865.6363/8–1745: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 17—5:55 p.m.]
8329. Embtel 6833, July 6.51 Ministry Fuel Power consider it most desirable that communication on oil supply arrangement be presented to Italian Government before military turn over oil control in Italy. Ministry states it is pressed by both military and British Embassy Rome and believes that if there is no major disagreement [Page 1314] between our two Governments on texts of communications British. Government may find it preferable to present its note promptly to Italian Government leaving us to present our communication when we desire rather than wait longer for full agreement between us on text. Is foregoing satisfactory to Department? Reference communication May 7 to Italian Government concerning discrimination favoring AGIP and Italian note verbale June 2652 denying such discrimination and stating that no previous complaint regarding latter had been made. Ministry Fuel Power feel it desirable for record that Italian Government’s attention be called also at early date by British Government to numerous British communications on this subject before the war.