Office of the Historian

Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 192

No. 432
Minutes of a Meeting of the Tripartite Working Group, Berlin, February 6, 1954, 10:30 a.m.

secret
BER MIN–13
Berlin, February 6, 1954, 10:30 a.m.
  • Present
    • United States
      • Mr. MacArthur
    • United Kingdom
      • Sir Frank Roberts
    • France
      • M. Seydoux

1. Tactics for Today.

First Round. Mr. Dulles will be in the chair and M. Bidault and Mr. Eden will make brief statements emphasizing the unacceptability of Mr. Molotov’s proposal1 and the possibility of modification of the UK proposal2 within the framework of its basic principles.

Second Round. Mr. Dulles will summarize the points on which we have reached the present impasse and request the views of his [Page 975] colleagues as to what can be done. Mr. Bidault will note that the Austrians have asked to come to the Conference to discuss their item and have suggested a forty-eight hour advance notice. Without prejudicing a return to Item 2, at a later time he will suggest that the Ministers invite the Austrians on Tuesday. Mr. Eden will agree with M. Bidault’s proposal and suggest that the Chairman send a note to the Austrian Foreign Minister.

Under these circumstances the question of the type of Austrian participation is left to Mr. Molotov. If Mr. Molotov raises the question of participation we should suggest discussion on this point in the restricted session Monday. If he presses for an answer we should say that the Austrians have made it clear in their note3 that they want direct participation. If Mr. Molotov demands further clarification, we should suggest that the Austrians interpret their note when they come on Tuesday. If Mr. Molotov agrees to invite the Austrians and suggests full participation we should agree. If he suggests limited participation we should agree but reserve final decision until hearing the views of the Austrians when they are at the conference table. If Mr. Molotov requests that further time be given to Item 2 on Tuesday, we should suggest Wednesday as the day for opening the Austrian item.

A draft note to the Austrians is being prepared for the Secretary to read in the event that an invitation should be sent.

It was agreed that the meeting will be kept as short as possible today, adjourning if possible by 6:00.

2. Austria. It was pointed out that there were some substantive problems with regard to Austria which the three Ministers should consider. The U.S. and the British will be prepared by Monday to consider further outstanding differences. It was provisionally suggested that the Ministers meet on Monday at 12:00 noon, preferably with a luncheon following.

3. European Security. Sir Frank Roberts raised the question as to what should be done with regard to the second part of Item 2. It was generally agreed that this discussion of security should be held when the Ministers return to the second item.

4. Entertainment. Sir Frank noted Mr. Eden’s desire to return the invitation of Mr. Molotov by some appropriate form of entertainment. There were two possibilities: (a) Individual delegation entertainments. (This would necessitate functions on three nights next week.) (b) A joint entertainment given by the three Western Foreign Ministers. Reactions will be obtained from the Ministers.

  1. FPM(54)33, Document 514.↩
  2. FPM(54)17, Document 510.↩
  3. Presumably a reference to the Austrian note of Jan. 5, 1954, printed in Department of State Bulletin, Jan. 25, 1954, p. 111.↩