740.00119 Control (Austria)/5–1548: Telegram
The Minister in Austria (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State
627. It is unmistakable that Soviet attitude has improved during last three weeks. Travel restrictions imposed early April have been either abandoned or are not being enforced. As previously reported, Soviet behavior at meetings of AC and subsidiary bodies has been notably less aggressive and there has been unusual reluctance to press or exploit issues which normally would have been subject of bitter attacks on western powers, In conversation between US and Soviet deputy high commissioners reported USFA cable P–1784 May 13,1 Zheltov was especially friendly. His reference to Smith-Molotov note exchange and desirability of extending to Vienna cooperative attitude therein expressed was particularly interesting.2
We are not yet [in] position to judge whether this sudden shift is purely local development or reflects broader policy. It may be that Soviets, still eager to reach agreement on Austrian treaty, decided on basis of statements in Vienna and Washington that their high pressure tactics here might jeopardize that agreement. On other hand prompt reference to Smith-Molotov notes by Zheltov who is top Soviet political figure in Austria may indicate that shift in strategy here is carefully coordinated part of broader program. Even in latter case, however, there would certainly be no evidence here that shift, if it has occurred, involves slightest relinquishment of any important Soviet objective or indicates more than possible intention to pursue those objectives by slightly less provocative means.
Sent Department 627; repeated London for USDel 153; Moscow 19