740.00119 Council/3–149: Telegram

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

top secret

676.1 Ausdel 19. Dept fully appreciates concern Fr Govt which has prompted desire for some type guarantee declaration.2 Same basic interest had moved us in making our original proposal in 1947 for Art 2. Also realized Aust immediately following entry into force Treaty may well experience serious dangers because of armed force not sufficiently developed to cope with internal security problem. Fail to understand Fr argument Aust security in jeopardy at that time because Aust could not receive protection as member UN. Provisions UN Charter on settlement disputes and action re threats to peace applicable to both member and non-member states with only difference relating to procedure. It is easier for members to bring a case before UN and participate in its proceedings but substantive outcome any case should not be affected by distinction between member and non-member states.

Do not believe sweeping and general commitment to maintain security OEEC countries would make useful contribution to solution this particular problem. Aust security question would tend to be lost in far-reaching implications this step, which might cause Sov adverse reaction disproportionate to any benefits derived by West for Aust from declaration prior to such time as security system Western Union has developed inherent strength. US Govt could not participate in such declaration until certain it would be fully supported in US.

We recognize advantage in tripartite action envisaged second Fr proposal but as it again would involve extensive commitment by US it would require most serious consideration here. It is therefore believed desirable to advise Fr that we wish to study this proposal carefully in light any further Fr views and future developments.

Acheson
  1. Repeated to Vienna as 180.
  2. The reference here is to the question of a guarantee for Austrian independence which had been raised by Berthelot at a meeting of the three Western Deputies February 12. In the course of the discussion the Deputies had considered two possibilities. The first was a declaration concerning the security of all OEEC countries at the time of the signature of the North Atlantic Pact, although such a declaration would have to be general to avoid the stiffening of the Soviet attitude toward Austria. The second was a tripartite declaration or announcement, to be made at the time of the final evacuation of allied troops from Austria, along the lines of President Truman’s statement of December 13, 1947, with respect to Italy, that the allies would take appropriate action to meet any threat to the independence of Austria. (740.00119 Council/2–1249)