740.00119 Council/5–848: Telegram
The United States Deputy for Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Reber) to the Secretary of State
2007. Delsec 1724. From Reber. British deputy has today informed Secretary General views of his government (reference Delsec 1718, May 6) as follows:
“His Majesty’s Government have now instructed me to say that they are unable to depart from the attitude they have taken upon these questions of principle. They cannot therefore agree to leave the Yugoslav claims in abeyance, and trust that the Soviet deputy will give a clear indication that he will be able to withdraw his demands on the questions of frontiers and reparations so as to furnish a positive basis for progress on the treaty. On receipt of such an intimation I should be authorized to resume the meetings forthwith.”
In informally acknowledging this communication I have today requested Secretary General to inform the other deputies that I have now received the reply of the UK Government and that as stated previously I shall be glad to call the next meeting when I am informed there are new proposals before us concerning these two articles of the treaty which are in accordance with the principles expressed at the last meeting in respect of a solution of the Austrian Treaty.
This procedure was previously concerted with British and French yesterday when it was further agreed we should take no initiative in urging Soviets to submit new proposals. If no response received from Soviet deputy by Tuesday, we will meet on a tripartite basis that afternoon to consider further procedure. In present circumstances it does not seem that any useful purpose could be served by another meeting unless it is clear in advance that Soviets will so modify their position as to make agreement on these crucial issues possible. We fully recognize the difficult position in which complete breakdown may place Austria, particularly the eastern zone, but if no agreement on this issue is possible failure to reach a treaty will be more easily understood in Austria. Gruber informed me before his departure he shared this view and would so inform the Chancellor on return to Vienna.
Sent Department 2007, repeated Vienna 93, Belgrade 33.