763.5/11–250: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 1
2519. Embtel 2552, Nov 2. Disappointed Brit unwillingness provide equipment Aust Air Force without repayment. In light Brit position this Govt is now preparing plan and program for equipping and training initial increment Air Force, details of which will be submitted Brit and Fr at appropriate time. In meantime we consider it essential that program for Aust Army proceed in accordance tripartite plan to which there was general Brit and Fr agreement at Aug mtgs.
The Fr suggestion (Paris’ 2578 Nov 82) that Austria request AC permission make preparations for Army is believed constitute unrealistic approach. Mil activity of any kind by Austria is presently prohibited by AC decision Dec 10, 1945. It has in past been view Gruber with which we agree that it wld be a mistake to raise this question with Sovs. If Sovs shld refuse permission any further Aust activity this subj wld be most difficult and put Austria in impossible position of taking action in direct contravention expressed Sov views. Of even greater concern wld be possibility that Sovs might agree to Aust request and logically demand right to participate in supervision program thus providing Sovs excellent opportunity sabotage entire program and preclude any possibility of West gaining any advantage therefrom.
Points raised by Brit relate to admin details which in our view cld best be worked out by representatives three Powers Vienna in consultation with Aust Govt leaders to extent required. We have same concern as Brit and Fr concerning security as stressed Deptel 1850 Oct 11 but believe it involves calculated risk which West must be prepared take. If Brit or Fr have any specific changes which they feel are required in proposed tripartite instr in order to more accurately reflect their views, Dept wld be plsd consider their recommendations.
[Page 500]Wld appreciate expedition Brit and Fr concurrence in order that coordinated instrs this urgent matter may be dispatched HICOMs early date.3
- Repeated to Paris as 2620 and to Vienna as 914.↩
- Not printed.↩
- On November 21, Embassy London reported that the substance of this telegram had been conveyed to Gainer who said he would study the proposed tripartite instruction further. Telegram 2990, November 21, from London, not printed (763.5/11–2150).↩