Vienna Mission/59A543/PL9 Box 256: Telegram
The United States Military Commissioner in Austria (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff72
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P 6000. I had Konev and Zheltov73 to lunch yesterday with view of determining any change of attitude as result of their trip to Moscow. We had a long talk and relations were extremely cordial. He manifested some concern about the stand I have taken in the Allied Council on the land question74 and the extent to which UNRRA has injected [Page 325] this and the oil question into its Austrian relief program and publicity therefore which has occurred.
After much discussion on the UNRRA program Konev made it clear that: (1) The Red Army proposes to use not to exceed 15,000 hectares of land in Lower Austria to raise vegetables and other perishable foodstuffs for troop consumption. (2) This acreage is property confiscated by the Germans after the Anschluss and therefore falls under the terms of the Potsdam agreement in Konev’s opinion. (3) Soviet authorities will turn over to UNRRA during April and May sufficient food to feed their zone in Vienna plus five other cities in the Soviet Zone based on 1200 calorie ration scale. Food will not be turned over by Soviets to feed smaller communities and farmers in their zone. Konev stated it was unnecessary to provide food for smaller communities and farmers as these classes had access to indigenous supplies. I could not ascertain exact amount of food the Soviets will turn over to UNRRA for April and May, but he indicated it would be an amount substantially greater than the 4700 tons reported in paragraph 4 my message No. 5350.75 He stated however it would be much less than the tonnage to be turned over by either the British or U.S. elements.
We also discussed reduction of troops. Konev stated that reduction of his forces in Austria would be a continuous process. I rather gained the impression that a speed-up in the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Austria might be in the offing. He would not agree to any discussion in the Allied Council on troop ceiling objectives to be attained. He made it clear that any such discussions must be conducted on Governmental level. I am convinced that we can make no progress here on this subject. In this connection he laughingly stated: “General Clark need have no concern about any Soviet offensive intentions in Austria.”
I raised the question of occupation costs. Konev agreed that such costs should be included in the Austrian budget and stated he is prepared to discuss this subject with the other commanders. Until this matter is settled the Soviets will be unable to obtain schillings to pay their troops as other commanders took action in February with Austrian Government to block Soviet demands for funds until commanders agree on amounts to be turned over to each occupation force.
Konev mentioned draft submitted by British on new control machinery and stated he is ready to discuss subject in Allied Council. He believed agreement could be reached on this draft as Soviet element has in mind only two minor changes.
Konev has invited me to Baden Friday where we will continue our informal discussions. I will send report of this meeting.