740.00119 Control (Austria)/8–1345: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Harriman )
1819. Verona 133 Aug 6 repeated to you as 13. Dept understands that Soviet authorities in Vienna believe new instructions necessary [Page 571] before meeting of four commanders in chief in Austria and entry of garrison troops into Vienna. Dept agrees with General Clark on desirability for early establishment of control machinery as ratified by Soviet Govt.
Brit Govt proposes to instruct Ambassador to raise question of delay with Soviet Govt unless progress is made by Aug 14.
We are persuaded there is no deliberate Soviet obstruction but recognize necessity of immediate establishment of control machinery. Please inquire what steps Soviet Govt consider necessary for prompt institution of quadripartite machinery in Austria.36
Sent to Moscow as Dept. no. 1819; repeated to AusPolAd, Verona as 65.
- In telegram 3036, August 24, the Ambassador in Moscow reported that on August 22 he received a written reply to his inquiry from Andrey Yanuaryevich Vyshinsky, First Assistant People’s Commissar of Foreign Affairs. In his letter Mr. Vyshinsky asserted that Soviet military authorities were not delaying a meeting of the four Commanders in Chief or the entrance of Allied garrison troops into Vienna. He pointed out that meetings of subordinate officers had been going on since July 28. “No objections against entrance of Allied troops into Vienna raised by Soviet commander. On contrary Allies have been advised that they could bring their troops into Vienna anytime they so desired.” The meeting of the Commanders in Chief had been postponed at British request. (740.00119 Control (Austria)/8–2445)↩