740.00119 Control (Austria)/l 1–344: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union ( Kennan ) to the Secretary of State

4214. On October 31, I addressed a letter to Molotov91 along the lines of the Department’s 2453, October 17, 8 p.m., concerning the establishment of a Tripartite Control Commission in Vienna. I have today received a reply from Molotov stating that the Soviet Government considers that this question should be examined in the EAC simultaneously with the question of zones of occupation and Allied Control mechanism for Austria. Accordingly, the letter continues, the Soviet Government, as shown in its memorandum92 delivered to the Foreign Office on October 26 by the Soviet Chargé d’Affaires93 in London, has given instructions to its representatives in EAC to submit to the Commission a draft protocol of agreement concerning the occupation of Austria.

In considering questions of our participation in a Tripartite occupation and control of Austria, I hope that our representatives in EAC and all interested parties in our Government are weighing carefully the dangers to which such participation can lead in case we do not have a firm and detailed understanding with the Russians over the political purposes toward which Tripartite Control should be directed. The pursuance of divergent policies by the different governments involved can plainly impair the efficacy of the Central Tripartite Administration, encourage a tendency toward virtual partition of the country and react unfavorably on Russian-American relations.

It is quite possible that the Russians may be willing to join us in defining the purpose of Tripartite Control as the restoration of a democratic and independent Austria, With all due satisfaction over such a community of expressed purpose, we should remember that their interpretation of these words is not always the same as ours. [Page 468] Previous experience has not indicated that they are inclined to view as truly democratic or truly independent any eastern or central European country where political leadership is not exercised, and vigorous police control not maintained, by political groupings devoted in large measure to the cultivation of friendship with the Soviet Union.

Repeated to London as No. 247 and to AmPolAd95 Caserta, No. 18.

Kennan
  1. Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.
  2. See telegram 9227, October 26, from London, p. 369.
  3. Konstantin Mikhailovich Kukin, Counsellor of the Soviet Embassy in London.
  4. American Political Adviser at Caserta (Alexander C. Kirk).