Foreign Relations of the United States, 1951, Europe: Political and Economic Developments, Volume IV, Part 1

No. 101

750G.00/8–351: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy ¹

top secret

Washington, August 4, 1951—3 p.m.

605. Dept considers situation which has developed re specific question Trieste elections in context Trieste problem offers possibilities moving toward solution latter, through Ital-Yugo agreement in package revision Ital Peace Treaty. Dept requests addressees’ comments on fol, which Dept wld propose to Brit and Fr to assure joint action.

1. If Mates agreeable, AmEmbassy Rome wld inform Ital FonOff substance Mates remarks to Beam (Belgrade tel 144 Aug 2² and Rome tel 603 Aug 3³).

2. At time of informing de Gasperi of Yugo views, AmEmbassy Rome wld inform de Gasperi we wld be agreeable indefinite postponement elections Trieste as he has requested (Rome tel 596 Aug 3)⁴ on clear understanding Ital Govt wld utilize opportunity to make serious effort reach agreement with Yugo Govt on settlement FTT problem. Wld also be explained to de Gasperi that AMG must be in position give public reason for deferring elections, and we wld therefore authorize AMG issue carefully timed statement that it is so doing in order to facilitate efforts reach mutually satisfactory agreement on Trieste in connection larger problem revision Ital Peace Treaty.

3. Before announcement of postponement elections Yugo will be informed of pending action and purpose thereof.

4. Will be essential have Brit and Fr prior concurrence even though only Brit and US might approach Itals as Fr not directly concerned with immediate question elections. Wld expect, however, that Fr wld appropriately support our action.

Acheson

1. Drafted by Greene and cleared with Williamson, Higgs, and Campbell; sent also to Belgrade and USPolAd in Trieste and repeated to London and Paris.
2. (665.001/8–251)
3. Telegram 603 contained a request that the Embassy in Rome be allowed to inform De Gasperi of Mates’ comments to Beam described in footnote 2 above. (750G.0221/8–351)
4. Telegram 596 summarized Ambassador Dunn’s first conversation with De Gasperi since he formed his new government. De Gasperi used the occasion to make a strong plea for the adoption by the AMG of the system of linked parties for use in the forthcoming elections in Trieste. If this could not be done, he then requested that the elections be postponed for 6 months or a year. (750G.00/8–351)