No. 843
Editorial Note
On January 12, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France sent a joint note to the Soviet Government calling its attention to the United Nations General Assembly resolution of December 20, 1952, and announcing their intention to call a meeting of the Austrian Deputies in London at an early date. Two days later, invitations were issued for a meeting of the Austrian Deputies in London on January 30. In reply to the tripartite note of January 12, the Soviet Union sent a note to the United States Embassy in Moscow on January 27 stating that its attendance at the proposed Deputies meeting was conditional upon the withdrawal of the Western proposal for an abbreviated treaty.
The Governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and France sent a joint response to the Soviet Government on January 29 stating that it was not appropriate to impose prior conditions on the proposed Deputies meetings and reemphasizing their willingness to discuss all matters relevant to the speedy conclusion of a treaty. It also repeated the invitation to meet in London on January 30, or on February 6, if the Soviet Government preferred the later date. On February 3, the Soviet Treaty Deputy sent a letter to the Secretary General of the Council of Foreign Ministers stating that he would participate in the meeting in London on February 6 with the understanding that the abbreviated treaty was not on the agenda.
For the tripartite note of January 12, see Department of State Bulletin, January 26, 1953, page 135; for the Soviet note of January 27 and the tripartite note of January 29, see ibid., February 16, 1953, pages 259–261. Documentation concerning the drafting of the tripartite notes is in file 663.001.