863.00/4–1946
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Central European Affairs (Williamson)
| Participants: | U—Mr. Acheson |
| Dr. Ludwig Kleinwaechter, Austrian Political Representative to the United States | |
| CE—Mr. Riddleberger | |
| CE—Mr. Williamson |
Dr. Kleinwaechter called to present to the Under Secretary a detailed description of the critical situation existing in Austria. He pointed out that the Austrian Government was at present in a precarious situation and that, unless something was done to relieve the burden of military occupation or to give Austria some form of tangible economic assistance, he feared that the present government might fall. The Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party alike have criticized the government on the grounds that the rehabilitation of Austria and the fulfilment of the Moscow Declaration have not been immediately achieved.
Dr. Kleinwaechter suggested that some assistance to Austria in the form of a loan or in the form of the transfer or sale of surplus goods would give the government an opportunity to show the Austrian people that it could obtain results under the four-powers occupation. He further pointed out that some dynamic political or economic move was necessary to sustain the national feeling of the Austrian people and to make them cognizant of the responsibilities of national independence. Dr. Kleinwaechter stated that the most important thing which could be done was a clarification of the South Tyrol question. He pointed out that, according to press accounts, the only country which opposed the transfer of the South Tyrol to Austria was the United States. He also urged that immediate steps be taken to open parcels post service to Austria in order that food packages might be sent directly from this country.
The Under Secretary stated that he was fully aware of the critical situation existing in Austria and that steps were now being taken to relieve the serious food situation, as well as to achieve formal recognition of Austrian independence. He requested that Dr. Kleinwaechter leave a memorandum which he had prepared,91 in order that the various problems might receive appropriate consideration.
- Not printed.↩