320/11–1751: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
priority
Delga 225. Subj: Italy’s views on migration problem and Ital membership in UN. Ital Amb to France, Pietro Quaroni, called on Secy Nov 15 and first brought up migration ques. He said his govt fully understood US position this subj at recent Naples conf, and wanted only to stress Italy’s interest in continuing work on migration and to urge US participation and leadership therein. He said that Italy is not developing grandiose schemes, but is very eager that Brussels mtg produce concrete results in form of continuation of present flow of migration.
[Page 393]Secy told Amb that US is in agreement with Ital Govt on this ques; that we were under certain limitations at Naples conf which Ital Govt understood; that we intended to work at Brussels for arrangements which would keep fleet of ships in operation with purpose of continuing flow of emigration for another year, and that we had appropriated funds for this purpose.
Amb Quaroni then raised ques of Ital membership in UN, addressing himself principally to res proposed by Fr in Comite 4. When asked whether this res was considered helpful by Ital Govt, Amb Quaroni replied that it would be so considered only if US, UK and Fr have plans which go beyond expected Russian veto in SC; that is to say, the matter would not be allowed to die in SC, but would be revived in some form in the GA after expected veto. Amb Quaroni was not clear as to what form a renewed effort in the SC, after expected veto, might take. He finally said that his govt would be satisfied with some “demonstration” which could be interpreted by Ital people as indicating that Assembly would not rest content with a veto of Italy’s membership application.
Secy said to Amb that each time we take a sounding of Ital Govts attitude with respect to a suggested procedure in this matter, we get a different result. He said that we are not inclined to attempt to override the Charter in this matter, altho we are sincerely desirous of finding a formula which would be helpful to the De Gasperi govt. He asked whether the Ital Govt had considered possibility of being voted into most of the organs of the UN with the right to participate in every respect except voting. Amb replied that this had been suggested before and that his govt did not consider it a satis solution.
Subsequent conversation between Rep Vorys, USGADel staff and Guidotti1 showed clearly that Guidotti thinks Ital Govt would not be satisfied with result of Comite 4 res as now envisaged by US, UK and French but expect much more than that as consequence of tripartite statement. Matter now stands with Itals as follows: They will check with Rome on whether or not Ital Govt desires three govts to proceed with res in Comite 4 and will communicate Ital Govt’s views on Mon.
USGADel’s action this matter has been based on premise that it is better to be forthright with Itals at outset than to embark on course of action, the conclusion of which they and we regard differently.
- See Hyde memorandum of conversation, November 15, infra.↩