The Nation: Hold the Onions

The Big-Four ambassadors meeting in Berlin to negotiate the city’s status had developed a ritual of retiring after each session for a long and lavish luncheon at the residence of one or another. In an effort to accomplish more business, it was decided that the Americans would cater the meal during one meeting. The arrangement did little to promote détente, however. The mistrustful Russians brown-bagged their own caviar and vodka. The Americans—chacun son goût—served hamburgers. No agreement on Berlin is in sight.