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

863.105/6–949: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Austria (Keyes) to the Department of the Army

top secret
priority

Vienna, June 9, 1949.

P 3459. From USFA sgd Keyes to JCS pass to State from PAGCT. Reference is made to P 3175.¹

1. Austrian plan for gendarmerie regiment has been received by US, British and French elements and found generally acceptable. Plan has been returned to Austrian Ministry of Interior with suggestions to insure that regiment provides means of training cadre for Austrian army in accordance with basic concept as well as a unit capable of operations in the event of disorder. Ministry of Interior has been advised that we must obtain specific approval of 3 governments before any equipment can be issued but that gendarmerie should be prepared to form one company in each of 3 zones at any time after 1 July 49. Ministry has been advised further that flow of equipment will depend largely on ability of two major political parties to reach agreement on a satisfactory plan for future Austrian army.

2. I have confirmed statements made to Ministry of Interior (paragraph 1 above) in conference with Austrian Federal Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.

3. Authority is requested to proceed with issue of equipment authorized in WX 83786² at my discretion. It is contemplated that initially only small arms, unarmored vehicles and appropriate equipment will be issued. Other types will be issued progressively in accordance with developments in the local situation as agreed among the 3 Western High Commissioners for Austria as well as progress of Austrian arms plan (paragraph 1 above). It is considered from local viewpoint that progressive implementation of plan as outlined above will not influence adversely negotiations in CFM on Austrian question.³

4. British and French High Commissioners, Austrian Federal Chancellor and Vice Chancellor concur in above. British and French state they are forwarding similar recommendations to London and Paris.⁴

[

Keyes

]

1. Not printed, but see footnote 2 to telegram 299, supra.
2. Not printed, but see footnote 1 to telegram P 3015, February 12, p. 1239.
3. In telegram WAR 90083, June 13, to Vienna, not printed, the Department of the Army granted Keyes the authority to issue the equipment and reported that the Department of State also approved his plan (Department of Defense files).
4. On June 14, the Department of State cabled London and Paris, reviewing the course of the developments with respect to the Austrian Gendarmerie, and requesting that representations be made to the British and French for support in obtaining the agreement of the Austrian coalition partners on a satisfactory plan for the future Austrian Army (Telegram 2032, June 14, to London, repeated to Paris as 2080, 863.105/6–1449).