840.48 Refugees/8–1644: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 16—4:05 p.m.]
6601. ReDeptel 5529, July 14, 7 p.m. Embassy is airmailing reply of Foreign Office to Embassy’s note conveying objections of WRB to alleged contradictions in British policy regarding escape of refugees to Italy from Balkans.
Foreign Office reiterates that refugees must not be discouraged from escaping to Italy and regrets that WRB should have misconstrued intention of conditions under which Ackermann was appointed to Italy.
Foreign Office, however, agrees with military authorities that influx of refugees into Italy should not increase to an extent to overtax supply and transport there nor place additional burden on military in respect of operation of refugee camps in Middle East and North Africa. It points out that Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean had already informed Combined Chiefs of Staff that existing facilities could not be expanded unless adequate assistance were forthcoming from UNRRA.
Foreign Office also explains that it was not intended to subordinate Ackermann to Displaced Persons Sub-Commission or to confine his activities to investigation only and that conditions mentioned in this connection were rather to ensure his cooperation with other bodies dealing with refugees and to ensure that other organizations concerned would be consulted by him before he might undertake any negotiations with enemy aliens.