740.00119 Control (Austria)/10–245: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Austrian Affairs (Erhardt) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received October 2—2:22 p.m.]
276. General Clark sent a message (PV–7833, Oct. 1 to Agwar) to be passed to Dept36 for info giving text of resolution approved Allied Council meeting Oct 1 recommending Govts of occupying powers agree to extension of authority of Austrian Provisional Govt throughout Austria.
[Page 622]Resolution provided that control over the ministries and depts of the Govt would be exercised through the machinery of Allied Commission. This gives Commission leverage for dealing with police or any other agency of the Govt and Council, realizing that further study of police is both desirable and urgent, decided that Executive Committee should place the matter on agenda of its next meeting. Also safeguards established by Laender Conference apparently were regarded by Council as representing substantial progress in solution of controversial police matter. McCreery, appearing satisfied by above considerations, was the one who at Council meeting moved to strike out a paragraph in the resolution originally proposed by him which would have singled out police, putting it under supervisory control of Council.
My impressions axe that the major consideration influencing all concerned at Council meeting was the acute and urgent need for a central Austrian administration.
As expected (my 246, Sept 24) General Clark today mediated successfully in reconciling Soviet and British viewpoints.