Office of the Historian

303. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Austria0

Washington, September 25, 1958, 7:42 p.m.

919. Following based on uncleared memorandum conversation between Secretary and Figl September 25.1

Figl cited progress on four topics which Secretary raised with Raab in May: Austrian Assets Treaty, Vienna Memorandum negotiations, Article 26 negotiations, and dollar liberalization. He hoped first three could be concluded by the end of 1958. Re liberalization he cited Cabinet action September 23 approving 5% increase. Secretary requested Figl express his gratification to Chancellor for progress.

Following discussion Far East, Figl said problem of concern to Austria which had struggled hard for freedom and still was on frontier. Austria small country but wished contribute its bit to maintain Free World. Figl had therefore announced in UN speech September 23 Austria ready participate in permanent UN Peace Force if created. Had decided participation compatible with “military neutrality.”

Secretary regretted Austria did not vote for Red China moratorium. Figl stressed alignment with US on Hungary and “all other issues in GA” but said could not go along on moratorium.

Elbrick meeting with Figl, Fuchs September 26 re Austrian-US relations.2

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.63/9–2558. Confidential. Drafted by Chapin, cleared with Howe, and approved by Cameron.↩
  2. Foreign Minister Figl was in Washington to meet with Secretary Dulles, having arrived on September 24 from New York, where he had been attending the 13th U.N. General Assembly session since September 14. Two memoranda of conversation, on which this telegram is based, are ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199. A briefing memorandum for Figl’s visit, September 24, from Elbrick to the Secretary is ibid., Central Files, 763.13/9–2458.↩
  3. See Document 304.↩