663.001/1–750: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the United States Deputy for Austria at the Council of Foreign Ministers (Reber), at London1
priority
72. Audel 225. Ref Paris 68 Jan 5 Dept is gratified Fr position reveals no serious tripartite difficulty regarding conclusion Aust Treaty. Practical steps now being considered with respect present and future impact para 5 Art 16 on situation in Aust. Definite plans will be transmitted shortly for discussion with Brit and Fr.
We agree with Fr view re undesirability further prolonged futile session but not with view (London’s 5179 Dec 312) on tactics in opening sessions as it wld give Zarubin excellent opportunity for postponing negots indefinitely. Our objective is utilize every means of pressure secure conclusion Treaty. We urge maintenance tripartite position on this point as well as firm agreement on tactics to be used in face Sov stalling in forthcoming negots.
In tripartite mtg Monday you may wish propose that best tactics for opening sessions wld be to assume Sov element now prepared conclude negots at early date on basis assurances last New York mtg. Issue shld not be forced with Sov Deputy at this time as it wld place him in position making possible a disruption of negots. Discussion Art 16 and 27 shld be avoided pending determination Zarubin’s gen attitude.
We are considering possibility, if Sovs continue stall after short but reasonable period, of publishing record of negots in order show in detail efforts by Western states conclude Treaty and successive obstacles raised by Sov Del. Pls discuss with Brit and Fr Deputies possibility action in this regard or other recommendations for appropriate tripartite action. Such pub wld not be designed disrupt negots [Page 433] but to put Sov attitude in negots in proper perspective and prevent Western states from being blamed for failure obtain conclusion Treaty.
We do not consider Sovs will long continue to delay conclusion Treaty by using easy excuse of unsuccessful negots on Art 48 bis. If they do not desire conclude Treaty at this time, it is likely Zarubin may raise problem of revival Nazism in Aust similar to Sov attacks in recent AC mtgs. Vienna is requested supply London with sufficient info for rebuttal in event this tactic is used. Zarubin may also use extent UN claims in Art 423 as propaganda to hide possible Sov decision not conclude Treaty.
Future instrs on tactics will be determined after ascertaining Zarubin’s objectives in opening sessions and on your recommendations based on agreement with Fr and Brit Deputies.