763.00/5–2054: Telegram
No. 924
The Acting United States High
Commissioner for Austria (Yost) to the Department of State1
2883. Re Deptel 3369.2 Embassy is in agreement with Department’s view Soviet attempt to intimidate Austrian Government should be met by firm action on part western powers. We are also in agreement with the Department’s instructions under paragraphs a, b, and c.
As reported in Embtel 2866,3 French supported by British were particularly desirous to have letter from Chancellor to AC which [Page 1966] would be helpful in establishing basis for discussion of this subject at AC meeting on May 28. Therefore, as chairman of the AC and acting on behalf of all three western powers, I called on Figl this morning and suggested that such a letter might prove helpful if the Austrian Government desired to address itself to the AC. I said, however, we intended to proceed whether the Austrians thought it desirable to send a letter or not.
This afternoon a draft letter was submitted to us which merely transmitted to the AC the text of Raab’s speech in Parliament May 19 “in the interest of a smooth cooperation between the AC and that Austrian Government”. Draft letter concluded that “Austrian Government puts great value on removing misunderstandings which could endanger good relations between four Allied occupying powers and Austria.”
I saw Figl and Kreisky at end afternoon, who meanwhile had received from Embassy copies of Secretary’s statement to be released today. Both argued that a letter was (1) unnecessary, and (2) in view Secretary’s public instruction to US element to raise question in AC, Austrian letter arriving in AC after such announcement would be open to Soviet charge Austrians merely acting on instructions Americans. I reiterated argument in favor of sending letter particularly emphasizing French desire but did not press them since it was obvious from the draft submitted earlier that the Austrian Government was reluctant to place itself in the “middle”. I left matter open by saying I would report Austrian decision to British and French High Commissioners.
At tomorrow’s executive committee meeting US representative will under “any other business” state that under instructions US Government, Acting US High Commissioner requests consideration by AC on May 28 Soviet allegations that Austrian authorities have contravened control agreement and other quadripartite decisions. This will serve to put this item officially on agenda for next AC meeting.
Three western High Commissioners will meet first part of next week to discuss tactics at AC meeting. At that time we shall give consideration as requested Deptel 3369 to possible countermeasures which may be necessary to anticipate any Soviet actions.