Office of the Historian

863.01/6–145: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, June 1, 1945—10 p.m.
[Received June 2—12:15 a.m.]

1852. I have received a reply dated May 30 from Vyshinski to our note setting forth the American position regarding developments in Austria based on Dept’s 1035, May 8, 7 p.m. repeated AusPolAd Florence for Erhardt as 1). Substance of Vyshinsk’s letter follows:

1.
Soviet Govt has noted that American Govt fully appreciates necessity for local administration in areas occupied by Red Army as in areas occupied by American troops and that American Govt is prepared to discuss question of Provisional Austrian Govt when Allied Commission begins to function in period of joint control.
2.
With reference to dispatch of American representatives to Vienna Vyshinski states that this question was settled in correspondence between heads of Soviet and American Govts ending with Stalin’s message of May 18. Soviet Govt has no objection to dispatch of American representatives to Vienna to acquaint themselves on the spot with condition of city and to prepare proposals for EAC concerning zones of occupation in city. Vyshinski suggests that American Rep arrive at Vienna at end of May or beginning of June when Marshal Tolbukhin has returned to Vienna. Tolbukhin is now in Moscow.
3.
Vyshinski declares that statement in our note to effect that US Govt could not agree that all five airports in Vienna area should be at disposal of Soviet Command is evidently result of a misunderstanding [Page 126] since there are no airdromes within Vienna city limits. There can be no question with respect to airdromes outside city limits and therefore within Soviet zone of occupation particularly as Soviet Govt has made no claim to airports in American zone in Austria. To meet wishes of US Govt, however, Soviet Govt agrees to place at disposal of Allies airdrome outside city limits at Tulln 20 kilometers from center of Vienna. Soviet representative on EAC has already made a communication on this subject. Tulln airport is completely equipped and can handle all types of airplanes. Soviet Govt accordingly considers that question raised by US Govt concerning airports is settled.
4.
Soviet Govt has already stated that in its opinion most suitable and correct definition of Vienna city limits is area which was fixed by Austrian authorities and existed up to Nazi occupation of Austria, and not area of greater Vienna which was imposed upon Austria by German occupants.
5.
Vyshinski refuses to admit contradiction between statements made in his letters of May 6 and April 25 asserting that when speaking of agreement of Soviet Govt to dispatch of American representatives to Vienna he meant in both cases that the zones should first be delimited by EAC.
6.
Vyshinski characterizes as completely arbitrary and unconvincing any suggestion that Soviet Govt desired to delay completion of the agreements.
Harriman