865.01/9–2644: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
2441. To implement the joint statement on Italy of the President and Prime Minister (Department’s 2295 of September 26, 6 p.m.4), the British Government informed the Department that it intended to accredit its representative in Rome formally to the Italian Government and that he should have in future direct access to the Italian Government rather than through the Allied Control Commission as at present. In considering the British proposal the Department has requested the views of the other American Republics in accordance with its obligations under the Resolutions of Rio de Janeiro dated January 1942. The response of the other American Republics has been unanimously in favor of resuming direct relations with the Italian Government. Consequently the Department has decided to resume full diplomatic relations with the Italian Government and has so informed the British Government and the other American Republics. The President has approved the appointment of Alexander Kirk as United States Ambassador to Italy. Mr. Kirk has been instructed to obtain the agreement to his appointment. It is contemplated that public announcement of resumption of diplomatic relations with Italy will be made on October 265 by this Government and by the Governments of the other American Republics. Mr. Kirk’s nomination cannot be sent to the Senate for confirmation until after it reconvenes on November 14, and he will of course not be able to present his letters of credence until after that date. You should inform the Soviet Foreign Office of the above and state that should the Soviet Government wish to accredit formally its representative in Rome, it might wish to take this occasion to do so. It has been suggested to the British Government that it may wish to announce the resumption of relations with Italy on October 26 in concert with the American Republics.