740.00119 Control (Italy)/12–1245: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:38 p.m.]
4018. Prior to receipt of Dept’s 2315 December 1062 the French representative here told me that in connection with matter of French Ital frontier he has found a certain discrepancy in info received from Paris and views expressed in AFHQ as well as in AC and asked [Page 753] me to clarify. I replied that I thought it would be more satisfactory for his Govt to sound out Washington and London on the subject.
He went on to say that his Govt was much interested in the maintenance of the 15 mile zone free from Ital troops not out of fear of border incidents but because the presence of Ital troops in an area which the French regarded as in dispute constituted more of a “symbol” of sovereignty that Ital administration of the area and policing by Carabinieri and although the French did not claim all the 15 mile zone they did not want any arrangements there to prejudice an ultimate rectification of frontiers.
I merely pointed out that granted the principle of maintenance of the 1939 boundaries until altered by international settlement there was school of thought to effect that any preliminary disposition in a so-called disputed area which impaired the recognized sovereignty in that area pending an ultimate solution might be regarded as inconsistent with the foregoing principle and asked if his Govt was contemplating direct negotiation with Itals on frontier matter. To that inquiry he replied in affirmative.
Sent Dept 4018, repeated Paris 279.