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

740.00119 Council/12–749: Telegram

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

secret
priority

Washington, December 7, 1949—2 p.m.

Audel 222.¹ For Reber. Fol instrs transmitted in view of situation arising 241 mtg (Delau 368²) and ur evaluation of Zarubin’s present tactics. US objective remains unchanged that Aust Treaty shld be concluded at early date on best terms obtainable. Previous instrs have indicated importance of Arts 27 and 42. Problem involved in para 9 Art 42 has been resolved by proposed protocol with Aust.³ US position on Art 27 remains unchanged and securing our position is of fundamental importance.

Exact tactical moves in negots until time Zarubin’s departure shld be determined by you in agreement with Brit and Fr. In gen, pressure shld be maintained on Sovs on Arts 42, 48, 48 bis rather than Arts 16 and 27 since any concessions on latter group wld affect basic US interests as well as Fr position on DP’s. Concessions on 16 and 27 without agreement on 42, 48, and 48 bis wld not in our judgment secure conclusion of Treaty.

It is Dept’s view negots be continued until time of Zarubin’s departure. If issues Arts 42, 48 and 48 bis settled in satisfactory manner Arts 16 and 27 cld then be negotiated. If no agreement is reached prior Zarubin’s departure you shld make strong protest re delay in conclusion Treaty and utilize to fullest extent previous statements by Vishinsky and Zarubin that they desire completion of Treaty.

If Sovs propose negots be resumed at later time, you shld accept ad referendum and press for exact date. Diplomatic note wld then be sent to Moscow protesting delay and accepting a new conference. Brit and Fr wld be urged to send similar protests.

If Sovs do not propose renewal of negots, Brit Deputy may wish to propose new conference in London after appropriate interval. In Dept’s view, negots shld be resumed, after action proposed above is taken, and no opportunity shld be given to Sovs to prevent conclusion of Treaty.

Acheson

1. Repeated to London as 4370, Moscow as 893, Paris as 4701, and Vienna as 1567.
2. Not printed; in it Reber reported on the 241st meeting of the Deputies in which no progress had been made on the texts of the unagreed articles. (740.00119 Council/12–549).
3. Under reference here is a note transmitted in telegram 1647, December 2, from Vienna, not printed, in which the Austrian Government agreed to compensate U.N. nationals for any losses incurred through the transfer of property in Austria to the Soviet Union (740.00119 Council/12–249).