740.00119 EAC/8–2344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
7373. Eacom 31, in reply to your Comea 76 of August 22 and with reference to despatch no. 17617.78 In general, the British proposal to divide Austria into two zones to be occupied by U.K. and U.S.S.R. forces, respectively, with U.S. representation on a central body in Vienna, appears to be consistent with the position taken here that U.S. personnel will participate equally at the national level on the understanding that U.S. occupational forces will be on a token basis, similar in size for those planned for Berlin. In these circumstances, we believe that the U.K. and U.S.S.R. should take the initiative with respect to the form of control machinery. Our view is that control machinery for Austria might well follow the general scheme of a Control Council, as proposed for Germany and outlined in WS–15c,79 with such modifications as may be necessary to take into account the different situation in Austria, particularly with respect to the elimination of any U.S. zone of occupation.
Referring to telegram no. 13967 of August 24 from your Military Adviser to the War Department, our view is that the drafting of proclamations and general orders for Austria might well await the formulation of general policies for the treatment of Austria and its separation from the Reich.