Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 1

396.1 BE/2–1554: Telegram

No. 479
The United States Delegation at the Berlin Conference to the Department of State¹

confidential priority

Berlin, February 15, 1954—2 p.m.

Secto 144. Department pass OSD. Following summary first part of twentieth Ministers’ meeting February 14, Molotov presiding:²

Secretary Dulles spoke first and read proposal transmitted Secto 137.³ Bidault and Eden then associated themselves with US proposal. Figl said that before speaking he would like to hear Molotov’s response to position advanced by US, UK and France.

Molotov spoke then at some length on theme that while US proposal removed number of differences between four powers there were still several to be overcome; including following:

1. Article 48 bis. Molotov said this article not agreed because it would require an agreement between Austria and Soviet Union, which should be concluded prior conclusion of treaty.

2. Trieste. After withdrawing proposal for meeting of deputies in view of agreement on disagreed articles, Molotov submitted proposal on Trieste contained in Secto 138.⁴

3. Article 35. Molotov circulated proposed revised text of paragraph 6 contained Secto 139.⁵

4. Article 4 bis. Molotov submitted proposed amendment contained Secto 140.⁶

5. Article 33. Proposed revised text transmitted Secto 141.⁷

Molotov then defended at length Soviet proposals regarding retention occupation troops in Austria after conclusion of treaty, along lines previous statements.⁸ He stressed that proposals on Articles 4 bis and 33 represent minimum Soviet requirements. He concluded by expressing hope signature of treaty would not be prevented and that Austria would understand that Soviet proposals would benefit Austria.

Figl spoke next and said that he had pointed out repeatedly that a number of treaty clauses placed heavy burden on Austria. Austria was willing to assume these but wanted in return that occupation troops be withdrawn and leave country independent. He welcomed proposal advanced by US, UK and France and said he was prepared to sign treaty in that form. With regard to new Soviet proposals, Figl said that his authorization extended only to previous draft and that he could make no statement on Articles 33 or 4 bis. He stressed however that Austrians want freedom and independence and that main criterion for independence is withdrawal of troops.

Secretary Dulles then made statement transmitted Secto 136.⁹

Bidault, in reference to Molotov’s statement that Article 48 bis required negotiation of an agreement between Austria and Soviet Union before conclusion of an Austrian treaty, said that this was not true if Soviet text were accepted. Bidault pointed out that there was no reference to Trieste in Soviet formulation of item three of agenda and emphatically declined to discuss Trieste in connection with Austria. With regard to Molotov’s new proposals for amendments to articles previously agreed, Bidault pointed out that deputies had met as recently as February 9, 1953. He said there had been no change in European situation since that time which would warrant reopening these articles. He deplored fact that after discussing the treaty for so many years and just when agreement seemed in sight, these new factors should be introduced. He wondered if this did not raise some question as to whether all of four powers were equally willing to conclude treaty.

Bidault’s statement was followed by recess.

1. Repeated to London, Paris, Bonn, Vienna, Moscow, and CINCEUR.
2. The U.S. Delegation verbatim record of the seventeenth plenary, USDEL PLEN/17, is in Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 195. The record of the second part of the meeting was transmitted in Secto 145, infra
3. For the U.S. proposal, see FPM(54)63, Document 520. Secto 137, which transmitted it, is not printed. (396.1 BE/2–1454)

4. Not printed. (396.1 BE/2–1454) This proposal, circulated as FPM(54)64, reads as follows:

   “The Conference of the Foreign Ministers of the U.S.S.R., the U.S.A., the U.K. and France would like to suggest to the Security Council that it should resume consideration of the question of implementing that part of the Italian Peace Treaty which is concerned with the Free Territory of Trieste.”

5. Not printed. (396.1 BE/2–1454) For text of this proposal, see FPM(54)67, Document 522.

6. Not printed. (396.1 BE/2–1454) This proposal, which was circulated as FPM(54) 65, reads as follows:

   “Austria undertakes not to enter into any coalition or military alliance directed against any Power which participated with its armed forces in the war against Germany and in the liberation of Austria.

   “Austria undertakes further not to permit the establishment on its territory of foreign bases, and not to permit the use of foreign military instructors and specialists in Austria.”

7. Not printed. (396.1 BE/2–1454) For this proposal, see FPM(54)66, Document 521.
8. For the Soviet proposal, see FPM(54)55, Document 519.
9. Document 481.