328. Telegram From the Embassy in Austria to the Department of State0
160. Paris for Dillon. Various details and aspects of Under Secretary’s visit as well as excellent press reaction are being reported in separate messages but I wish Dept to know it was very successful from every point of view.1 The timing was perfect for Dillon’s arrival took place while Austrians were still red-faced over Khrushchev visit and uneasy over our pointed and salutary reminders of obligations of a neutral to disassociate itself from attacks on its friends. These reminders had given Austrian officials some cause for thought and anxiety and some uncertainty as to future relations, as well as some criticism in their own press. They were determined therefore nothing should spoil cordiality and friendly atmosphere which they meant visit to reflect. The press in particular, starting with warm remarks of Under Secretary on arrival and ending with Sunday headlines of his spontaneous toast at Kreisky’s dinner, “Austria the bastion of freedom”, could not have been better. Latter headlines and the story were given lead play in number of Sunday newspapers even overshadowing Congo developments.
Principal play was on his declaration both in television interview and in his speech at Foreign Policy Association that Austria entitled to interpret its own neutrality. Austrians were so eager to maintain friendly atmosphere they never raised question of counterpart settlement or South Tyrol. In fact Kreisky told me following Under Secretary’s departure airport he had deliberately refrained from mentioning latter for that reason (his additional reasons are contained in Dillon’s 35 from Belgrade).
Under Secretary’s speech before Foreign Policy Association brought out a packed house including Ambassadors of all prominent European countries and leaders Austrian political and business communities and evoked much applause. His remarks on European economic developments and our position with respect thereto brought about some much needed clarification of our real position which has not heretofore been fully understood or believed, and I believe speech and his discussion during Friday’s talks constitute the real point of substance of any importance. In fact Austrians were obviously padding political half of discussions owing to lack of many bilateral questions between the two countries.
[Page 832]Other aspect of visit which had real value was chance given to Kreisky to expound his views on world situation and on specific aspects thereof including an interpreting account of his estimate of and conversations with various Soviet leaders over past two years. This he did in relaxed atmosphere of our six-hour drive to Melk, Durnstein and return. It also gave him opportunity of outlining his views re coalition govt functioning and aims, personalities and differences of Austria’s two principal coalition partners. This I know he greatly appreciated.
All in all it was a very worthwhile visit.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.12–DI/7–1960. Confidential. Repeated to Paris.↩
- Regarding Dillion’s visit to Vienna, see footnote 8, Document 327.↩