863.20/1–1049
The Secretary of Defense (Forrestal) to the Secretary of State
Your letter of 7 December1 stating that the Austrian Government is requesting that negotiations on the Austrian Treaty be resumed has been referred to the Secretary of the Army, the Joint Chiefs of Staff [Page 1237] and the Munitions Board for consideration in connection with any activities having to do with the development of general foreign military aid requirements or the formulation of military assistance legislation.
The current program for the training of the Austrian police in the United States Zone has been completed. While United States weapons for the police are not to be issued except for emergencies or training, detailed plans have been prepared to permit rapid distribution.
General Bradley has requested the Joint Chiefs of Staff to conduct, as a matter of priority, an availability study on the equipment required by General Keyes to organize, train and equip the basic cadres for the Austrian Army to be formed within the Austrian Gendarmerie. It is expected that this study will be completed in the near future.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff are currently conducting studies on foreign military aid programs and it is understood that the equipment requirements for the basic Austrian Security forces will be included in these studies. Obviously, it is undesirable that any public discussions be held on this subject. It is therefore necessary to consider the inclusion of some funds to be expended at the discretion of the President in any proposed legislation for foreign military aid.
Sincerely yours,
- Not printed.↩