865.014/10–747

Memorandum of Conversation, by James J. Durnan of the Division of African Affairs

confidential
Participants: Mr. Mario di Stefano, Italian Minister
Mr. Joseph Palmer 2nd, AF
Mr. James J. Durnan, AF

Mr. di Stefano, in referring to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers’ Deputies in London, stated that he had noted items in the press indicating a disagreement in connection with the definition of the term “interested governments” as used in the Italian Peace Treaty and inquired as to the exact nature of the disagreement. Mr. Palmer informed Mr. di Stefano that the US had proposed the “interested governments” should comprise those countries whose forces fought in Africa on the side of the Allies during the last war and those who have made territorial claims in the former Italian Colonies, i.e., Italy, Ethiopia and Egypt. The British proposed that the term should be unrestricted with any government privileged to submit its views both on procedural matters and on the question of the disposition of the colonies. The Soviet proposal, which had been accepted by the French, would limit [Page 608] the interested governments to the Allied and Associated Powers which had signed the Italian Peace Treaty plus those which had made territorial claims. Asked as to our views on the latter two proposals, Mr. Palmer stated that we would probably support the British proposal, but if this was not found acceptable to the other Deputies we would agree to the Soviet proposal.

Mr. di Stefano then inquired as to our views with respect to the Soviet contention that the peace treaty required two Commissions of Investigation to be sent to the former Italian Colonies. Mr. Palmer stated that we favored one Commission for reasons based largely on economy, difficulty in finding experienced personnel, and uniformity of standards used in evaluating conditions in each colony. Mr. di Stefano referred to a letter received from Mr. Henderson in March 1947,1 and inquired as to the Department’s position with respect to an Italian representative being heard by the Commission in the colonies. Mr. Palmer stated that while we could not give any support to the Italian request for an Italian representative to be attached to the Commission, we would support any request which might be presented to the Deputies for the Commission to hear the views of an Italian representative in the colonies. Mr. di Stefano then inquired as to whether we would present such a proposal at the meeting of the Deputies and was informed that while we would not take any initiative in the matter we would give it support if the question was raised by any other government, including the Italian Government.

Mr. di Stefano discussed at length the long historic ties between Italy and North Africa, the friendly relations which existed and continued to exist between the Italian peasant settlers and Arabs in North Africa, the benefits derived by the Arabs in Libya from Italian administration, and the pressing need for Italy to find an outlet for its surplus population. Mr. di Stefano stated if Libya was disposed of other than as a trust territory under the individual or joint administration of Italy there would be serious troubles in North Africa. Asked to elaborate on this point, Mr. di Stefano stated that unless Italy returned to Libya in some capacity it would have no alternative but to collaborate with the Arabs for the expulsion of France and Great Britain from North Africa. In response to Mr. Palmer’s inquiry as to the benefits Italy expected to derive should such an event materialize, Mr. di Stefano was not entirely clear other than to say that Italy had received overtures from the Arabs and would be installed in North Africa on the basis of equality with the Arabs.

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Mr. di Stefano stated he had heard that the U.S. was considering the acquisition of Libya as a trust territory and inquired as to the accuracy of this report. Mr. Palmer stated that this was one of many press reports expressing different views on the question of the disposition of the Italian Colonies. Asked as to whether the Department had formulated any views on the disposition of the Italian Colonies, Mr. Palmer stated that the matter was being studied and that no decision had been reached as yet. Pressed on the point, Mr. Palmer stated that he did not feel at liberty to discuss the matter further. Mr. di Stefano remarked that he felt certain conclusions might be drawn from the discussion but was informed by Mr. Palmer that it would be a grave mistake for Mr. di Stefano to infer that we had already made up our minds on the question of the disposition of the Italian Colonies. Mr. di Stefano then inquired as to the position of the other Powers and was informed that we had no information on the subject.

  1. The reference here is to a letter of March 7, 1947, not printed, from Loy W. Henderson to di Stefano, which repeated the substance of paragraph 2 of telegram 297, March 1, to Rome, p. 570. Henderson’s letter was in response to di Stefano’s letter of February 18, 1947, not printed, regarding Italian participation in the Commission of Investigation to be sent to the former Italian colonies. (805.014/2–1847)