20. Editorial Note

In response to requests from the British and French, the United States on March 31 agreed to the issuing of a public declaration giving the Western position on the Austrian Treaty. Proceeding from a British draft, dated March 30, a tripartite working group, consisting of Sir Geoffrey Young, British Assistant Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Sir George Young of the British Cabinet Office; Etienne Crouy-Chanel, French Minister-Counselor at London; Norris Chipman, American First Secretary at London; and Peter Rutter, American Second Secretary at London, began discussions in London on April 1. By April 4 the working group had completed its task and the declaration, which reads as follows, was released to the press on April 5:

“For many years the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and France have sought to conclude an Austrian state treaty. They have made ceaseless efforts thus to bring about the restoration of Austrian freedom and independence at the earliest possible moment.

“At the Berlin Conference in 1954 the three governments expressed their readiness to sign the draft state treaty with the Soviet texts of the previously unagreed articles. This would have resulted in the termination of the occupation and the withdrawal of all foreign troops within 3 months of the entry into force of the treaty. But the Soviet Government declined and insisted on putting forward new and unacceptable conditions which would have infringed Austrian sovereignty.

“The three governments have followed closely the recent exchanges between the Austrian Government and the Soviet Government on matters relating to the state treaty. From these exchanges it appears that the Soviet Government may now have certain clarifications to offer regarding their policy toward Austria, in particular on the question of the independence and sovereignty of that country already provided for in the first five articles of the draft treaty. The three governments trust that the decision of the Austrian Government [Page 33] to accept the Soviet invitation to Moscow will result in useful clarifications.

“Questions relating to the conclusion of the state treaty are of concern to the governments of all four responsible powers, as well as to the Austrian Government. The Governments of the United Kingdom, United States and France accordingly consider that if the Soviet Government should offer proposals which hold clear promise of the restoration of freedom and independence to Austria, these could appropriately be discussed by the four Ambassadors in Vienna with the participation of the Austrian Government.

“It remains the earnest desire of the Governments of the United States, United Kingdom and France to conclude the state treaty as soon as possible in conformity with principles which would insure Austria’s full freedom and independence.” (Department of State Bulletin, April 18, 1955, pages 647–648)

Documentation on the formation and discussions of the tripartite working group, including text of the British draft, is in Department of State, Central File 663.001.