlin en route to the West must have a valid visa issued by the country to which they are headed.