740.00119 Control (Austria)/4–2245: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Kennan) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 22—4:30 p.m.]
1308. Have today addressed letter to Vyshinski along the lines of Department’s 907, April 19, 1 a.m. concerning occupation of Vienna.
I would be personally inclined to question the advisability of our representatives proceeding to Vienna before general agreement has been reached on the airport question and before we can be sure that they will be received and treated in a manner entirely consistent with the dignity of their position. If we are later to participate successfully in a joint occupation, I think it important that the local prestige of our representatives not be compromised in advance by their being dependent on the favor of the Russian commander for all facilities, particularly entrance and egress for themselves and their staffs and freedom of movement in the Vienna area, during the initial period.
I must also invite attention to the possible effect on the future value of EAC as a channel for working out such tripartite settlements if the Russians are permitted, without remonstrance on our part, to remove these discussions from that body to a place where they feel themselves in effective control and in a position to back up their views by various forms of local pressure.
Repeated to AmPolAd Caserta as 60.