The History Of The Negotiations Of The Austrian State Treaty Of 1955

This study provides a comprehensive examination of the East–West occupation of Austria from the end of World War II to the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955. Examining US, Soviet, British, French, and Austrian sources, the authors trace the complex negotiation process that led to the signing of the treaty.

By virtue of its geographical and historical position, postwar Austria was condemned to a prominent role in the plans of both the East and the West. In this account of an unusual episode in the Cold War, Audrey Kurth Cronin examines the negotiations over Austria and the Soviet Union's sudden and surprising decision to withdraw its troops and accept the country as a neutral Western state, after having rejected any settlement for eight years. Drawing on a wealth of recently declassified British and American documents and on interviews with key Austrian participants, Cronin analyzes the events leading up to the 1955 Austrian State Treaty and, in the process, strengthens our understanding of current East-West relations. Her account of the creation of a neutral state in the heart of a divided Europe will be important reading for all who are concerned with security affairs, international relations, and the history of the Cold War.

The Austrian State Treaty of 15 May 1955 is one of the main founding documents of the Austrian Second Republic. Moreover, it is also one of the most important international treaties that has been signed in the post-war decade. In 33 articles by renowned historians, specialists in international law and diplomats, this anthology presents the history of the State Treaty's genesis in the networks of international relations during the Cold War, the implementation of important provisions, and its relevance for international law and Austrian identity after the break up of the bipolar system and Austria's admittance to the European Union. Hitherto unknown documents from, among others, American, Yugoslavian, Finnish, Polish and Italian archives as well asthose of the former Soviet Union are presented, throwing new light on the Treaty's nine-year negotiation process as well as its position in international awareness.

In Vienna on May 15, 1955, representatives of the Soviet, American, British, French, and Austrian governments signed a "State Treaty" restoring Austria's full sovereignty after seven years of Anschluss with Germany and ten years of "Allied" occupation. Vienna itself had been divided into five zones and occupied by foreign troops of four different nationalities and even more races. The Viennese were fond of relating how they had secretly listened to Allied radio broadcasts during the war: "The Soviet Union calls Austria," the announcer would intone; or "America calls Austria," or "Britain calls Austria." "We didn't call anyone," the Viennese would then explain, "but now they're all here." At the time of the State Treaty the words of the popular song weren't changed from "Wien, Wien, nur du allein" to "Wien, Wien, endlich allein"--but it may have been considered. Sven Allard, Swedish Minister (later Ambassador) to Austria from 1954 to 1964, had an unparalleled opportunity to follow the developments leading to the sudden signing of the treaty: A close friend of Bruno Kreisky, the State Secretary of the Austrian Foreign Office and later Foreign Minister, he also enjoyed the confidence of Llewellyn E. Thompson, the U.S. High Commissioner. Soviet diplomats also confided in Ambassador Allard from time to time. Now retired from the diplomatic service, the author has analyzed the political background and explained the motives for Moscow's unexpected about-face. His book is especially topical for the light it throws on the comparable problem of divided Germany.