740.00119 Control (Italy)/11–2845: Telegram

The Ambassador in France ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State

6847. Bidault told me last night he is much concerned over a report they have received that our troops in the Tende region on the Franco-Italian frontier are to be withdrawn on December 1. He said that if our troops are withdrawn and the Italian carabinieri enter the Tende region, there will inevitably be conflict between the French “Partisans” in that region and the Italian carabinieri. He said that they had understood that under an agreement (he could not remember the date) signed between SAC and the French military authorities, our troops were to remain there for some further time. Bidault makes a strong appeal to retain at least a token force of American troops in that region.

Sent Dept 6847, repeat Rome 226.

Caffery