Office of the Historian

396.1 BE/2–1554: Telegram

No. 482
The United States Delegation at the Berlin Conference to the Embassy in Austria1

secret priority
Berlin, February 15, 1954—1 a.m.

97. 1. Separate cables2 give you comprehensive story today’s meeting on Austria and Secretary’s statements. In short West offered for this conference only and without alterations or additions all previously agreed articles, five unagreed articles with Soviet versions, article 35 with Soviet amendment allowing payment $150 million in goods and article 9 with Soviet addition since originally agreed. Molotov immediately added requirements in his February 12 proposal,3 modifying but not basically altering Trieste conditions. Figl expressed readiness accept Western proposal in spite burdens.

2. West reiterated its rejection maintenance foreign troops in Austria after treaty (Soviets proposed revision article 33 to cover their point) and neutrality clause (submitted as article 4-bis using exact language February 12 proposal). West also rejected Trieste point, requirement that German peace treaty be achieved before troop withdrawal and Soviet objections EDC and US bases.

Figl asked by Molotov for views and held to line that Austrian people ready only accept 1949 draft treaty, retention troops not restoration independence and his instructions do not permit him going further than 1949 draft. Meeting closed with inference that Figl would take opportunity obtain instructions re Soviet proposals before next session on Austria, probably Tuesday.

3. After meeting tripartite agreement reached on following:

(a)
At dinner tonight Bidault will stress to Figl importance Austrian rejection Soviet proposals in spite certainty heavy Soviet pressure.
(b)
Acting High Commissioners Vienna should see Raab and Schaerf to ascertain their reactions and make sure West views clearly understood. Three High Commissioners should concert but [Page 1105] decide among themselves whether make démarche singly or together.

4. Generally agreed line most of which obvious to you is:

(a)
After ascertaining reactions, Raab restate West position on both troops and imposed neutrality: West rejects both unequivocally but equally important, he realize offer sign long draft with Soviet versions unagreed articles remains open until end of conference but only then. Hope he stands by his February 13 communiqué4 though it was slightly weak on neutrality.
(b)
We appreciate pressure he is undergoing but dangers Soviet subversion all or part Austria plain if Soviet proposals accepted.
(c)
Important instructions to Figl treat Soviet proposals as whole. Austrian acceptance article 4-bis on neutrality (least difficult for Austrians) would not result treaty since Soviet version article 33 and Trieste problem would remain in path restoration Austrian freedom and sovereignty. Moreover, important principle international policies free world would be jeopardized and there would be no guarantee Soviets would not merely pocket Austrian concession and move on to new demands.
(d)
Retention troops in Austria clearly of paramount importance to Soviets and not to be traded for other concessions. (Figl seems firm in refusing this point so far.)
(e)
Only if Raab inquires re possible alleviations in lieu of treaty should you say that we are beginning cast about for possibilities but of course can suggest nothing specific at this time. (Appreciate Vienna’s 63,5 would like Department’s thoughts and will discuss subject at tripartite working group February 15.6)

Will do our best here stiffen backs Austrian delegation but play obviously now in Vienna.

  1. Repeated to London, Paris, Moscow, and Washington. The source text is the copy in Department of State files.↩
  2. Sectos 144, 145, and 136, Documents 479 and 480 and supra.↩
  3. FPM(54)55, Document 519.↩
  4. The Embassy in Vienna transmitted a summary of this statement in telegram 2046, Feb. 13. (663.001/2–1354)↩
  5. Telegram 63 assumed that there would be no agreement on Austria at the conference and transmitted a series of suggestions looking to the gradual liberation of Austria. (663.001/2–1454)↩
  6. No record of the discussion at the Tripartite Working Group on Feb. 15 has been found in Department of State files.↩