News In Brief

Berlin Wall anniversary brings forth counterviews

West Germany marked the 23rd anniversary of the erection of the Berlin Wall Monday with a statement saying that ''the wall stands as testimony to the East German state's efforts to limit the magnetic power of democracy and free enterprise.''

Meanwhile, East Germany defended its construction, charging that West Germany had been preparing an attack in 1961. It insisted on the need for dialogue with West Germany, however, and praised communist leader Erich Honecker's ''strong initiatives for securing peace.''

Some 3 million people left the East German state and sought work in West Germany before the wall was built. Since then, scores of East Germans have been killed trying to cross.