863.00/7–1249
Memorandum by the Acting Special Assistant, Office
of German and Austrian Affairs (Beam) to the
Secretary of State
secret
[Washington,] July 12,
1949.
The British Minister has presented a note to the Department1 requesting that the
United States reconsider its position with respect to the
recognition of new political parties in Austria. The U.S. High
Commissioner to date has insisted upon upholding the Allied Council
decision of September, 1945, which establishes conditions making it
impossible for new political parties to be created. Considerable
pressure has been brought not only by the British Government, but
also by the Austrian Socialist Party to obtain a change in the U.S.
position. The leader of the Austrian Socialist Party has informed
the United States Deputy on the Austrian Treaty in London that the
Socialist Party may find it necessary to challenge the elections
which will be held on October 9 unless provision can be made to
permit various groups of electors in Austria to function as
political parties in the elections.
This question has long presented a problem in the Allied Council, and
at present the United States element is supported only by the French
who have expressed a willingness to change their position at an
appropriate time to repeal the 1945 decision. The British and Soviet
elements have informed the Austrians that they will not enforce the
decision in their zones. A recommendation was sent by the Department
to General Keyes that the
Allied Council decision must either be upheld uniformly in all four
zones or be repealed.2 He chose to
insist that the Allied Council decision be upheld and in the
attached telegram P 3579 of July
113 has forcibly stated his
view that no new political parties should be created. General
Keyes further requests
that he be consulted prior to a change in policy in this matter.
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The United States position on this question is no longer tenable and
our policy should be changed to permit the unhampered activity by
political groups in Austria. The attached telegram from the
Secretary to General Keyes
comments on the need for such action and asks him to concur in the
recommendations. No reply should be made to the British memorandum
until General Keyes’
recommendations have been received.
Recommendations: It is recommended that the
attached telegram be signed.
[Annex]
Draft Telegram by the Secretary of State to the United States High
Commissioner for Austria (Keyes)4
secret
us urgent
Washington, July 12,
1949.
Personal for Gen Keyes
from the Secretary. Pls transmit fol message to Gen Keyes:
I have considered at length the problem raised by your P 3579 July 11 and various messages
from our Legation with respect to the situation affecting new
political parties in Austria. This question has now become acute
not only in terms of various pressures but also by reason of the
approaching elections and the possibility that the first draft
of the Treaty may be completed by the deadline of Sept 1 as set
by the Ministers at Paris.
I consider that our general approach to all questions in Austria
should take into account the possibility of Treaty settlement
and should be based on the objective that the maximum number of
functions now exercised by the Allied Council be transferred
progressively to the Austrian Government.5 Such action is necessary in order to create
in Austria as soon as possible the situation which will exist
after the completion of the Treaty and the subsequent
liquidation of Allied controls.
With specific reference to the forthcoming elections we should
allow maximum opportunity for the expression of the democratic
will of the Austrian people and permit political activity to
take place without interference in order that the election may
reflect the Austrian
[Page 1217]
popular will and take into account all shades of difference
existing within the present major parties. We should neither
favor nor hinder any particular party in the present coalition
but should make it abundantly clear to the leaders of both
parties that their complete cooperation and coalition is even
more necessary after the elections than it was under military
occupation in order to meet and to deal effectively with the
Communist threat and to fulfill the terms of the Treaty.
It seems to me that the situation which gave rise to the decision
of the Allied Council in 1945 concerning the formation of new
political parties no longer prevails in Austria and that we need
not fear the consequences of unlimited political activity which
were taken into account at that time. I recommend, therefore,
that you inform the leaders of the People’s Party and the
Socialist Party that the United States is prepared to agree to
the repeal of this particular decision for the reasons which
have been stated. I would appreciate receiving your
recommendations for the repeal of any other decisions of the
Allied Council still in force which limit the activities and
responsibilities of the Austrian Government.
I consider that the repeal of the 1945 decision is necessary if
we are to avoid charges of discrimination by either political
party or by other occupation powers. I do not believe that we
can effectively stop the Austrians from engaging in political
party activity under the present election law. Such action would
in itself destroy the Allied Council decision of 1945 and would
seriously weaken the authority of the Allied Council within
Austria.
Finally, I consider that the repeal of this decision would
demonstrate our confidence in the Austrian people and our belief
that the forthcoming elections will choose a government which is
dedicated to the maintenance of democratic institutions.
I hope you will reconsider our position in the light of my
comments. If you concur with my recommendations I will request
our Ambassadors in Paris and London to transmit the foregoing
recommendations to the British and French Governments for their
information.
