501.AA/7–2647: Telegram
The Minister in Austria (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State
652. British representatives here acting on instructions from London have this week conveyed to Austrian Foreign Office British reaction to Austrian application for admission to UN. According to British their remarks were in following sense.
Begin summary. Unfortunate and regrettable that Austria’s application was submitted on US advice without prior consultation with British. British earnestly desire see Austria admitted to UN at earliest appropriate moment but feel admission prior to conclusion treaty would require straining apparent meaning of Article II paragraph one and Article IV paragraph one of UN Charter. Also in Moscow discussions on Austrian treaty, agreement was reached on statement in preamble that four powers will be able support Austria’s application after treaty concluded (implying that unable sooner).
Austria’s application places British in difficult position because they do not wish to oppose it and also do not wish to support it since that would give countries such as Spain opportunity to argue British were basing their position on political consideration rather than terms of charter.
Australia also regrets premature Austrian application fearing admission might serve as precedent for early admission Japan.
In view [of] foregoing, British plan on Austrian application is to vote for admission if Soviets do not oppose it but to refrain from voting if Soviets do oppose it. This plan, however, might be modified if US should advance new reasons for immediate admission of Austria. End summary.