Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Foreign Minister of Austria Dr. Karl Gruber, Ambassador of Austria Max Lowenthal, and James C. Bonbright

1906 DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation 1048 326 (Dec. 4) 388 DATE: December 5, 1952 SUBJECT: PARTICIPANTS: The Austrian Foreign Minister, Dr. Gruber The Secretary of State The Austrian Ambassador, Dr. Max Loewenthal EUR - Mr. Bonbright COPIES TO: s/s, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Matthews, EUR -Mr. Perkins, BUR -Mr. Williamson, C - Mr. . Bohlen, WE u. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 The Austrian Foreign Minister came to see me this morning The following subjects were touched on: (1) Austrian item in the General Assembly. Dr. Gruber stated that it made little difference to him whether the discussion of this item took place in the Political Committee or the Ad Hoe Committee. In his view there were two factors of importance: (a) to have the discussion in the committee where they would get the most favorable votes and (b) to have the discussion in whichever committee would insure completion of the item by Christmas. He was under no illusions that discuasion in the General Assembly would lead to conclusion of a peace treaty but he streased the importance to Austrian morale of keeping his country's case in the public eye. (2) Future of Europe. Dr. Gruber asked me for any views on European developments in the next few months with particular reference to the attitude of the Soviet Union. I told him that I did not foresse any great changes. I said that if the EDC were to fail of ratification or if the Western powers showed signs of faltering in the pursuit of their aims, the Russians would doubtless endeavor to exploit such failures. On the other hand, if the EDC is ratified and we continue on our chosen path, we may in time expect the Russians to begin to ad just themselves to the situation. DECLASSIFIED E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, 10.2026 By NLI-HC NARS Date 11-30-16