740.00119 Control (Austria)/7–2048: Telegram
The Minister in Austria (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State
928. Question of probability Soviet blockade of Vienna was discussed in our 923 July 20.1 Present message deals with possible pretexts and countermeasures as required by Deptel 641, July 17.2 Refer also USFA telegram to JCS P–2155, July 20.3
Soviets in Austria have wide choice of pretexts for partition, all of which, however, would lack plausibility and propaganda appeal “of arguments in Soviet note of July 14 on Germany. Among such pretexts might be following which are also in line with recent themes of Soviet propaganda here:
- (a)
- Allegation that ERP agreement of July 2 violates control agreement and contravenes quadripartite agreements on separation Austria from Germany;
- (b)
- Allegation of warmongering and anti-Soviet military preparations (largely by DP’s) in west Austria;
- (c)
- Allegation of espionage against Soviet occupation forces by west intelligence, possibly coupled with charge that such activities conducted through Austrian Government agencies.
Other allegations might concern repatriation of DP’s extradition of war criminals, air activities, denazification, arming of police in British zone, discrimination against Soviet zone in coal and electricity allocations.
Of above arguments only the first appears at all likely although several might be combined. None could of course justify violation of Moscow declaration and abrogation of EAC agreement July 19454 and control agreement June 1946. Countermeasures against blockade or partition would have to take place on governmental level or by way of retaliatory action elsewhere since our position in Vienna permits of no more effective opposition to Soviet encroachments than that offered in Berlin.