East Germany protested to Hungary last night, angrily demanding that its borders be closed, ending the exodus to freedom for thousands.
As the war of words intensified - with Russia adding its condemnation - East Germany said: 'Hungary's behaviour is a clear violation of legal treaties and violates the basic interests of our country.'
The statement coincided with the arrival in East Berlin of Yegor Ligachev, the Kremlin's hardliner.
Despite Soviet claims that it was a visit to discuss agricultural problems. Western diplomats had no doubt that his main purpose was crisis talks with East Germany's Communist Party chiefs.

(By Diplomatic Correspondent)
Russia's criticism of the Hungarians came from Kremlin spokesman Gennady Gerasimov who criticised them for taking 'the very unusual step' in relaxing border controls to allow East Germans to drive through Austria to reach West Germany.
He admitted the Kremlin was worried at the surge - estimated at 10,000 so far and showing no signs of slackening off.
'Naturally this situation is of some concern to us', he said. But then he tried to play it down, saying: 'It does not affect us directly'.
The condemnation of Hungary's action has continued in the East German press.
Hans-Dieter Schuett, editor of The Communist youth daily Junge Welt, stated: 'Dollars are flowing into the pockets of the Hungarian reformers who are the capitalists' friends'.
Hungary Foreign Minister Gyula Horn, who gave the go-ahead for the exodus, angrily denied the claims that his country had accepted cash from West Germany, saying it was 'so low as to be beneath comment.'
The allegations were 'unacceptable and insulting.'
Yesterday, more than 5,000 'tourists' were estimated to have crossed in to Hungary from Czechoslovakia - the only country to which East Germans can travel without a visa.

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~sztoth