124.633/12–651: Telegram
The Deputy United States High Commissioner for Austria ( Dowling) to the Secretary of State 1
priority
1956. 1. This joint Embassy–ECA msg in interim reply Deptel 1393, rptd info Paris 32972 and in supplementation Torep 1058, rptd Toeca 9053 and Embtel 1912.4
2. MacCormac article5 a regrettable misinterpretation which was necessary to correct with immed press release transmitted Toeca 905. No policy or operating differences exist here as purported by MacCormac. Rather, ECA Mission and Embassy have developed close work relations and unified approach to major econ issues in Aust.
[Page 1086][Here follow several paragraphs dealing with personnel changes in the ECA Mission necessitated by the 10 percent decrease in staff stipulated in the Mutual Security Act, Section 504D.]
6. Source of MacCormac info not definitely known but we have strong suspicions which may be able to verify within few days. Except for Kerekes, statements obtained from personnel named in article and others in process of transfer who are now in Vienna that they are either not acquainted with MacCormac or have not been consulted by him on subj of article. Moreover, most personnel in process transfer completely unacquainted with policy questions discussed by MacCormac. Kerekes presently on visit to Paris since Dec. 2 and will be queried upon return this week. Neither Meyer nor Dowling in Donnelly absence were consulted directly by MacCormac. He cld easily have ascertained facts in situation if he had done this. Statement attributed to Meyer in MacCormac article apparently added as postscript after ECA info officer learned of despatch from MacCormac, obtained Meyer reaction and passed it on to MacCormac.
7. Failure MacCormac consult responsible officials of US element characteristic his tactics past year of depending upon surreptitious sources. MacCormac has repeatedly been invited obtain his info directly from responsible leaders here but apparently his choice has been to produce sensational info however erroneous and embarrassing to US element, which cannot always publicly refute his allegations. Cases in point are his articles in Times International Edition such as of Jun 11 re US policy in extending aid to Aust; of Sept 6 re accounting investigation; and of Nov 9 on level of 1951/52 aid for Aust.6
8. Additional info will be transmitted as available. In meantime, wld appreciate info as to reaction to “dismissals” article in US.
9. Msg classified “secret” by reason references. Contents may be used by Dept and ECA/Wash however, as deemed appropriate.
- Repeated to Paris for OSR.↩
- Telegram 1393 informed the Embassy of a front-page article by John MacCormac, which appeared in the New York Times of December 3, concerning drastic personnel changes in the ECA Mission in Austria. MacCormac claimed that these changes were caused by radical policy differences between ECA and Department of State personnel and that those who advocated stricter U.S. control over Austrian aid and over Austria’s East-West trade were either fired or transferred. (124.633/12–351)↩
- Telegram Torep 1058 transmitted to ECA/W the text of a statement issued by Meyer concerning the staff reduction of the mission in Austria. Meyer’s statement cited the requirements of the Mutual Security Act as the reason for the reduction in personnel and concluded with the observation that this reduction “implies no change in policy nor direction of the work of the United States economic mission to Austria.” (ECA message files, FRC 53A278, Vienna)↩
- Not printed.↩
- Regarding MacCormac’s article of September 6, see footnote 3, Document 508; regarding his article of November 9, see telegram Ecato 682 to Vienna, Document 515.↩
- In telegram 1502 to Vienna, December 13 the Department of State informed the Embassy that there was no further mention of MacCormac’s article in the press or at Department press conferences. (124.633/12–651)↩