740.00119 Control (Italy)/4–745: Telegram
The Secretary of State to Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, at Caserta
315. Depts 248, March 23. British views on Venezia Giulia (your 1376, April 7, 7 am) were delayed and circulated to members of CCAC on April 4 only.
While accepting the US proposal (Depts 248) the British paper submits three plans to implement it. They are: (1) AMG throughout compartment in which Yugoslav Government would share as third partner (SAC’s plan outlined in Naf 872), (2) Yugoslav Government to withdraw all Yugoslav forces from entire compartment and Anglo-American military government to be established throughout compartment working through local authorities that might remain of whatever nationality; (3) Anglo-American military [Page 1120] government throughout compartment under control of special military government answerable to SAC and administered as separate unit from remainder of Italy. An Allied council including US, UK, USSR, Yugoslav and Italian Governments to advise SAC.
British paper points out advantages and disadvantages of each plan.
In addition to the three alternative methods above, the paper offers a fourth: to divide compartment into two zones with AMG in the west and Yugoslavs in the east. Accompanying map shows two alternative lines of demarcation: (1) drawn up in London and presumably that mentioned in your 421, February 3, 4 p.m.81 and (2) the Alexander (Robertson) line. Of the four this is apparently the plan which the British prefer. The paper says, however, that the UK Government is prepared to accept whichever of the four plans is preferred by the United States providing that the two governments jointly contribute the forces which may be required to support the plan and jointly provide necessary civil affairs officers.
The paper is in the informal stages of consideration by CCAC. We have advised the War Department that we prefer plan (2). War Department is considering provisions relating to equal share of troops and civil affairs officers.
After CCAC has recommended course of action to CCS the latter, under the British plan, will advise the US and UK Governments, who will then invite the Soviet Government to concur.
- Not printed; it reported that Mr. Jebb of the British Foreign Office while at Caserta en route elsewhere had stated that Prime Minister Churchill at Yalta Conference would propose to President Roosevelt a provisional frontier between Italy and Yugoslavia which would run from a point south of Trieste to Gorizia, leaving Gorizia within Italy (740.0011EW/2–345).↩