740.00119 European War 1939/2019a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the American Representative to the French Committee of National Liberation at Algiers ( Wilson )

103. For Murphy.20 The Belgian, Netherlands and Polish Governments have, independently, within the past few days raised the question of representation in Italy for the protection of their respective interests in that country including their nationals.21 Since it is not feasible to arrange places for these and other United Nations on the Advisory Council or Control Commission, it is suggested that they be permitted to assign consuls or consuls general to Italy to look out for their respective interests.

Please ascertain the views of the Commander-in-Chief22 bearing in mind that there will undoubtedly be several other governments of the United Nations in addition to those represented on the Advisory Council who will desire consular representation in Italy once the precedent is established. It is our feeling that we should not deny [Page 1167] members of the United Nations who have legitimate interests in Italy from having appropriate representation in the liberated areas of that country sufficiently removed from the zone of active military operations.23

We would be grateful for the comments of the Commander-in-Chief concerning the above suggestions and concerning the general problems involved in representation of United Nations in Italy.

Hull
  1. Robert D. Murphy, American member, with personal rank of Ambassador, of Advisory Council for Italy; also U.S. Political Adviser, Allied Force Headquarters.
  2. For the Belgian note of December 3, 1943, see Foreign Relations, 1943, vol. ii, p. 398. The Netherlands aide-mémoire, dated December 3, 1943, and the Polish aide-mémoire, dated December 6, 1943, not printed.
  3. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
  4. The Combined Chiefs of Staff in telegram Tam 60, October 23, 1943, requested General Eisenhower’s views on attaching British and American consular officers to the Political Section of the Allied Control Commission to perform notarial and other consular services. His approval was received on October 28, 1943, in telegram Mat 67. (125.0065/306)