665.001/9–1051
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Western European Affairs (Byington)1
Subject: Italian Peace Treaty
| Participants: | Mr. K.D. Jamieson—British Embassy |
| Mr. Homer M. Byington, Jr.—WE | |
| Mr. Howard J. Hilton—WE |
Mr. Jamieson called to inform the Department of the general comments made by the Foreign Office on the Department’s Memorandum of September 1,2 concerning revision of the Italian Peace Treaty. The detailed comments are being sent by pouch to the Embassy. Mr. Jamieson said that the Foreign Office had found the Department’s Memorandum helpful and had taken it into account in the preparation of the position papers for the Foreign Minister Meetings.3 The Foreign Office now agreed with the necessity of public action to remove the stigma of the Treaty as well as the military restrictions and thus to recognize the position which Italy now occupies.
The Foreign Office is concerned, however, about the effect of such action on Yugoslavia and this concern raises questions as to the timing of action. Without prior agreement on Trieste and the settlement of reparations, the Foreign Office feels that action on the Italian Treaty would meet opposition from Yugoslavia. Since negotiations with Yugoslavia over Trieste may be delayed for some time, the Foreign Office now proposes the issuance of a tripartite declaration, a draft of which is attached.4 This declaration would meet the requirement for prompt action and yet would permit a period required for adherence by other signatories for bilateral negotiations between Italy and Yugoslavia on Trieste before final action is taken on the other parts of the Treaty. He added that the strength of Italian public opinion required such a declaration.
Mr. Jamieson referred to our statement that action should in any event be taken prior to the conclusion of the German settlement and expressed the opinion that such a settlement would not be reached as promptly as the Secretary hopes.
I mentioned to Mr. Jamieson my inference from his remarks that the Foreign Office was prepared to accept our proposals for formal action. He replied that the Foreign Office appeared prepared to accept our suggestions concerning the procedure for accomplishing formal revision with perhaps some substantive modifications. It was concerned primarily, as he had already indicated, over the question of timing and over the importance of a Trieste settlement. He added that the Foreign Office wished to narrow the differences as much as possible prior to the meeting of the Foreign Ministers in order that such meeting could advance the area of agreement among the three powers. He suggested that a joint meeting be held with the French to discuss the question of a declaration.
[Page 658]I replied that we would have to investigate the question of timing and the desirability of a declaration and that I would get in touch with him as soon as possible. I emphasized the importance which we attach to Italian initiative in this matter and of formal action based on such initiative. We recognize that the British declaration as now drafted, provides for Italian initiative but in such a way that the Italian request might be much more inclusive than could be granted. Such a request might be embarrassing to all concerned. To avoid this, it would be necessary to reach some agreement with the Italians on the nature of the request that might be made. I pointed out that this action was contemplated under the procedure which we had proposed.
Mr. Jamieson in acknowledging these comments reiterated the necessity for a Trieste settlement and of some form of public action in the near future. He felt that the declaration would serve this purpose and would also provide a good basis for DeGasperi’s visit to the United States. It was agreed that we would consider the proposals made by him and that I would inform him later regarding our views. For his part he promised to inform us as soon as the detailed comments were received from the Foreign Office.