740.00119 Control (Italy)/9–2745: Telegram
Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received September 28—2:31 p.m.]
3716. Reference our 3655 Sept. 20, 12 p.m.65 Joint Planning Staff AFHQ met Sept 25 to consider American draft of military and civil affairs agreement with Italy.
The meeting drew attention to differences between British and American drafts in that ours contained no specified time limit for duration of agreement and felt it preferable to have both agreements similar as regards this point. We spoke in favor of no time specification since no one at present time is in a position to know how long it will be necessary for agreement to remain in force and also we feel absence of time specification would be more palatable to Italians. In regard to technical changes suggested by American officers present we urged them every effort should be made to keep language as diplomatic as possible provided necessary military requirements were met. With reference to paragraph 11 (a), we expressed the view that the phrase “any additional allowances granted under Italian law will be paid by Italian Government” might well be changed to indicate that Italian labor will be paid at prevailing rates which will include additional allowances granted by Italian law. Should these payments be placed on Italian Government they might tend to defeat the purpose of drawing up an agreement which would not place too heavy a burden on Italian economy.
At SBC’s (Subcommittee’s) regular meeting this a.m. both British and American drafts were brought up. SAC expressed the view that the two drafts should be as similar as possible and also concurred its recommendation that a special paragraph would be needed to cover the possibilities of conflict arising from similar Italian concessions to both US and British forces. SAC himself spoke in favor of no time specification but added that he did not know reasons why [Page 1056] British time limit of 5 years had been made. He also agreed that American military provisions not included in British draft should be drawn to attention of War Office with suggestion they be inserted if desirable. SAC expressed agreement with American and British observation at AFHQ that payment provisions in British draft might well impede Italian economic rehabilitation which is stated policy of two Governments.
Copies of changes suggested in both plans will be forwarded to Department.
Repeated to London for Dunn as 219.
- Not printed.↩