763.00/5–2654: Telegram
No. 926
The Acting United States High
Commissioner for Austria (Yost) to the Department of State1
2921. Re Deptel 3369 and Embtel 2883.2 Austrian top officials believe that Secretary’s public instructions have had salutary effect on Soviet attitude and consider Soviet element not prepared to develop to major proportions present controversy. They base this estimate on recent conversations with Soviet HICOM and other Soviet officials here. British and French also share this Austrian view and in our meetings in preparation for AC meeting on May 283 have urged restraint and moderation. There is every indication that, unless provoked by Soviets, their own comments will be extremely mild. They do not desire at AC to discuss substance of Soviet charges but will offer to discuss at appropriate directorate level evidence Soviets may desire to present.
We are not so sanguine that Soviet elements will not continue to press charges and make them a major issue. However, we do think Secretary’s statement has been most beneficial and in our opening remarks at AC meeting on Friday we intend to lay most emphasis upon (1) Soviet unilateral action on matters which affect Austria as a whole and (2) threat of limitation to Austrian independence highlighted by Secretary. We have framed resolution which in effect reaffirms control agreement and necessity avoiding unilateral action which, without sanction in control agreement, would infringe Austrian rights and sovereignty. Although doubtless Soviet element will not accept resolution, it will reemphasize concern with which we regard their charges and provide us opportunity appropriate publicity.
- Repeated to London, Paris, Geneva, and Moscow.↩
- Documents 923 and 924.↩
- The minutes of the Allied Council meeting of May 28, 1954, are in ALCO records, lot 62 F 9, “Allied Commission Minutes—1954”.↩