Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Eastern Europe; Soviet Union; Eastern Mediterranean, Volume VIII

PPS files, lot 64 D 563, “Trieste”

No. 138
The Secretary of Defense (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

top secret

Washington, October 20, 1953.

Dear Mr. Secretary: I am sure you are aware of the urgent necessity for arriving at a coordinated U.S.-U.K. decision as to the date of termination of the military occupation of Trieste. In the attached memorandum, the Joint Chiefs of Staff point out some of the factors affecting an orderly withdrawal of our forces, and urge that the occupation be continued beyond the presently planned date of 1 December 1953.

Since the channel of communication to the Allied Commander is through the U.S. Chiefs of Staff and in view of General Winterton’s request to be informed of any change in the target date prior to 5 November, I suggest that we now inform him that the withdrawal, while still under consideration, will not in any event take place this year.

Sincerely yours,

C.E. Wilson

[Attachment]

Memorandum by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Radford) to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)

top secret

Washington, 16 October 1953.

Subject:

• Redeployment of United States Forces in Trieste

1. By memorandum, dated 16 September 1953, subject: “Redeployment of TRUST Forces,”¹ you authorized the Joint Chiefs of Staff to inform the Commander in Chief, United States European Command, that his proposal to redeploy Trieste United States Troops to United States Forces Austria had been approved for planning purposes. This authorization was given subject to qualification interposed by the Department of State that implementation of these plans would take into account the difficult housing problem in the United States Zone of Austria and would not adversely affect the housing for civilians in that country. The Commander in Chief, United States European Command, was so informed.

2. In light of the announcement by the United States and British Governments to turn over administration of Zone A, Trieste, to the Italian Government, it will be necessary to redeploy Trieste United States Troops in the immediate future. The Commander in Chief, United States European Command has now requested final approval to redeploy these forces to the United States Zone of Austria. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe agrees with the recommendations of the Commander in Chief, United States European Command and, in addition, recommends that for tactical reasons these forces should be redeployed to the Villach Area of Austria in the British Zone as soon as politically feasible.

3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff agree with the recommendations of the Commander in Chief, United States European Command and of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and are of the opinion that your approval of the movement of this force to the United States Zone of Austria is a matter of urgency since it is imperative that movement of dependents and stores be accomplished immediately.

4. Accordingly, the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that, with the concurrence of the Department of State, you approve the attached cable for dispatch by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.²

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

Arthur Radford

1. Not found in Department of State files.
2. Not printed; the attached draft cable to the Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command, simply noted that he was authorized to take action as necessary to implement the planning approved by the JCS on Oct. 8.