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

763.00/5–1754: Telegram

No. 923
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Austria¹

secret
priority

Washington, May 19, 1954—4:39 p.m.

3369. Re Vienna’s 2846.²

1. Obvious Soviet attempt intimidate Austrian Government calls for firm West action along following lines:

(a) Publicity. Public attention should be drawn to Soviet attempt, on basis of cooked-up charges partly rehashed from those which found no credence in Allied Council in 1950 and all cut from same whole cloth, to terrorize Austrian Government and threaten Ministry of the Interior which, by its control of the police exercises authority of that Government guaranteed by the Control Agreement. Their threat reimpose controls over movements goods and persons not justified by reasons they give and violates intent Article IV of Control Agreement. If Soviets had well-founded charges Allied Council would be place to make them and we would there give them attention they deserve. Unilateral action by Soviets entirely unwarranted and can only be construed as effort impair authority Austrian Government whose peaceable and democratic nature recognized generally. At present when critical events around world draw public attention elsewhere it is necessary to give public emphasis to foregoing position. Department’s initial reply to press May 18 contained Deptel 3555 to Vienna.³ USIA resources will be used promote similar line and we hope it will be reflected in influential foreign media. Statement by Secretary (Deptel 3360 to Vienna⁴) being given press with some amendments (reported separately⁵).

(b) Counterattack and support Austrian Government by West in AC. Allied Council meeting should take up on U.S. initiative Soviet charges and threats. Meeting would be justified by Soviet charges Austria has failed comply with Allied Council directives and as protective measure in support authority Austrian Government in face Soviet threat unilateral action. Our position might be helped if Chancellor addressed letter to AC amplifying his reply to Ilyichev and appealing for support of authority Austrian Government guaranteed by Control Agreement. This AC debate could show lack any justified basis for Soviet action but tripartite consideration should be given to countermeasures anticipating Soviets may nevertheless proceed to take unilateral action not authorized by 4-power agreements or by reasonable interpretation Article 2, d of Control Agreement.

(c) Action to Avoid Basis of Charges. While maintaining all measures necessary to security West and Austria and abandoning no significant element of Austrian independence we might avoid any unnecessary steps which might justify Soviet retaliation. As for Austrians, we doubt there would be any need convince present Government to avoid intentional provocation. Your views of foregoing and any other steps in this direction desired.

Dulles

1. Drafted by Freund, E.P. Allen, and Appling, and cleared by J.W. Jones, Barbour, and Bonbright. Repeated to London, Paris, Moscow, and Geneva.
2. Document 921.
3. Telegram 3355 quoted a Department of State spokesman who described Soviet actions as obvious attempts to intimidate and discredit the Austrian Government. (763.001/5–1854)
4. Telegram 3360 transmitted the text of a draft press release under consideration for possible release on May 19. (763.00/5–1854) For text of the Department of State press release issued on May 20, see Department of State Bulletin, May 31, 1954, p. 824.
5. Reference to telegram 3371 to Vienna, May 19, which contained the amendments to the proposed press release. (763.00/5–1954)