663.001/2–1053: Telegram
No. 848
The Chargé in the United Kingdom
(Holmes)
to the Department of State1
4418. From Dowling. Western Deputies met this morning consider report to governments. The following recommendations were agreed:
- 1.
- In accordance with agreement at conclusion yesterday’s meeting British chairman should issue invitations through Secretary-General at the end of month for Deputies meeting early March “to resume negotiations on Austrian treaty with view to its speedy conclusion.”
- 2.
- If, as is anticipated, Soviet Deputy again poses withdrawal of abbreviated treaty as condition for meeting, note to Soviet Government is envisaged, perhaps followed by report to UNGA. In light of Gruber’s views set forth Vienna’s 2295 February 92 to Department, however, governments will presumably wish Western High Commissioners to consult further with Austrian government after Austrian elections and submit their recommendations before subsequent course of action is finally determined.
There was general agreement that series of meetings just concluded served useful purpose in clarifying Soviet attitude and in demonstrating effective pressure exerted on them in abbreviated treaty, although it was recognized that Soviet still intend to avoid serious negotiations on treaty and were utilizing demand for withdrawal as pretext to that end. Intransigence of Soviet attitude was [Page 1834] in itself regarded as evidence of embarrassing position in which Western moves and particularly short treaty have placed them.