740.00119 Control (Austria)/6–2348: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Austria
562. For Erhardt and Keyes. Circumstances of Marek’s arrest (urtels 787, June 19, 791 and 792, June 21, 802, June 22, and P–1998, June 211) and nature of Austrian protest on Migsch. case (P–2013, June 232) make necessary strongest support in AC of Austrian position and condemnation of Soviet practices as contrary to all existing international agreements. This support should take into account entire general pattern of Soviet activities analyzed in your despatch 256, June 42 and center on unilateral threat to Austrian Govt in recent Soviet arrests in order to prevent Soviet’s concentrating on any particular ministry. In formulating policy in future, Dept would appreciate clarification whether action taken in AC March 18 on notifying Austrian Govt of arrests constitutes tacit recognition of Soviet right to make arrests.3
- None printed. Marek, a high-ranking Austrian political police official, was arrested by Soviet authorities on June 17 because of alleged involvement in anti-Soviet espionage activities.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Legation Vienna replied in telegram 828, June 29, not printed (740.00119 Control (Austria)/6–2948), that the right of any of the four powers to make arrests, when the security of its forces was threatened, had never been questioned.↩