C.F.M. Files: Lot M–88: Box 2111: Delegation Memos
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Director of the Division of Southern European Affairs (Reber)
Count Carandini14a called this afternoon at his request to inquire as to the present state of discussions in respect of the Italian treaty. I outlined the situation to him very briefly, stating that no final agreement had been reached on the question of colonies, reparations or other similar matters.
Carandini said his Government thoroughly understood the British position with respect to a trusteeship for Cyrenaica and would only ask that some of the Italian peasants who formerly had holdings in that area might be allowed to return under the new administration.
With respect to Trieste, he urged that if it were not possible at this time to return Trieste to Italy the final settlement of this area be postponed for a period of, say, five years. He felt that Italy would then be in a better position insofar as its own internal political structure was concerned and might be better able to negotiate on this question than at present. He reiterated de Gasperi’s statement that no government in Italy could survive if it agreed at this time to the separation of Trieste.
As to the Navy, he said that Italy hoped that the surplus of its vessels could be turned over to a United Nations pool. The Navy could accept such a solution, but he feared that if an effort should be made to hoist the Red flag on Italian ships the government would have difficulty in restraining scuttling.
[Page 360]Under instructions from de Gasperi, Carandini has just seen Bidault to ask if French and Italian experts could not jointly find a solution for the Tenda-Briga region which would mean that neither side lost the entire area. Italy would be prepared to accept a division if that would satisfy the French. In any event, the French and Italian experts are to begin conversations on this subject either today or early next week.
- Nicolo Carandini, Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom.↩