763.00/2–2554: Telegram
No. 913
The Acting United States High
Commissioner for Austria (Yost) to the Department of State1
2183. During call to introduce Freund we discussed with Raab in general terms post-Berlin situation of Austria.
In referring to parliamentary debate yesterday Chancellor said that, though speeches accurate reflection of Austrian feeling, it would have been better had they not been made since they were not conducive to proper atmosphere for negotiations with Russians [Page 1948] which must be resumed. In response to query as to character and content of such negotiations, he said they should deal with Austrian control of its own frontiers and subjection of USIA firms to Austrian law. He did not specifically state negotiations would be bilateral but seemed clearly so to intend.
When asked whether he expected Soviets now to follow tougher or softer line in Austria, he replied softer and added Ilychev had already stated desire for serious conversation with him.
Chancellor was firmly of opinion that, as long as Soviet troops remain, control agreement constitutes essential protection for Austria and should not be revised, whether in regard to review of Austrian legislation or otherwise. He did urge however that AC approve pending constitutional laws, particularly that revising Vienna boundaries. Replying to query re desirability troop reduction, he said he did not intend to raise this question “at present” and that Western withdrawals should in any case be no more than proportionate to Soviets.
He concluded that he expected government would within another week have firmed up its position on these matters and he would at that time talk with us further.
In conversation with Freund yesterday Vice Chancellor spontaneously expressed hope US would not reduce troops to token level or below strength which would ensure US involvement in any Soviet attack on Austria. He also opposed major revision of control agreement though did not seem to exclude minor changes. As alleviations he urged: (1) Austrian control of movement of goods and persons across her frontiers, (2) return of USIA enterprises, (3) freedom to engage in civil aviation, (4) delivery to Austrian Government of Red-White-Red radio network.
In contrast to Raab, Schaerf doubted Soviets would pursue more lenient course, quoting recent remark of Soviet official: “You sided with Western imperialists at Berlin, so how can you expect favors from us.”
- Repeated to Paris and London.↩