663.001/11–651: Telegram
The United States High Commissioner for Austria (Donnelly) to the Acting Secretary of State 1
1640. Info transmitted in Deptel 1144, Nov 3 (Paris 2661, rptd London, Moscow, and Frankfort2) that Dept wld not make formal reply to Aust note of Oct 31 until tripartite agreement reached on tactics, was communicated to Gruber, who expressed satisfaction at course proposed and agree with desirability of firming up Brit and French views before taking further public action.
It is Leg’s impression that Gruber has not intended to be obstacle in obtaining agreement on treaty tactics, but has, if anything, tried to facilitate acceptability of abbreviated text by Brit and French. Gruber strongly supports idea of positive approach and wasting no further time going through motions of session limited to consideration of articles of old draft so often discussed in past. He does not, however, believe that we can convincingly present abbreviated text [Page 1169] as alternative to Sov intransigency unless we go through formality of inviting Sov consideration of text which has been subject of discussion. It is our understanding that as soon as it appears that Sovs once again refuse to conclude treaty or wld do so only on our terms, Gruber wld welcome vigorous move on our part, either presentation of abbreviated text then and there or recess of session to enable West Govts to present abbreviated text through diplomatic channels Moscow. Gruber’s main preoccupation remains that of securing removal of Sov troops, and occasionally his ideas are unrealistic on this score, but he has appeared to welcome draft of abbreviated text itself with much interest.
Subject discussed again on Nov 5, when Gruber rptd his agreement foregoing line. He states that he wld wish to revert to matter later in week after opportunity to confer again with Figl and Schaerf. In view London’s 2081 to Dept Oct 30 (rptd Vienna 98, Paris 875, Moscow 38, Frankfort 2803), we consider that very little difference of opinion exists with Brit, but told Gruber we wld welcome any assistance he might be able to give in obtaining French concurrence.
- Repeated to London, Paris, Moscow, and Frankfurt for Reber.↩
- Supra.↩
- Telegram 2081 informed the Department of State that the British Foreign Office, in a briefing paper presented to Eden, recommended that if agreement on the old draft of the Austrian Treaty could not be reached, then the British should associate themselves with the United States in submitting the short treaty along the lines prepared by the Department of State. (663.001/10–3051)↩