Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

860S.00/8–2147: Telegram

The Acting Political Adviser (Greene), at Leghorn, to the Secretary of State

secret

Leghorn, August 21, 1947—8 p. m.

148. G–5 has now replied on question of relations between free territory and Italy prior assumption of office by Governor (my telegram 132, July 24, repeated Rome 62, Belgrade 24¹) that various annexes of peace treaty appear provide for most problems and therefore G–5 does not consider that any action along lines I had suggested is desirable. Since General Airey is now establishing planning board in Trieste to consider all aspects of problems which will confront him as Governor Anglo-American zone I shall let matter rest there for time being.

Re Duino agreement I learned during recent visit to Trieste that British Treasury had instructed GHQ that since Duino agreement terminates when treaty in force and Yugoslavs have ratified, GHQ should continue provide services which may be required by Yugoslav personnel stationed in Anglo-American zone of free territory only against payment in sterling. GHQ wrote Yugoslav military mission accordingly on July 4 and on July 19 Yugoslav Fourth Army replied expressing agreement that Duino agreement lapses when Italian treaty in force. In these circumstances it would appear that question of determining when Duino agreement lapses no longer arises. Recent British Embassy Washington telegram to Foreign Office repeated to my British colleague attributes to Department view that Duino agreement lapses in toto with armistice regime when treaty comes into force.

Same telegram which was stated had been based on discussion with British Embassy of my 132, reported Department feels General Airey should have full powers as provisional governor when free territory established. Presume that if Department’s view correctly reported, Department was referring only to General Airey’s powers in Anglo-American zone. In any case prior to seeing this telegram I had told General Airey and others concerned that I concur in assumption that intent, of Article I Annex 7 of Treaty is that Yugoslavia will administer their zone while General Airey administers Anglo-American zone (as directed in Fan 720²) and will not be under his command. General Airey envisages that he and the Yugoslav commander in the first [free?] territory will settle matters which affect their respective zones on an ad hoc and provisional basis until Governor arrives. Grateful for Department’s comments on foregoing.

Sent Department 148; repeated Belgrade 27, Rome 69.

Greene

1. In this telegram, not printed, Greene reported that the military authorities had raised the question of relations of the Allied administration of the Free Territory with Italy and Yugoslavia pending the arrival of the Governor, Greene had opined that it was for the Governments to settle such matters through diplomatic channels rather than for AFHQ. Greene further offered the view that it was for the Governments to decide whether or not the Duino and Belgrade Agreements lapsed with the treaty’s coming into force. (860S.00/7–2447)
2. Ante, p. 58.