740.00119 Control Austria/7–345: Telegram
No. 280
The Ambassador in Italy
(Kirk) to the Secretary of State
2850. Our 2842, July 2.1
June 30 [A]FHQ directed Brit Eight Army to contact local Russ Commander Sov Forces in Styria to arrange for Sov withdrawal and subsequent Brit movement into Styria and Carinthia areas of Austria.
July 1 Brit officer commanding Fifth Corps met Russians at Sov Fourth Army HQ delivered letter from CG Eight Army addressed to Tolbukhin and discussed withdrawal Russ forces from Styria. Russ Commander said he had not reed any orders to withdraw and until such time he would maintain his position. USS[R] Com also asked what Brit intended to do with White Russ Corps now in Brit occupied zone to which Brit officer replied he had no knowledge of its existence. July 2 Brit officer CG Five Corps again met Russ and reed written reply addressed to CG Eight Army saying latter’s letter would be delivered promptly to Sov CinC Central Army group Marshal Koniev; that until receipt orders from CinC Russ Forces in Styria could not be withdrawn. Note was cordial in tone.
- Not printed.↩