Word: austrian
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...serve as the first line of resistance. This course, the aim of Western foreign policy for the past four years, was assured only two months ago with the ratification of the Paris pacts. In the near future, the West cannot afford to lose German forces and bases. Already the Austrian treaty has driven a neutral spike into the Western defense forcing removal of troops from Austria and cutting off Italy from direct communication with NATO forces in Germany. The neutralization of Germany would force a complete realignment of defenses and would probably mean a large-scale withdrawal of U.S. troops...
From that moment on, the treaty was ready for signature. Its main provisions: ¶ Restore Austrian independence by promising to withdraw the 60,000 occupation troops "within ninety days"; ¶ Establish Austria's boundaries as they were on Jan. 1, 1938. and forbid another Anschluss with Germany; ¶ Respect Austria's territorial integrity. Additionally, the Big Four are expected to promise to "recognize and observe" Austria's neutrality...
Austria's Foreign Minister Leopold Figl had gone out of his way to say that Austrian independence was "particularly due to American help." When Molotov arrived from Warsaw (see above), all grinny with benevolence, Figl greeted him at the airport with a good-natured but double-edged reference to Austria's ten years of occupation. "Now you come as a real liberator," Figl told Molotov...
...Austrians' earnest request the Big Four agreed to eliminate a war-guilt clause written into the treaty. Then, after the signing, Figl led the four foreign ministers onto the balcony of Belvedere Palace. A cheering crowd went wild when the Austrian waved a copy of the treaty over his head. Molotov, Dulles, Macmillan and Pinay clasped hands together and solemnly held them aloft. That gesture, too, brought down the house...
EISENHOWER and Zhukov exchange letters; the Russians back down on the Austrian peace treaty; a Big Four meeting is proposed; Soviet leaders plan a friendly visit to Tito...