President Roosevelt to the British Prime Minister (Churchill)21
370. Reference Para 3 of my 362 to you, dated September 27 [28], 1943,26 I suggest following message be sent to Molotov to clarify Russian position with respect to two commissions now being set up in the Mediterranean Area.
“Message begins. To M. Molotov from the Secretary of State.
Reference Para 3 of your message to me dated 26 September 1943.27
There appears to be no conflict between the Military-Political Commission envisaged by the three governments of Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, and the Control Commission set [Page 383] up by Para 37 of the long term Italian surrender document agreed to by the three governments.
The Control Commission acts directly under the Supreme Allied Commander to deal with specific problems arising in areas of Italy liberated by Anglo-American armies. These are problems arising in any active military area under direct supervision of the Supreme Commander and so the commission must act under his direct control.
On the contrary, the Military-Political Commission for the Mediterranean Basin will have the purpose, as Marshal Stalin says, of ‘considering the questions concerning the negotiations with the different governments disassociating themselves with Germany’. Thus it will deal with the broad overall picture in this area. It will not have plenary powers. Its members will study the problems and advise their governments. The governments will then consult each other and reach a decision. If such decision affects the Supreme Allied Commander, he will be informed of it through the Combined Chiefs of Staff.
Now that the members of this Military-Political Commission have been appointed and it will meet soon, I feel the policies of our three governments in the Mediterranean area will be harmonized more effectively and quickly than heretofore.” End message.
I will await your reply before asking the Secretary of State to send above message. I feel it important to straighten out this matter now as it will set the precedent for all such future activities in the war.