875.01/8–1244: Telegram
Mr. Robert D. Murphy, Political Adviser, Allied Force Headquarters, to the Secretary of State
Caserta
, August
12, 1944—2 p.m.
[Received 9:33 p.m.]
[Received 9:33 p.m.]
114. AFHQ has instructed Balkan Air Force that a polite but definite refusal is to be made to request of LNC for recognition as the de facto government of Albania (see my 68, August 327). The small LNC mission at Bari, purely military in character, is approved on understanding that there is no question setting up an LNC base in Italy.
Murphy
- Not printed; in this telegram Mr. Murphy reported on the progress of discussions then taking place between three representatives of the Albanian National Liberation Committee and the Political Committee of the Balkan Air Force at Bari. The Albanian delegates had requested recognition of the National Liberation Committee as the de facto government of Albania until fighting had stopped and a plebiscite could be held. They also asked permission to establish a permanent military mission of two or three members in Italy. (875.01/8–344)↩