740.00119 Council/4–1448: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Legation in Austria

top secret

348. For the High Commissioner. Dept has received from BritEmb aide-mémoire 1 concerning plans for equipment Austria’s armed forces and referring to USDel conversations in London on this subject (London’s 72974 Mar 18 from USMA and DelSecs 1635, 1640).2 Proposing to concert plans with US, Brit suggest they equip from RAF surplus stocks future Austrian air force and train its personnel in UK while US might provide equipment for Austrian army. aide-mémoire states it was agreed in London conversations small efficient striking [Page 1363] force would best serve Austria’s needs and as step towards organization of such a force there should be established efficient and adequately equipped gendarmerie in Western zones which might eventually be extended to Eastern zone. Brit are concerned particularly about threat along Carinthian frontier and from armed factory guards in Eastern zone, and consider desirable as initial measure formation of reserve battalion gendarmerie. Brit desire following:

1.
Instruction to Brit and US High Commissioners to consider jointly question of forming battalion of gendarmerie and to transmit detailed specifications to London and Washington with view to approval by US and Brit Govts of allocations of equipment.
2.
Views of US Govt on plans and common action in dealing with problem of equipment Austrian army proper.
3.
Possible consideration of this problem by JCS.
4.
Early decision on matter of Austrian air force.

Mémoire does not indicate: (a) Timing in implementation of these several proposals; (b) whether formation of gendarmerie should take place outside purview of Allied Council, and (c) how these plans might be affected in event of failure to conclude a treaty in near future.

Aide-mémoire is being referred to Dept Army for its views.

Sent Vienna as 348; rptd London as 1326, Ausdel 17.

Lovett
  1. Not printed.
  2. 72974, supra, Delsec 1635, p. 1358, Delsec 1640, not printed.