Office of the Historian

310.2/4–1654: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Austria1

confidential
Washington, April 16, 1954—7: 32 p.m.

3073. Your views requested as to where Austria should raise question their membership UN. Austrian objective, which Department supports, [Page 998] is according Austrian UN observer, Haymerle, first to obtain membership or, failing this, to keep Austrian case before world attention.

On assumption there was no chance Soviets would accept Austrian membership except as part of some new package deal our first reaction, shared by Austrian Embassy here, was that it would be unwise raise matter in Vienna discussions of occupation alleviations where Soviets could veto before leverage world opinion could be used.

However, there may be possibility USSR, as gesture to Austria and to counter public opinion consequences Soviet Berlin Conference position, would now agree to membership. If favorable possibilities exist, chances success might be improved by raising question in Vienna apart from broader problems and out of limelight. Soviet position if problem raised initially in UN would almost necessarily be negative because of earlier position. On other hand if Soviets were to participate in four power recommendation from Vienna Soviets might find reversal easier and acceptance in UN would then presumably follow.

Re suggestion made to Gruber (paragraph one Deptel 470 to USUN repeated Vienna 2953 pouched other posts) that Austria send document to UN, Haymerle reports matter still under consideration Vienna but he doubts any decision will be taken until after Geneva Conference. Consideration should be given this connection that if possibility favorable Soviet action in Vienna considered to exist, any prior action by Austria to raise issue in UN might prejudice action in Vienna.

Smith

  1. Drafted by Hugh G. Appling of the Office of Western European Affairs; and cleared with Richard B. Freund, Officer in Charge, Italian and Austrian Affairs, the Director of the Office of Eastern European Affairs (Barbour), and Ward P. Allen, Special Assistant for UN Affairs, Bureau of European Affairs; signed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Bonbright).

    Sent also to Moscow (664) and USUN New York (501) for action and repeated for information by pouch to London and Paris.

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