763.0221/10–2153: Telegram
No. 897
The United States High Commissioner
for Austria (Thompson) to the Department of
State1
priority
1024. As previously reported see no serious objection augmentation USFA forces by suitable portion TRUST troops2 provided this done quietly and without public announcement. Loud Communist criticism to be expected and probably move will stimulate Austrian Government request to both Soviets and ourselves to reduce forces. Most serious problem is that of dependents but General Arnold assures me this will be handled without further requisition Austrian housing. Most important that number dependent families moved Austria be held to minimum but no objection movement limited number to Austria prior actual transfer troops.
Am convinced attempt to put American forces in British zone would involve political risks not commensurate with strategic advantages. British reduction was announced as responsive Raab’s June speech requesting withdrawal all occupation forces. Move publicly welcomed by Austrian Government and people. Austrian Government subsequently put pressure on French for similar reduction. This move was welcomed throughout Austria. In recent public speech Raab announced intention request similar reductions Soviets and ourselves. Austrians have already made arrangements with British agreement to move gendarmes into barracks being vacated by British and plan similar moves in French zone. Austrian Government’s current policy is endeavor attain as many as possible of benefits state treaty in absence any real hope of early conclusion treaty. Convinced proposed move into British zone would arouse bitter opposition Austrian Government with support both political parties and might furnish Soviets opportunity to abrogate control agreement. As indication Austrian thinking Gruber asked me personally few days ago whether we could announce some reduction American troops even if not true in order enable Austrians bring pressure on Russians for reduction. After discussing matter he [Page 1924] withdrew suggestion but indicated Austrian Government determined bring about reduction Soviet troops if possible.
So long as current Soviet policies in Austria are continued, only hope I can see of obtaining Austrian tolerance of move would be prior firm proposal on our part to Soviets to reduce to symbolic forces. I do not favor such action, however, because of risk that Soviets would agree and I do not believe even such an offer would do more than soften Austrian opposition stationing our forces in British zone should Soviets refuse.
Even should we decide unilaterally drastically to reduce our forces believe many Austrians would welcome it on ground Russians would eventually be obliged to follow suit. Austrian reasoning is that as long as western powers have any forces in Austria Russians will not dare intervene in western zones and that in event of war or serious threat of war we could quickly reenforce our troops. I have frequently pointed out that in fact withdrawal on our part would be across Atlantic whereas Russians would remain in Hungary but many Austrians seem prepared accept this risk. …
Urge every precaution play down augmentation US forces and hold down number of dependent families to absolute minimum. Presume when plans firm we will be authorized inform Austrian Government.
- Repeated to Paris for MacArthur and Reinhardt.↩
- Based on a recommendation by SACEUR through the JCS to the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Defense urgently requested the views of the Department of State concerning the movement of U.S. troops from Trieste to Austria. In telegram 1204 to Vienna, the Department of State requested the Embassy’s views on the movement of approximately 4,500 troops to the U.S. Zone in Austria as well as the movement of a maximum of 500 dependent families prior to or at the same time as the relocation of the troops. (763.0221/10–2053)↩