No. 594

763.5/1–451: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

top secret

3715. Dept plsd Brit agreement proposed instr re Aust army to West Hi Commissioners. Does London’s 3649 Dec 292 mean that UK has already issued directive Brit HICOM Vienna without awaiting Fr concurrence? Dept most anxious to proceed but has been reluctant issue directive until tripartite agreement obtained.

US funding obligations to date total in excess 70 million dols and program rapidly reaching stage which wld assure availability necessary requirements to warrant conclusion Aust Treaty with time guarantees provided thereunder for ratification, etc.3 US has been pressing for Fr agreement for more than a year and Fr have had since last Aug to consider program worked out at tripartite talks Wash.4 As already pointed out by Dowling consider Fr objections lack merit (Paris’ 3786 Jan 4).5 Under these circumstances and in light Brit agreement Dept feeling is that Fr shld be willing go along in interest tripartite unity. As previously stressed this govt and presumably also Brit fully conscious risks Sov reaction but consider overriding risk loss Aus due unpreparedness consequence failure West render required assistance.

Settlement Aust problem considered essential item in 4-power talks and contemplate proposal in regard thereto at tripartite conversations which must necessarily precede talks with Sovs. Since West Powers cld not agree withdrawal troops Austria in absence Aust force in being capable assuring internal security, it is imperative phasing implementation program get under way without further delay. Request therefore matter be discussed high Fr Govt level with view obtaining early Fr concurrence dispatch instr West HICOMs. If Fr unwilling send instr agreed form to Fr HICOM request Fr indicate no objection US and Brit dispatch instr in form [Page 1190] already agreed and that Fr HICOM be instrd cooperate in West program.

Acheson
  1. Drafted by Edgar P. Allen of the Office of Western European Affairs and cleared by Williamson, Jessup, and Bray. Repeated to London and Vienna.
  2. Not printed.
  3. The Department of State approved a total allocation of $71,053,530 in the MDA stockpiling program for an Austrian army. (Memorandum, January 12, 763.5/1–1251)
  4. For documentation concerning the tripartite talks in Washington in August 1950, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. iv, pp. 479 ff.
  5. Supra.