Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 Control (Austria)/10–2345: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser for Austrian Affairs (Erhardt)

Washington, November 2, 1945—8 p.m.

235. You are requested to bring following to attention of General Clark for action in Allied Council:

As a consequence of recognition of Provisional Austrian Govt Dept recommends that a system of representation be established whereby Provisional Austrian Govt may deal directly under control and supervision of Allied Council with Govts of occupying powers and neighboring states on such matters which do not affect supreme authority of Allied Council in Austria. Dept considers that such action is desirable at the present time in view of forthcoming elections and number of problems which will arise in international relations of Austrian State which do not necessarily require immediate jurisdiction of Allied Council.

In recommending establishment of representation, Dept considers that any formula adopted by Allied Council must be based on fact of supreme authority of Council in Austria and that control and supervision of policies adopted in Austrian foreign relations should be reserved to Council under terms of resolution of Oct 1 and Council’s communication to Dr. Renner of Oct 20 (PV 8396 Oct 21).⁸¹ Representation, therefore, should take form of exchanging representatives or agents until such time that Council relinquishes its supreme authority and transfers its sovereign rights to a freely elected Austrian Govt.

Dept considers that establishment of formal diplomatic relations with occupying powers and neighboring states (urtels 376 Oct 23⁸² and 394 Oct 26), marked by exchange of Ambassadors, is not wholly consistent with agreed position of Allied Council and its desirability is doubtful as long as Austria remains under supreme authority of Council. Representatives of occupying powers could also serve as political advisers as provided in Article 2 in Agreement on Control Machinery.⁸³

Erhardt will be designated as US political representative to Provisional Austrian Govt with personal rank of Minister to serve simultaneously as political adviser to US member of Allied Council. US is willing to receive agent or representative of Provisional Austrian Govt in Washington to carry out consular duties and to facilitate trade and economic relations or any other matter not falling exclusively under jurisdiction of Allied Council. You may so inform Renner at such time as you deem advisable.

Byrnes

81. Not printed, but see footnote 66, p. 636.
82. See footnote 71, p. 638.
83. See Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. i, p. 351.