740.00119 Control (Austria)/6–645: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Rceived—8:05 p.m.]
2504. Our 2502, June 6.46 Joint Brit, French and Amer plan for reconnaissance of Vienna was submitted to Russians on evening June 4 and at 10 o’clock following morning heads of three missions had further meeting with Russians, Morosov47 being in charge.
Morosov announced Tolbukhin would receive chiefs of three missions June 10 at which time main work must be completed. Their practical work was to begin that same day and it would not be possible reconnoiter anything outside limits of city.
Question of airfields reconnaissance was raised by Winterton. Morosov stated only Tulln could be seen. Flory stated categorically [Page 127] they wanted to see all airfields given in joint reconnaissance plan for three missions. Those fields are Tulln, Aspern, Gotzendorf, Munchendorf, Setring, Deutsch Wagram, Zwolfaxing, Ebergassing. Cherriere and Winterton supported this claim. Morosov promised he would submit request to Tolbukhin and answer was expected same day. Flory refused make investigation of Tulln pending reply from Tolbukhin. Winterton supported Flory in this. Americans again asked for permission to fly in courier plane suggesting it should land at Aspern. Winterton did not participate in this suggestion. Understood this request also being submitted to Tolbukhin. Winterton has said he intends to request equal facilities for Brit if Amer request granted.
Satisfactory arrangements were made for general and technical investigations which are now in progress. Russians have not interposed any objection to meetings with burgomeister and Austrian technical officials. Members of missions do not even have to have passes. They have complete freedom of access to all installations and barracks inside city whether or not occupied by Russians. Tour of Vienna by heads of mission under guidance Morosov planned for evening June 5.
Flory made statement toward end of meeting on Amer attitude towards airfields and said his instructions were to reconnoiter Gau as well as city since it had not yet been decided whether it was city or Gau which was to be subdivided. Cherriere did same.
It seems to be apparent that Russian instructions are to set time limit on work of missions, insure it is only city Vienna and not Gau which is to be subdivided, and to try to confine three missions to use of Tulln and no other airfield.
Winterton stated he felt anxiety of Russians to fix time limit might be due to genuine desire on their part to settle matter in view of Tolbukhin’s statement re dire need of admin in Austria and his eagerness to have four powers begin their tasks. This sentiment was reiterated more than once and Tolbukhin expressed his pleasure at commencement of investigation of problems.
It is also Winterton’s opinion that by June 10 missions will have collected sufficient info provided Tolbukhin’s reply on airfield and Gau satisfactory. Winterton has asked whether he may point out to Russians in asking for more time that making of recommendations must inevitably involve discussion with his French and Amer colleagues. He has also asked for instructions on point of informing Russians that his orders are to make recommendations to SAC re areas of joint occupation.