740.00119 Control (Austria)/7–1545: Telegram
No. 284
The Political Adviser for
Austrian Affairs (Erhardt) to the Acting Secretary of
State
113. General Clark left for Brazil yesterday and returns July 26. British and French commanders have agreed with him that in his [Page 356] absence the deputy commanders should confer with Soviet officers in Vienna to settle details for taking over national sectors. Based on experience gained from Berlin entry it is felt that organization of HQ and movement of garrisons should be carefully planned and executed only after complete agreement with Soviet officers. Discussions will be purely military and no political advisers will be present. Assuming that agreements on zones and control machinery will be ratified by July 26 it is hoped that US, British and French CinC, accompanied by their political advisers, will enter Vienna soon thereafter and remain there permanently.
British courier returned July 13 from Koniev’s HQ reporting US, British, French deputy commanders would be received 3 p.m., July 16. However, it was specified all three parties must proceed Vienna via Judenburg. Since it is important to US, French parties to travel via Linz not Judenburg, Pettigrew in Moscow has been requested to arrange for their taking that route July 16.
See General Clark’s cable to AGWar for JCS July 12, ref Sgs 610.1
- Not printed.↩