Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Council of Foreign Ministers; Germany and Austria, Volume III

740.00119 Council/2–2349: Telegram

The United States Deputy for Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Reber) to the Secretary of State

secret

London, February 24, 1949—6 p.m.

681. Delaus 31. From Reber. Although Bebler statement reported in Delaus 30¹ was conciliatory in tone in comparison with previous declarations and evidently intended to give public impression Yugoslavs desire compromise, his insistence upon acceptance in principle of four points is tantamount to repetition last year’s insistence on territorial changes and reparations but adds two new requirements of autonomy and guarantee of minority rights. He implied that extent of territorial claims and amount of reparations may be reduced in light of satisfaction achieved in other respects. I understand full copies Bebler’s statement have been issued to press as well as text of his speech to Foreign Correspondents Association today which I understand follows same general lines.

It is noteworthy that throughout today’s discussions Zarubin took no part and asked no questions. It was clear that he is desirous of avoiding any discussion prior to hearing Austrian reply² for purpose of placing responsibility of negotiations upon Yugoslavia, Austria and Western powers. In this connection it should not be overlooked that Communist press in Vienna is endeavoring to place Austria in position of refusing or accepting compromise based on new Yugoslav demands.

I am approaching British and French colleagues tonight or tomorrow with view to planning future tactics as I understand their position is similar to ours outlined in Ausdel 14.³

Sent Department; repeated Vienna 34, Belgrade 15.

[

Reber

]

1. Not printed; it reported on the 122nd meeting of the Deputies for Austria, February 24, at which Bebler stated that his Government was ready to study or submit a compromise based on frontier rectifications, autonomy for that part of Slovenian Carinthia remaining in Austria, reparations, and a guarantee of minority rights for Austrian Croats and Slovenes outside the autonomous area. (740.00119 Council/2–2449) In the previous eleven meetings the Deputies had completed the first review of the unagreed articles and decided to hear representatives of Austria and Yugoslavia.
2. At the 123rd meeting of the Deputies Gruber rejected the four points of the Yugoslav compromise, but stated that his Government was willing to have written into the treaty a declaration of the minority rights for all the inhabitants of Austria. (Delaus 32, February 28, from London, not printed, 740.00119 Council/2–2849) At the 124th meeting both Bebler and Gruber reiterated their positions.
3. Supra.