865.014/4–347: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom
1762. Urtel 2069, Apr 3. Aide-mémoire of April 10 from Australian Embassy1 sets forth Australia’s desire to participate actively in disposal Italian Colonies. Specific requests made for Australia to (1) discuss with Deputies terms of reference and composition Commission of Investigation (2) participate in actual work Commission as member (3) receive Commission’s report in sufficient time to express its views. Furthermore, Australia sought inclusion all interested Govts on Commission, and hearing for Australia before CFM.
Dept has informed Emb it favors affording all interested Govts, including Australia, every opportunity present views to Deputies, and, in appropriate instances, would not object to hearings before CFM. Dept stated, however, that it considers such Govts, with perhaps exception those having direct territorial claims, should deal directly with Deputies rather than Commission on all points raised. Dept opposed participation other interested Govts in work of Commission and pointed out that this body was intended to be quadripartite and would be unworkable if other Govts included. It would not object to Deputies receiving suggestions concerning terms of reference and composition conference from nor oppose furnishing Commission’s reports to other interested Govts.
Emb was assured this Govt favored giving every proper consideration to views Australian Govt on final disposal Italian Colonies.2
- Not printed.↩
- The views of the United States described here were conveyed to Australian Minister Alfred Sterling by Acting Secretary Acheson during a conversation on April 10 and in a Department of State aide-mémoire to the Australian Embassy, dated April 21, 1947, not printed (740.00119 Council/4–1047).↩