Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 2

No. 832
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom¹

secret

Washington, October 31, 1952—4:49 p.m.

3061. Paper on position US in UNGA on Aust treaty,² concurred in by Dept of Defense, summarized below:

Principal objectives US are:

1) Help mobilize pressure of world opinion against Sov Union with view inducing it conclude treaty making possible term occupation and return to Aust Ger assets in Sov Zone;

2) Demonstrate good faith West Powers and intransigence Sov Union in Treaty negots;

3) Emphasize West support Aust Govt and interest in Aust freedom and independence.

Paper recommends that:

1) US support res along lines Braz proposal appealing to occupying power to renew their efforts reach agreement on treaty with view early term occupation;

2) US shld seek avoid adoption res calling for unconditional withdrawal troops. If such res introduced and appears command wide support US shld seek have it amended to make withdrawals simultaneous and conditional upon either (a) agreement among 4 powers upon conditions which wld permit simultaneous withdrawal all forces, or (b) relinquishment to Aust by all occupying powers of all property held or claimed as Ger assets or war booty in Aust.

In unlikely event that all efforts along above lines fail and that unamended res calling for unconditional withdrawal were to appear to command majority support US shld vote against such res even if res supported by Aust, Sov, Fr and UK since unconditional withdrawal wld have no provision for security safeguards.

3) US shld indicate its desire conclude settlement promptly on basis abbreviated treaty. USDel shld, however, avoid creating any impression abbreviated treaty is only basis on which negots may be resumed or that US unwilling give consideration provisions long draft treaty. It shld be made clear that US prepared consider any substantive Sov proposal.

4) Except under circumstances mentioned 2(b) above US shld seek avoid any provision in Gen Assembly making substantive recommendations to occupying powers re terms of treaty or evacuation. Accordingly US shld not initiate recommendation that abbreviated treaty be basis for negot but shld support such proposal if made by others.

5) US shld seek avoid adoption res calling for UN mediation or inquiry.

6) US shld not favor provision that occupying powers submit report on progress for consideration by 8th Gen Assembly or that Gen Assembly decide to include Aust question on agenda 8th session. However, US shld not oppose provision that powers report to SYG for info UN members.

7) USDel shld consult with Brit and Fr del with view maintaining uniform position all issues.

8) US shld strongly support invitation rep Aust Govt to participate without voting in comite consideration Aust question.

9) While leaving initiative to dels smaller states and Aust US shld in course of debate review efforts which West Powers have made to reach solution Aust problem pointing out concessions made and patience with which negots pursued. End position paper.

It is anticipated that discussions with Brit and Fr with view coordinating West position will take place New York. USUN has been instructed that unless question raised US plans for mtg possible contingencies such as unconditional withdrawal shld not be discussed pending further clarification Aust position. It is realized US position on unconditional withdrawal may have to be re-examined in light developments in Assembly.

Bruce

1. Source: Drafted by E. P. Allen and cleared by Baker, Williamson, Collins, and Knight. Repeated for action to Paris and for information to Vienna, Moscow, Bonn, and New York.
2. Regarding this position paper, see footnote 1, Document 830.