No. 941
Editorial Note
In the fall of 1953, the Department of State considered a proposal by the Embassy in Vienna to invite Chancellor Julius Raab to Washington for a visit but the decision was postponed because of plans for the pending four-power conference in Berlin scheduled for January 1954. When the Berlin Conference resulted in no progress on the Austrian Treaty, the Embassy again recommended that an invitation be extended to Raab. As stated in telegram 2067, February 16, Acting United States High Commissioner Yost described Raab’s mood as one of “disillusionment and bitterness towards Soviets” and pointed out that an invitation would be most encouraging. (763.13/2–1654) In a memorandum to Deputy Under Secretary [Page 1981] Murphy, dated March 4, Bonbright noted that Raab had not previously traveled outside of Europe and stated that if the Department gave Raab a good look at the resources of the United States, United States officials would have better luck in negotiations with him and be in a better position to prevent bilateral negotiations with the Soviets. (763.00/3–454)
Discussions between Department of State officials and Austrian Embassy personnel concerning the possibility of a visit in May took place during the following months. Once it was decided to postpone the visit to the fall, the Department of State instructed the Embassy in Vienna to extend a formal invitation to Chancellor Raab from President Eisenhower to be an official guest for a 1-week visit to the United States including approximately 3 days in Washington beginning November 21. (Telegram 200 to Vienna, July 22, 033.6311/7–2254) The Chancellor accepted the invitation immediately and, following consultation with his Cabinet, sent his formal acceptance to the Embassy on July 30. (Telegrams 192 and 259, July 23 and 30, 033.6311/7–2354 and 7–3054)
Chancellor Raab arrived in Washington on November 21 and met with President Eisenhower, Secretary of State Dulles, and other government officials during the next 3 days. For a record of Raab’s meeting at the Department of State on November 22, see the memorandum of conversation by Freund, infra. No record of Raab’s luncheon meeting with Eisenhower on November 22 was found in Department of State files or the Eisenhower Library.
For text of Secretary Dulles’ statement made upon Raab’s arrival in Washington and the Chancellor’s reply, see Department of State Bulletin, December 13, 1954, pages 910–911. For text of the communiqué issued on November 26 following the conclusion of Raab’s visit, see ibid., page 910.