Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, European Advisory Commission, Austria, Germany, Volume III

740.00119 Control (Austria)/9–3045: Telegram

The United States Military Commissioner for Austria (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff ³⁰

[Vienna,] September 30, 1945—11 p.m.

War Series PV–7824. 1. Referring to my PV 7803, 29 September re extension of authority of Renner Government, I can now report some local British views:

a. They may be willing to have the Provisional Government as constituted by Laender Conference possess authority throughout Austria, but they strongly desire that it be instituted as a Government de novo rather than an extension of the authority of an existing government as proposed at Potsdam.

b. Accordingly they want Allied Council to review all past legislation of Renner Government and to decide which laws shall be made valid throughout Austria. In the case of laws found acceptable they would like to have them formally reenacted. All new laws should be submitted to Allied Council for approval before promulgation.

c. They want the Provisional Government to be not only under general supervision of Allied Council but under detailed control to prevent “free wheeling” by Government.

d. They want eight governmental functions to be exercised exclusively by Allied Commission:

(1) Foreign Affairs and diplomatic representation;

(2) Delimitation of frontiers;

(3) Movement of Austrians and foreigners in and out of Austria;

(4) Displaced persons;

(5) Demilitarization;

(6) Construction, operation and control of all forms of aircraft, equipment and landing areas;

(7) Settlement of all questions relating to foreign-owned property;

(8) Approval of members of the central and provincial provisional governments; and of the head officials of the central and provincial administrations.

e. They want certain other functions to be exercised by Provisional Government only under direction of Allied Commission and with its prior consent. These include rationing and price control, allocation and distribution of food and other resources, other economic matters, central banking, approval of national budget, and settlement of all questions relating to expropriated Austrian-owned properties.

f. They will press strongly for a thorough-going reorganization of all branches of Austrian police, under Allied supervision and direction. They feel this should be made a condition to the extension of authority of Provisional Government. They have in British element of Allied Commission a staff of British police experts including a high-ranking officer from Scotland Yard. General McCreery has approached me with a view to securing my consent to placing the Scotland Yard officer in charge of Austrian police. They will supply the police with some British equipment and transport.

g. They are now willing to have elections held this year, but even after the elected government takes office they will want to maintain close supervision over it, arguing that since so many Austrians are now away a second election twelve to eighteen months hence will be necessary to ensure establishment of a thoroughly representative Austrian Government.

2. Some of the British points would, if insisted upon, probably cause a deadlock in Allied Council. They are aware that this would seriously delay Austrian reconstruction and under certain conditions might lead to chaos.

3. British are most anxious to have us present united front to Soviets, arguing that otherwise Soviets can play us off against each other. Russians on other hand are extremely sensitive to any appearance of a US-UK bloc.

4. Soviets are prepared to recommend recognition of Provisional Government as broadened by Laender Conference, and have it function under the guidance and control of Allied Council as supreme authority in Austria. They have expressed themselves as agreeable to free elections in near future. On police problem they object to singling out for special Allied scrutiny or control one of the two ministries (Interior) headed by a Communist. This they say would be a blow to Soviet prestige. Accordingly they propose that reliance be placed on the agreed control by the Allied Commission over all ministries, including Interior.

5. In an hour’s conversation with Renner yesterday he said he would be satisfied with extension of his government’s authority although he frankly stated he preferred recognition, because recognition would give the government greater prestige and enable it more effectively to deal with neighboring states. In either case Renner accepts fact that Allied Commission will remain supreme authority. He expressed complete confidence in government’s ability to hold free and honest elections in 1945. On the police question he said the safeguards provided by Laender Conference would effectively curb possibility of abuse by Honner or Communists.

6. Question of extension of authority of Provisional Government and related questions are on agenda for tomorrow’s Allied Council meeting. I discussed these questions privately with both Koniev and McCreery yesterday and made some progress toward reconciling these views. My own views are set forth in PV 7803.

[Clark]

30. This telegram was sent for information to the Secretary of State in London.