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  4. Document 191

763.0221/4–1550: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

top secret
priority
London, April 15, 1950—1 p. m.

2045. Deptel 1696, April 14, repeated Vienna 581.1

1.
Desirability coordinated action re integration military and civilian staffs in Austria as well as tripartite announcement on subject discussed with Allen.2 He “took note of” our request and said that he would recommend to Kirkpatrick3 and Bevin that UK concur. When pressed for more categoric assurance he stated that Foreign Office would not make any announcement without prior consultation with US and French. Allen added that in any case British do not contemplate implementation of plan for time being. Moreover, in his view matter might be appropriate topic for consideration forthcoming tripartite talks here4 and on assumption that there is meeting of minds, three Foreign Ministers might thereafter announce decision in joint communiqué.
2.
Winterton and Caccia5 have just been instructed to return to London next week to discuss details changeover with Foreign Office.
3.
Allen said he had informed Luc6 of British proposal subsequent to his earlier conversation with US (Embtel 1529, March 20, repeated Paris 446, Vienna 727). Latter has not yet advised him of French reaction, merely mentioning in conversation two days ago that Madame Bethouart8 had gotten wind of plan and in thought French [Page 387] may take similar action, is now busily engaged in lobbying for designation her husband as joint French Minister-High Commissioner.
4.
Allen stated that letter had just been sent to British Chiefs of Staff requesting them to examine proposal mentioned subparagraph (b) Embtel 1529.
5.
At conclusion conversation we again inquired when British would be prepared to take part in talks on Austrian security forces (Embtel 1920, April 11, repeated Vienna 799). Allen expressed regret at delay and promised to give matter his personal attention. We shall continue to needle Foreign Office on subject at frequent intervals.

Sent Department 2045, repeated Vienna 82.

Douglas
  1. Not printed; it instructed Embassy London to inform the Foreign Office that “any action this type shld be fully coordinated with us and Fr and any announcement of FonOff decision shld be made on tripartite basis.” (763.0221/4–1450)↩
  2. William Denis Allen, Head of the German Political Department, British Foreign Office.↩
  3. Sir Ivone A. Kirkpatrick, Permanent Under Secretary of State for the German Section, British Foreign Office.↩
  4. For documentation on the London Foreign Ministers talks, May 11–13, see vol. iii, pp. 828 ff.↩
  5. Maj. Gen. John W. Winterton, British High Commissioner and Commander in Chief for Austria; Sir Harold A. Caccia, British Minister in Austria.↩
  6. Robert Luc, First Secretary of the French Embassy in the United Kingdom.↩

  7. Not printed; it reported the following three proposals as the basis for the British reply to the Austrian memorandum on occupation policy:

    • “a. Gradual elimination certain UK HICOM’s present activities and absorption remainder by British Legation;
    • b. Designation Caccia to act in dual role UK HICOM and Minister;
    • c. Reduction in British supporting as opposed to combat forces.” (763.0221/3–2050)

    ↩
  8. Presumably a reference to the wife of Gen. Emile Béthouart, French High Commissioner and Commander in Chief for Austria.↩
  9. Not printed; for further documentation on the proposed tripartite talks on Austrian internal security, see pp. 473 ff.↩