501.BB/11–2648: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain American Diplomatic Offices 1
us urgent to action countries
Position US will take in GA re disposition former Italian Colonies is as follows:
1) Brit trusteeship for Cyrenaica; 2) Postponement for one year decision on Tripolitania and Fezzan, which would be studied during that period by appropriate organ UN with view to making recommendations [Page 962] on future of territories at next regular session GA, former Italian residents to be permitted return their homes in interim; 3) Italian trusteeship for Somaliland; 4) cession Eritrea to Ethiopia except for that northern section known as “Western Province”.
An oral approach to Govt to which you are accredited to gain support for this position by explaining it clearly is matter both urgency and importance (problem may arise GA Nov 29). You should consult with your Brit colleague best method approach, whether jointly or separately, whether to Chief of State or Fonmin, etc. (no joint approach in American Republics). US Delegation Paris will also approach Delegation of country to which you are accredited. (See Dept Bulletin, Vol. XIX, No. 482, Sept 26.)
Your approach should take following general line but Dept leaves to your discretion which points to emphasize:
- a)
- While US aware position may not be completely satisfactory to everyone, we sincerely believe that on whole it represents fairest and most generally satisfactory solution.
- b)
- In case of Libya, we have great sympathy for expressed desires of local inhabitants for independence. In considering our position on this territory, however, we have found it necessary to give weight to two important factors. First is fact there is not sufficient community of interest between Cyrenaicans and Tripolitanians to make practical a united Libya at this time. Second is fact neither Cyrenaicans nor Tripolitanians ready for independence at this time, fact recognized by Four Power Commission of investigation which was sent to territories in accordance terms Italian Peace Treaty. Both Cyrenaica and Tripolitania will require guidance and assistance before they are able stand on own feet. Since trusteeship system devised to meet just such situation, we feel both territories should receive guidance and assistance which they will require by establishing trusteeship.
- c)
- In case of Cyrenaica, Great Britain is, in our opinion, admirably and best suited to be trustee. Relations between Brit and Cyrenaicans are cordial, and we believe Brit have given abundant evidence their good faith in leading dependent peoples toward self-government and independence. Furthermore, security non-communist world depends in large measure on Brit maintaining strong position in Mediterranean-Middle Eastern area, and importance in this regard of Brit trusteeship for Cyrenaica is obvious by reason of geographic position of area. This Govt’s sympathy with present Italian Govt is well known. We have exerted every effort since war to strengthen present Italian regime, and ensure that new democratic Italy assumes proper place in family of nations. In line with this general policy, this Govt looks [Page 963] with favor on principle of participation of Italy in administration her former colonies in Africa, and for that reason is advocating Ital Somaliland be placed under Ital trusteeship. For similar reasons and in recognition of problems imposed on Italy by demographic pressure, we feel most strongly that former Italian residents of Tripolitania should be permitted return their homes.
- In case Cyrenaica, however, violent hostility of local inhabitants toward Italy coupled with Great Britain’s war-time pledge that area would never again be placed under Ital administration precludes in our opinion any consideration of Italy as trustee for Cyrenaica.
- d)
- As regards Tripolitania this Govt has rejected possibility immediate independence for much same reasons as in case Cyrenaica. We have discarded possibility multi-lateral or direct UN trusteeship as administratively impractical and politically dangerous in light of world situation as it has developed since end World War II. We believe single power trusteeship most desirable but have been unable decide which power best fitted assume responsibility and because of wide divergency opinions this subject and complexity problem we consider additional year study by UN fairest and most just approach to problem.
- e)
- Re Somaliland, we feel Italian trusteeship most desirable solution. Administration this territory will afford govt of new democratic Italy chance it so earnestly desires to demonstrate its ability take share in task of educating and assisting backward people.
- f)
- Our proposal for cession of greater part Eritrea to Ethiopia is based on Ethiopia’s claim for access to sea (only port worthy of name is Massawa), economic ties between two countries, and fact that large proportion of population is kin to northern Ethiopians by race and religion. We have proposed outright cession this territory to Ethiopia because it is obvious that Eritrea’s economic and political future lies naturally with Ethiopia. We are not advocating cession of Western Province to Ethiopia since problems raised by its predominantly Moslem population seem to us to make postponement and further study advisable.
You will note that many of above comments are designed for countries which may favor return of Ital administration to other of her former colonies than Somaliland and such arguments will not be needed or at any rate probably should not be emphasized in those countries which have little or no pro-Italian sentiments.
Report immediately reactions your approach and repeat your replies Paris for US Del and to London.
-
Secretary Marshall had left Paris on November 21, 1948, for Washington, and did not return to Paris.
This circular telegram was sent to missions in Bolivia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greece, Haiti, Iran, Liberia, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, Siam, Turkey, Colombia, Uruguay, Panama for action.
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