763.5/11–250: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Douglas ) to the Secretary of State

top secret

2552. Deptel 1850, October 11, repeated Paris 1861, Vienna 668 and Embtels 2190, October 13 and 2324, October 23.1

1.
Following text aide-mémoire re Austrian security forces which Gainer2 handed Embassy officer this morning:

  • “(A) His Majesty’s Government confirm their desire to make such preparations as are necessary to ensure that Austria armed forces are equipped with minimum delay after ratification of treaty. They consider, however, that in making these preparations three governments should bear in mind special need for security precautions in country where Russians are in part occupation.
  • (B) His Majesty’s Government note that:
    (I)
    They will undertake equipping of Austrian Air Force. They may, however, ask United States Government to provide Harvards for advanced training since they are short this type aircraft.
    (II)
    Horsching air base will be made available to Austrian Air Force on formation.
    (III)
    United States Government will provide “common user” material. Air Ministry representatives will discuss details this question with United States military authorities in Washington.
    (IV)
    United States Government will be responsible for equipping Austrian Army.
  • (C) In spite of American request that military assistance to Austria should be on grant basis, His Majesty’s Government are unable to modify view expressed by their representative at tripartite talks. They do not at present foresee provision of military assistance without repayment to countries outside NATO but would be prepared to reconsider financial aspect of equipping Austrian Air Force were Austria to become associated with that organization at later date.
  • (D) His Majesty’s Government agree that general plan for equipping Austrian Armed Forces should be presented to Austrians and that latter should be pressed to overcome any party differences and to agree to it with least possible delay. They consider however that representatives in Austria of three western allies should not confide in Austrian Cabinet as such, but that plans should be communicated in greatest secrecy to Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Minister Foreign Affairs3 only.
  • (E) His Majesty’s Government agree that necessary gendarmerie reserves should be built up and trained, but emphasize that greatest [Page 498] care should be taken to avoid doing this conspicuously in west zones in case Russians require a proportional increase in gendarmerie force in their own zone.
  • (F) His Majesty’s Government consider that from security point of view it would be highly improper for Austrians to be asked covertly to plan for provision of funds for recruitment, training, control, pay, et cetera. In other words Austrians should not be made cognizant of our plans at Departmental level since such procedure would render leakage to Russians almost inevitable.”

2.
In reply Gainer’s request for comment, Embassy officer expressed disappointment that UK still unwilling to furnish equipment on grant basis and at narrow interpretation British place on obligations NAT members, citing in this connection factors outlined paragraph 7 (c) final tripartite report. Gainer said that at Foreign Office request, Treasury had reviewed grant question at length but was still of opinion that UK could not undertake sterling obligations in Austria. He trusted, however, that this condition would not delay implementation of plan. Embassy officer replied that he could give no assurance on point and indicated that United States Government would probably wish to give further consideration question of assignment responsibility for air force in light British attitude.
3.
Gainer stated that subject to reservations contained therein aide-mémoire should be regarded as formal British acceptance tripartite report and recommendation.
4.
Gainer stressed need for utmost discretion in technical discussions with Austrian re-implementation of plan, and reiterated earlier suggestions that Austrian representatives be “well-screened” and that talks should be held US military headquarters in US occupation zone. He also proposed that any detailed consideration of necessary Austrian legislation should take place there. Embassy officer agreed to request Department’s views on these suggestions on urgent basis.
5.
Gainer said French Embassy representative had not mentioned points Quai d’Orsay had raised with Paris Embassy when he was given copy aide-mémoire yesterday afternoon (Paris 2338, October 30 repeated London 564, Vienna 644). In Gainer’s opinion question of legality agreement entered into by Figl, Gruber and Schaerf was matter for Austrian Government itself to determine, while question concealment stockpiled equipment was technical detail which could be worked out at later stage.
6.
At conclusion discussion Gainer expressed hope that it would be possible to agree on instructions to HICOM with minimum delay since British as desirous as we are to proceed with implementation of plan.

Sent Department 2552; repeated info Paris 775, Vienna 70.

Douglas
  1. Telegram 1850, supra; telegram 2190, not printed, but see footnote 7, supra; telegram 2324, not printed.
  2. Sir Donald St. Clair Gainer, Joint Permanent Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (German Section), British Foreign Office.
  3. Dr. Leopold Figl, Dr. Adolph Schaerf, and Dr. Karl Gruber.
  4. Not printed; it reported that the French Government had not yet approved the tripartite final report and that the French Foreign Ministry advanced the following reasons as considerations for the delay: (a) question of Austrian security, (b) “question of whether agreements entered into only by Figl, Gruber and Schaerf ‘as individuals’ would be sufficiently official,” and (c) question of concealing stockpiling for the future army. (763.5/10–3050)