WORLD : E. German Parliament Closed
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EAST BERLIN — East Germany shut down its Parliament building today after finding dangerous levels of cancer-causing asbestos, forcing lawmakers to look for a new place to meet.
The white-and-gold Palace of the Republic, built by the Communists for its rubber-stamp Parliament, has been the seat of East Germany’s first and last freely elected sovereign legislature.
Government spokesman Matthias Gehler said it is still unknown where the 400-member Parliament will convene Thursday, when it is to consider a historic treaty laying the foundation for German unity. The two German nations are to unite on Oct. 3.
The Palace of the Republic has been mentioned frequently as the possible new house of a united Parliament if the seat of the new German government is moved to Berlin.
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