865.014/12–1547

The Austrian Foreign Minister ( Gruber ) to the Secretary of State

Dear Mr. Secretary of State: Referring to my conversation of 3rd December83 in which I drew your attention to the question of the South Tyrol I beg to explain more precisely the present state of affairs as follows:

The Provisions concerning the South Tyrol which were agreed in Paris and which, while being negotiated, were supported and approved by the Governments of the Western Powers consist of several parts. So far it has been possible to settle satisfactorily a number of items by bi-lateral negotiations. The only question still open is that of the autonomy for the German-speaking population of the South Tyrol. The Austrian Government still prefers to settle this question by direct negotiations with the Italian Government or, to pave a way [Page 1227] to an understanding between the people of the South Tyrol themselves and the Italian Government. This however pre-supposes that the Italian Government should refrain from imposing an “octroi”, i.e. from enforcing by unilateral action provisions not acceptable to the population concerned. A suitable hint from the American side expressing its hope that a solution by agreement would also be found in this matter would undoubtedly help to prevent such an “octroi”. I need not emphasize that any mention of Austria having made such a request would, at this stage, hardly serve the cause, considering—as has been emphasized already—that bi-lateral negotiations ought to be continued.

I should like to stress again that it is our earnest desire—not least in the interest of the unhampered execution of the European Reconstruction Plan84—to establish the best relations with our neighbour Italy. If the American Government would support us in the above-mentioned way it may be confidently expected that this aim will be reached.

I remain, [etc.]

Sincerely yours,

Gruber
  1. See the memorandum of conversation by the Secretary of State, p. 744.
  2. For documentation regarding the interest of the United States in a European Recovery Plan, see volume iii , The political and economic crisis in Europe and the United States response (The Marshall Plan).