Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

840.811/8–148: Telegram

The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State

Belgrade, August 1, 1948.

Deldu 21. From Dustmann¹ for Michael McDermott² and Dunning. Statement of Cavendish W. Cannon, chairman, US delegation to Danube Conference, at second plenary session of conference, Kolarchev University,³ Belgrade, July 31:

The US delegation wishes to support the request of the Austrian Government that this conference agree, at this time, to full Austrian participation in all conference matters.

It is the firm view of the US that no convention regarding a regime for the Danube should be discussed in its substantive issues without the benefit of Austrian participation on the basis of equality. As mentioned by the Austrian delegation, not only is the Danube of importance to Austria, but in addition Austria is important to the river and therefore to the welfare of all the peoples along the river. It is the view of the US delegation that this conference should promptly welcome the Austrian delegation to full participation and I put forward the proposal that Austria be seated.⁴

Cannon

1. Walter H. Dustmann, Jr., press officer of the United States delegation to the conference in Belgrade, from the Office of the Special Assistant for Press Relations, Department of State.
2. Michael J. McDermott, special assistant to the Secretary of State for Press Relations.
3. The meeting place of the Danube Conference was in the Kolarchev University at Student Square. The United States delegation stayed at the Moscow and Balkan Hotels.
4. The Ambassador’s remarks were quoted in a statement on the denial of full participation to Austria released to the press on August 2, and printed in Department of State Bulletin, August 15, 1948, p. 200.