Office of the Historian
No. 467

763.0221/1–251: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in France 1

secret
priority
niact
Washington, January 2, 1951—5 p.m.

3505. For Walter Dowling.2 Instrs Deptel 1258 to Vienna Dec 293 not to commit US in tripartite discussions occupation costs based on necessity maintaining tripartite unity and avoiding opportunity for new Sov pressures in any form. Dept believes future western position needs careful formulation. Aust Legation Dec 30 again requested US support of Aust notes to Brit and Fr.

US position firmly based on Lon agreement4 to relieve Aust far as possible occ burdens. Ways and means of carrying out this agreement have not been worked out at govt level. Dept had anticipated definite steps wld have been taken in addition to appt HICOM. Most important consequence wld have been renunciation by Brit and Fr of occ costs on which point Aust repeatedly circularized Brit and Fr since Lon agreem.

Current discussions in Paris can be useful in ascertaining nature of problem including basic financial needs of Brit and Fr in Austria and shld serve as basis for further talks.

Dept considering desirability intergovernmental discussions of gen Aust situation as related to comprehensive plan for strengthening Eur defense and various ways of supporting Aust. Definite arrangement for such talks depends on conversations in Paris.

You are requested to participate these discussions, note nature problems and report fully. Your report and recommendations will be helpful in deciding what further action is required to initiate subsequent intergovernmental discussions to carry out principles of [Page 1011] Lon agreement on relief of Aust and any other steps which may be desirable in current Eur situation.

Acheson
  1. Drafted by Francis T. Williamson and Eleanor L. Dulles of the Office of Western European Affairs and cleared with Bonbright. Repeated to London and Vienna.↩
  2. Dowling, Deputy High Commissioner for Austria, was in Paris for a series of meetings with the British and French about occupation costs in Austria.↩
  3. Not printed.↩
  4. For documentation concerning the London agreement on occupation costs, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. iii, pp. 828 ff.↩