740.00119 Council/3–2149: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Deputy for Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Reber)
1006.1 Ausdel 34. Consider course indicated para 1 Delaus 622 advisable in present circumstances.
Do not agree views Brit and Fr if they have in mind to buy Sov recognition our position on frontiers and reparations through such concessions as would sacrifice economic safeguards essential to preservation economic independence Aust. That would be incompatible with our basic approach to Aust Treaty and our Aust policy followed since liberation. We must therefore continue to insist on relinquishment by Sovs control of industries in Eastern zones and we are in complete agreement as to importance this objective in consideration economic issues Treaty. You should hold firmly to your instructions this regard closely linking our resistance to dangerous concessions re economic articles [Page 1086] to opposition to frontier changes and reparations as total effort to assure reestablishment of Aust unity, territorial integrity, independence and stability in accord with previous international agreements.
If negotiations break down on this all-inclusive issue Aust public should appreciate our purpose is protection future of Aust. We feel in brief our basic premises in approach to economic articles at outset negotiations have not changed. While we must make every reasonable effort obtain Treaty and avoid onus for breakdown negotiations, concessions beyond limits of what is considered to represent basis acceptable Treaty in conformity with your instructions should be rejected.