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

No. 91

750G.00/2–2651: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy ¹

secret   priority

Washington, February 26, 1951—6 p.m.

3778. Trieste tel 464 Feb 16, rptd Rome 95, London 11.² Dept shares Gen Airey’s concern over Ital policy of attempting to assert Ital sovereignty over Zone A. Ital actions including appt Palutan as prefect, incorrect involvement Ital Mission Trieste in local politics, attempts influence local admin; transfers di ruolo personnel without consultation with AMG, failure discussions establishment appeals procedure in Trieste etc cannot be ignored. At same time Dept also aware Ital grievances outlined Rome’s 3685 Feb 23, rptd London 418, Trieste 104.³ We believe best initial approach wld be mtg with Ital officials along lines suggested Rome’s 3684 Feb 23, rptd London 417, Trieste 103.⁴ Suggest desirability including AMG Rep in this discussion. Discuss with Brit FonOff and Brit colleagues Rome, Trieste possibility arranging such mtg.

In any gen presentation of our position emphasize fol points:

1. US and UK Govts jointly responsible for admin Zone A Trieste, not out of own desire, but in execution obligations under Ital Peace Treaty.

2. Since Ital sovereignty over FTT was terminated by Art 21 upon entry into force of Peace Treaty, AMG Trieste has legal responsibility to Security Council UN for admin Zone A just as Yugo has this same responsibility for admin Zone B.

3. US cannot abrogate its share of responsibility to Security Council for admin Zone by permitting arrogation Ital sovereignty over Zone A until some settlement is reached under which US wld be relieved of its responsibility.

4. Coop and assistance in development and admin Zone A extended by Ital Govt to AMG greatly appreciated as AMG has publicly recognized and will reiterate in forthcoming report to Security Council.

5. It is desire of US that relations between AMG and Ital Govt be close, and involve full and frank expressions of views in spirit of friendliness and recognition of common purpose, but this cannot be the case, if Ital Govt shld pursue a policy which threatens involve it in public conflict with AMG and indirectly US and UK and UN over interpretation and application Ital Peace Treaty.

6. US therefore hopes that there will be no repetition actions by either side which implicitly raise question sovereignty FTT.

7. Ital shld be assured that proposal Mar 20, 1948 for return FTT to Italy continues to reflect US policy.

Brit Emb has been informed.

Webb

1. Drafted by Howard J. Hilton of the Office of Western European Affairs and cleared with Greene, Colladay, Williamson, Bonbright, Coe of BNA, Marcy of EE, Stein of UNP, and Land of L/GER; sent also priority to London and USPolAd in Trieste.
2. Telegram 464 listed in detail the actions that the Italian Government initiated in its attempt to extend its sovereignty over Trieste during the previous 3-month period. General Airey and his U.S. and British Political Advisers agreed that the situation was becoming intolerable and that open and acrimonious conflict with the Italian Government was not far off. (750G.0221/2–165)
3. Telegram 3685 reported that in response to protests from the British about the situation in Trieste, the Italians listed recent examples of actions taken by the AMG that increased the friction in Trieste. (750G.0221/2–2351)
4. Telegram 3684 contained Ambassador Dunn’s suggestion that the U.S. and British Political Advisers in Trieste come to Rome for informal conversations with the Foreign Office and representatives of the two Embassies. (750G.0221/2–2351)