396.1 PA/10–553: Telegram
No. 892
The United States High Commissioner
for Austria (Thompson) to the Department of
State1
866. Gruber and Raab informed me that they were satisfied with results Paris visit, although I believe they were disappointed not to obtain firm French commitment for reduction of forces which [Page 1906] would have been useful in forthcoming elections in Tyrol. Raab said French felt withdrawal their forces would “leave a hole.”2 I said we also had some concern about this. Raab replied that French could keep 10 battalions in Austria without difficulty if they would put them in barracks which are available and give up the housing which causes so much political difficulty. Gruber earlier informed me French contemplate keeping about 400 men in Vienna and 1 battalion in Tyrol.
Gruber said there was some discussion, apparently inconclusive, of problems raised for Austria by steel and coal community. Gruber said his personal view was that Austria should endeavor conclude agreement with each member government giving Austria benefits of plan while secretly undertaking to carry out the responsibilities and duties involved.3
- Repeated to London, Paris, and Moscow.↩
- According to a memorandum by W. K. Scott, dated Oct. 2, General Gruenther had just been officially informed that French forces in Austria would be withdrawn shortly and stationed in Germany. (763.0221/10–253)↩
- A handwritten notation by Hugh G. Appling at this point on the source text reads as follows: “Don’t we sometime have to think a little more specifically about how Austria is to fit into the new Western Eur. economy? HA”.↩