C.F.M. Files: Lot M–88: Box 2065: Deputies Documents

Memorandum by the French Delegation at the Council of Foreign Ministers 23

secret
C.F.M.(D) (46) 15

Peace Treaty With Italy

Rectification of Franco-Italian Frontier

At the first Conference of Foreign Ministers it was decided that the frontier with France would not be changed, except for such minor adjustments as the French Delegation would lay before the Council.24

These adjustments are summarised hereunder and reproduced on the annexed map,25 subject to exact demarcation on the ground itself.

Rectification No. 1—Little St. Bernard Pass.

The line follows the watershed, leaving the present frontier at a point about 2 kilometres N.W. of the Hospice, crossing the road about 1 kilometre N.E. of the Hospice and rejoining the present frontier about 2 kilometres S.E. of the Hospice.

Rectification No. 2—Mont-Cenis Plateau.

The proposed line leaves the French frontier about 3 kilometres N.W. of the summit of Rochemelon, crosses the road about 4 kilometres [Page 11] S.E. of the Hospice and rejoins the frontier about 4 kilometres N.E. of Mont D’Ambin.

Rectification No. 3—Mont-Thabor-Chaberton.

In the Mont-Thabor area, the line leaves the French frontier about 5 kilometres to the E. of Mont-Thabor and runs south-eastwards to rejoin the French frontier about 2 kilometres W. of the Pointe De Charra.

In the Chaberton area, the line leaves the French frontier about 3 kilometres N. of Chaberton, which it skirts on the E, crosses the road about 1 kilometre from the present frontier, which it rejoins about 2 kilometres S.E. of Montgenevre.

Rectification No. 4—Tenda.

The line leaves the present frontier at Colla Lunga, follows the watershed along Mont Clapier, the Col de Tenda, Mont Marquareis, whence it drops southwards along Mont Caccarello, Mont Vacchi, Mont Pietravecohia, Mont Lega and rejoins the present frontier about 5 kilometres N.E. of Breil. Further to the South the line runs in a generally S.W. direction to rejoin the present frontier about 6 kilometres South-East of Sospel.

[Enclosure]

Statistical Data

Point of
Adjustment
Localities
included
Population Area
(in Sq. Km).
1. Little St. Bernard. None Very small 3
2. Mont Cenis. None Very small 80
3. Area Mont-Thabor-Chaberton. None Very small 61
4. Tenda Area. Tenda San Dalmazzo Brigue a few small villages. 5,000 580
Total 5,000 approx. 720 approx.
  1. This memorandum was taken up by the Deputies of the Foreign Ministers at their 12th meeting on February 11, 1946, at which time the Deputies heard a general statement and detailed explanations by the French Deputy of the rectifications proposed in the memorandum. After hearing further explanations from the French Deputy at their 25th Meeting on March 5, 1946, the Deputies decided to adjourn the discussion of this question. For Dunn’s report on this latter meeting of the Deputies and for the Department of State’s comments on Dunn’s report, see telegrams 2655. March 6, from London, and 2248, March 13, to London, pp. 23 and 28, respectively. This memorandum was subsequently taken up by the Council of Foreign Ministers, Second Session, Third Meeting, April 27, 1946: for the United States Delegation Record and the Record of Decisions of that meeting, see pp. 128 and 138.
  2. The decision referred to here was reached by the Council of Foreign Ministers at its First Session (in London), Third Meeting, September 14, 1945; for the Record of this meeting, see Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. ii, p. 158.
  3. The map is not here printed.