Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

740.00119 Control (Austria)/8–846: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith)

secret
u.s. urgent

Washington, August 8, 1946—8 p.m.

1453. Brit aide-mémoire⁴² requests that US join Brit Ambassador⁴³ in requesting Soviet FonOff to issue appropriate instructions to High Commissioner Austria to consider proposal for AC report on denazification. Brit proposal originally made July 26 meeting AC⁴⁴ but no action taken in light of failure of Soviet High Commissioner to receive appropriate instructions.

Sec State in personal message to Gen Clark July 25⁴⁵ recommended appointment of four power committee with assistance of Austrian Govt to investigate progress of denazification and report to CFM. Clark authorized at that time to accept Brit proposal if he considered it desirable. Brit envisages issuance majority and minority reports in event failure AC to agree on report on progress of denazification. Dept considers that such action is most undesirable and would perpetuate difficulties now encountered in discussion of Austrian question on four power basis.

Further instructions have been sent Gen Clark to support Brit proposal in AC meeting Aug 9. Dept considers that all possible support should be given to Brit proposal but that formal association in joint demarche to Soviet FonOff is not desirable at this time.

Sent to Moscow as 1453; repeated to Vienna as 740.

Acheson

42. Dated August 6, not printed.
43. Frank K. Roberts.
44. The minutes of this meeting are filed under ALCO/M (46)27.
45. See telegram 691, July 25, supra.