740.00119 Control (Austria)/6–3048: Telegram
The Minister in Austria (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State
831. From Keyes and Erhardt. In spite of occasional wavering of British and French representatives here, particularly latter, we consider there will be little difficulty in maintaining united front on vital issues among three western elements in Vienna. Reference Deptel 563, [Page 1427] June 25 (received June 281). Recent example of solidarity is stand on Marek case taken by three Western High Commissioners in AC June 25. General Keyes’ strong statement had been discussed in advance with Galloway and Béthouart. Some differences of approach do inevitably occur, as for instance British willingness and our refusal to permit Soviet inspection of military trains proceeding along authorized corridors, but these differences do not affect basic policy. In this connection General Keyes denies claim by Dean (London’s 2779, June 242) that he was “more or less in agreement” with recent démarche made by British to Gruber.3 Legation believes this démarche originated with Foreign Office rather than with British representative here. Problem therefore in our opinion lies in inducing London and Paris to support consistently and firmly policy laid down in first paragraph Deptel 563.
We have advised Gruber along lines of concluding paragraph Deptel 563. We fully concur that Austrians should ascertain extent of western support before laying down broad lines of strategy and should consult with western representatives at every stage of developments. This is their present practice. We are sure Department will agree however that this practice cannot, without resulting in many cases in dangerous delay, be carried to point of obtaining advance agreement of each of three western governments before reacting to individual instances of Soviet pressure.
Sent Department 831, repeated London as 181, Paris as 90. [Keyes and Erhardt.]