865.01/2288
The Department of State to the Embassy of the Soviet Union
Memorandum
The statements of the Soviet Government, in reply to representations made by the British Ambassador at Moscow on March 13, 1944 concerning the establishment of direct relations with Italy and the exchange of representatives, have been noted. The Ambassador’s courtesy in bringing the views of his Government in this regard promptly to the attention of the United States Government is appreciated.
The Department agrees with the view of the Soviet Embassy that, in accordance with the terms of reference, the Advisory Council for Italy is not the “official instrument of the Allied Governments for contact with the Italian Government”. It must be observed, however, that the idea of the Advisory Council as conceived during the Moscow Conference was to establish the principle of allied as against individual approach to political questions in the liberated areas of Italy, including relations with the Italian Government. The entire purpose of the arrangements established by the Moscow Conference was precisely to avoid the seeking by individual members of the Allied nations of special advantage and to insure unity of action among the Allies in dealing with Italian problems.
[Page 1086]The Soviet Government is undoubtedly aware that one of the functions of the Allied Control Commission for Italy, as established by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, is to be the organ through which the policy of the United Nations is conducted with respect to the Italian Government and through which the relations of the United Nations with the Italian Government are conducted. While it is true that the relationship of a Control Commission with the Italian Government is established by Articles 37 and 42 of the “long terms” of surrender, the broad scope of its functions and authority are provided by the various directives from the Combined Chiefs of Staff and the Commander-in-Chief. Furthermore, the terms of surrender signed on September 3 and September 29, 1943 are comprehensive and, in carrying out its function of enforcing the terms of surrender, the Control Commission and the Allied representatives on that body are required to deal with the Italian Government with respect to every phase of Italian political, economic and military life. Consequently, the Department finds it difficult to agree with the Soviet belief that Allied contacts with the Government of Italy through the Control Commission are limited.
Furthermore, the Department cannot accept the contention of the Soviet Government that it has been denied “up to the present time” direct contact with the Italian Government and thus has found itself in an unequal position, compared with the British and American Governments. The Combined Chiefs of Staff approved the appointment of a Soviet representative to the Allied Control Commission in January. Since that time General Solodovnik has been an active member of the Control Commission and has had the same opportunity for contacts with the Italian Government as have his British and American colleagues. As has been previously stated, the Control Commission is the established organ through which the relations of the United Nations with the Italian Government are conducted and the Soviet Government is represented on that body. In view of the Allied nature of the Control Commission its relations with the Italian Government have, of course, a united character which do not permit individual or separate approach by any one of the Allied Governments represented therein or by the French Committee of National Liberation.
With reference to the second portion of the Soviet note, the United States Government agrees with the Soviet Government that a solution to the present political crisis in Italy is urgently required. It is grateful for the views of the Soviet Government in this regard and it may be said that the Government of the United States is in general accord with the Soviet views and recommendations. This Government considers it essential that a solution to the present political [Page 1087] crisis in Italy be reached not later than the liberation of Rome and earlier if possible. Furthermore, it would like to see representatives of the six opposition parties brought into the Italian Government at the earliest possible moment and believes that the reasonable and constructive proposal put forward by the Executive Junta is the most satisfactory solution.
The Government of the United States desires that a solution should be worked out among the various United Nations at present directly interested in Italian affairs and considers the Advisory Council for Italy the appropriate place to work out a solution satisfactory to the various United Nations concerned. It proposes to instruct its representative on the Advisory Council to place on the agenda for consideration by an early session of the Council the problems involved in the present Italian political situation.