740.0019 Council/4–2749: Telegram
The United States Deputy for Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Reber) to the Secretary of State
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1619. Delaus 101. From Reber. Zarubin’s tactics since resumption of discussions indicate clearly that Soviet Union is not disposed at this stage to make any effort to reach agreement on Austrian treaty. It seems likely that with improved prospects CFM meeting next month1 [Page 1091] (cf. press announcements—April 27) Soviet Union may prefer resolution principal outstanding issues by Foreign Ministers and that Zarubin is at present merely stalling for time.
As my British and French colleagues like myself are without instructions as to tactics to follow in event CFM meeting is to be held in relatively near future, we today agreed to seek early clarification from our respective governments. If agreed announcement of a CFM is made at approximately same time we complete review of outstanding issues it would seem useless to continue deputies meetings if there is any possibility that Austrian problems will be included in agenda CFM as seems desirable in view of present stalemate here. As Department is aware Gruber has long felt Soviet Union unwilling to permit settlement basic Austrian issues by deputies and that progress can only be made at governmental or ministerial level in conjunction with consideration of larger issues. In my opinion recent events confirm his belief.
Therefore if CFM seems likely within next few weeks I recommend that at close of our present review which might be ended this week we be authorized to make our report to our respective ministers and await their consideration of main points now in dispute as regards Austria, namely frontiers, reparations and German assets. If Austrian questions are to be discussed by CFM it is hoped that they will be placed as early as possible on agenda before there is any possibility of deadlock over other issues so that some progress at least could be made with respect to Austria. If Austrian question is placed late on agenda it might be lost in disagreements over Germany and resumption work by Austrian deputies rendered more difficult.
If there is no agreement on CFM we should of course continue for time being Department’s discussions on Austria probably for a week or two longer until it has been amply demonstrated no possibility exists to make progress now.
Department’s instructions would be appreciated as soon as possible.
Sent Department 1619, repeated Vienna 94.