750G.00/1–754: Telegram
No. 159
The Chargé in Italy (Durbrow) to the
Department of State
1
niact
2088. Limit distribution. Zoppi received me at 6 p.m. after having talked to British Ambassador to give Pella’s reply to procedure which we had outlined on January 4, regarding secret soundings with Yugoslavs (Embassy telegram 20592).
He explained position to me orally and handed me an informal memorandum along following lines. While the suggested United States–United Kingdom action, in a certain sense, is parallel to that suggested by Pella to Ambassador Luce,3 it is nevertheless somewhat different. Pella proposed parallel conversations by one representative of big three, for instance Bidault to discuss separately Trieste question with Italian and Yugoslav representatives, and that if such soundings should not have favorable outcome, Italian Government expected that October 8 decision would be implemented without delay.
Anglo-American communication January 4 refers instead to a preliminary step which British and American Governments intended taking on their own initiative in order obtain a concrete indication of Yugoslav point of view “in regard to territorial aspects of the problem of Trieste” and results of step would then be given to Italian and French Governments.
Despite these differences, Italian Government appreciated Anglo-American communication and considered it to be step of friendly regard for Italy. Italian Government also appreciated recognition on part of Anglo-Americans that while ideas of Italian Government in regard to territorial problems of Trieste are perfectly clear, limits are also clear beyond which no Italian Government could accept as a solution of problem; the Allies do not have a precise indication of the point of view of Yugoslavia.
This being understood, he added, that Italian Government reserves right to consult with French Government and other two Allied governments on possibility of moving forward with full procedure [Page 361] proposed by Pella when Italian Government has been made cognizant of results of soundings with Yugoslavs.
Zoppi stated that Italian Government felt it might be useful to point out that based on its experience in dealing with Yugoslavs on Trieste question tactics of latter are continually to put forward vague proposals and concepts which, while at first blush, seem reasonable and promise positive developments, turn out to be quite different once they are examined closely. He suggested therefore, that it would be advisable in soundings not to accept a general formula for a solution, but to ascertain particularly in regard to territorial aspects of question, concrete information of Yugoslav point of view.
After I had expressed appreciation for favorable Italian reaction our January 4 suggestions, Zoppi expressed hope soundings would be fruitful.
- Repeated for information to London, Paris, Belgrade, and Trieste.↩
- In telegram 2059, Durbrow described his approach to Zoppi that evening with the proposal that the United Kingdom, the United States, and Yugoslavia hold secret talks regarding Trieste. Durbrow said that he pitched his approach along the lines that the U.K. and U.S. Governments had basically accepted Pella’s suggestion of Dec. 24, 1953, but had gone one step further to assure that no one should call these soundings a conference. (750G.00/1–454)↩
- Pella’s suggestion was reported in Document 156.↩