Editorial Note
On November 17, Andrei Gromyko, Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister, handed a diplomatic note to Hugh S. Cumming, Jr., United States Chargé in Moscow, which criticized the United States, the United Kingdom, and France for numerous violations of the Italian Peace Treaty in their dealings with Trieste. It specifically cited their failure to appoint a governor of Trieste and their utilization of Trieste as a NATO military base. Two days later, the United States Government issued a press statement refuting these charges. For the text of the Soviet note and the subsequent United States response, see Department of State Bulletin, December 3, 1951, pages 911–913. In contrast to British attempts during December to draft a formal response to the Soviet note, the Department of State opposed the idea of a formal reply because it might adversely affect the negotiations underway between Italy and Yugoslavia concerning Trieste. (Telegram 3102 to London, December 29, 750G.00/12–2151)