740.00119 Control (Austria)/12–1445
The French Embassy to the Department of State
The reorganization of Allied control in Austria following the extension to the entire Austrian territory of the powers of the Vienna Government has attracted, in particular, the attention of the French Government.
The French Government believes that the representatives of the Allied Governments on the Control Council should be guided in the decisions they are going to take by a desire to grant the Austrian Government as much power and responsibility as possible, while making the reservations that are essential to the security of the occupation forces, maintenance of order in the country, and defense of the political and economic interests of the Allied Powers.
The measures to be adopted should, in the opinion of the French Government, be based on the following considerations:
The size of the occupation forces would be considerably reduced, while local police and security forces would be established progressively. Allied personnel, both civilian and military, would be reduced to a minimum.
[Page 687]The lines of demarcation between the zones would be abolished from the administrative standpoint and would cease to be anything more than the limits of the stationing of the occupation forces. Except for the duties of the commanding officers of military districts, the Allied military authorities would limit themselves to exercising, with respect to local administration, whatever control powers are delegated to them by the Allied Council.
Only important decisions would be submitted by the Austrian Government to the Allied Control Council for prior approval. Such decisions, which should include, in particular, all agreements with foreign countries, would be enumerated in a restrictive manner. The other laws and regulations adopted by the Austrian Government would be reported to the Control Council, which would reserve the right to veto them within a period to be determined. The Control Council would keep the initiative in certain cases. It could, especially with respect to denazification, demilitarization, restitutions, protection of Allied property, and decisions regarding displaced persons, give directives to the Vienna Government and supervise implementation of such directives at all levels.
The French Government considers that after the Control Council has adopted the provisions contemplated, they should enter into force in all zones simultaneously, and that application thereof would be suspended if not ensured by one of the four occupying powers.
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