740.00119 Council/2–2748: Telegram
The United States Deputy for Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Reber) to the Secretary of State
771. Delsec 1588. From Reber to Lovett. In discussion with General Keyes and Erhardt before their departure for Vienna, we agreed that conclusion of an acceptable Austrian treaty at this time would be desirable from a political and economic point of view insofar as Austria is concerned, and would not involve any risk concerning implementation of ERP in Austria. On the other hand, serious question was raised whether conclusion of treaty at this time is desirable from a strategic viewpoint. General Keyes points out that withdrawal of troops would involve surrender of strategic advantages to US. Presence of occupation forces in Austria keeps intact an unbroken front from Italy through Austria and Germany to the North Sea. Secondly, presence of troops prevents overt acts of aggression against Austria.
Information obtained in meetings of deputies to date does not permit an exact analysis of Soviet objectives in submitting proposals on German assets or an evaluation of the full impact of Soviet remarks [Page 1469] on Austrian economic and political independence. Discussions have progressed, however, to a point where negotiation of specific points in Soviet proposal will soon take place. I consider it essential that our position be fully agreed prior to a major development in the London negotiations. Furthermore, the strategic question involves entire approach to Austrian treaty as established in February 6 memo1 which serves as our basic instruction.
We did not conclude that efforts to obtain an Austrian treaty should he abandoned, but suggest that a decision on the strategic considerations involved should be made in Washington where relationship of the Austrian situation to our overall strategic interests in Europe and to the recent developments in Czechoslovakia2 can be adequately weighed. Could this aspect of the problem be given appropriate consideration in Washington? I would appreciate an early reply.
Sent Department 771; repeated Vienna for Keyes and Erhardt 13.