Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Germany and Austria, Volume VII, Part 1

Conference files, lot 60 D 627, CF 203

No. 467
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Counselor of Embassy in Austria (Davis)

secret

Berlin, February 12, 1954.

• Present: British Delegation:
  • Mr. Warner
  • Mr. Malcolm
  • Mr. Blair
• French Delegation:
  • Mr. Sauvagnargues
  • Mr. Mille
• U.S. Delegation:
  • Mr. Freund
  • Mr. Tyler
  • Mr. Davis

Subject: Mr. Molotov’s Proposal on Austria: Future Tactics

At the close of the meeting with the Austrians, the tripartite group on Austria met alone. Subjects discussed with the Austrians present are contained in a separate memorandum.¹

French Suggestion for Four-Power Guarantee Against Anschluss

Mr. Sauvagnargues said we must all be agreed that in the face of the Soviet proposal² this afternoon there was no chance for an Austrian treaty. In view of this, he wondered whether we should not show some flexibility and perhaps offer something to the Russians since they lay such stress on Germany and the anschluss question. He recognized Article 4 in the present draft treaty was an all-inclusive prohibition against anschluss, but the treaty itself did not offer particularly effective means of guaranteeing this. He asked whether we would think of offering a Four-Power guarantee against anschluss with some provision to consult when any of the Four Powers believed there was a danger of anschluss. He saw in the Soviet emphasis on the danger of anschluss, a possible appeal to Western public opinion and he wondered whether this would not be undercut by an offer of a Four-Power guarantee.

He said he had mentioned this briefly to Mr. Bidault who appeared favorably taken with the idea. Mr. Warner and Mr. Freund argued against the French suggestion on the grounds that Article 4 of the present draft was sufficient and it might provoke endless debate and possibly would set a dangerous precedent on the German question.

Mr. Sauvagnargues remarked that we must do something about a security guarantee on Germany before the end of the conference. (This is the first indication those present have had that the French may be thinking of tabling a definite proposal on European security.)

Conclusions

1. It was agreed that further thought would be given to the French suggestion on offering a Four-Power guarantee against anschluss.

2. In general, it was thought unwise to have the Austrians speak first at Saturday’s session although this was a decision for the Ministers.

3. On general tactics to be followed at tomorrow’s session, it was agreed that Mr. Molotov’s proposal should be rejected in toto and we should, at least for the first round, attempt to return to the simple proposal made by Mr. Eden.³

Discussion on How to Break Off Austrian Item

There was some discussion on the proposal to break off the Austrian item by offering to accept the present draft treaty with the Soviet version of the Articles and with the Soviet offer of today to accept payment of the $150 million in kind. This offer could perhaps be made on Sunday, giving Mr. Molotov only until Tuesday to accept. The French rather favor this course, although the British do not think so much of the idea in the present circumstances. In this connection, the French thought it would be important to emphasize that Article 4 of the treaty contained absolute prohibition against anschluss.

It was agreed that this suggestion for breaking off the Austrian discussion would have to be considered further.

Richard H. Davis

1. Supra.
2. FPM(54)55, Document 519.
3. For Eden’s proposal, see Secto 129, Document 464.