865.014/12–2645: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 27—6:55 p.m.]
4194. FonOff has again communicated with me re occupation of Island of Saseno by Albanian forces and has informed me it has requested Allied Commission to investigate possibility of having Allied forces occupy this Island until its ultimate fate is settled by peace treaty. The FonOff further states that AC has now informed Ministry that Albanian occupation of Saseno has been judged “satisfactory” (the substance of Dept’s 757 of August 20 to Caserta83 was communicated to AC Dept 17).
In replying to AC FonOff informed me it had said that provisional occupation and administration of the Island by present Albanian Govt was in contrast with letter and spirit of Italian armistice since it involved forcible occupation by Albanians of an island which has been under Italian administration for over 25 years.
Ministry added in its reply to AC that while noting that Albanian occupation was termed “provisional” it nevertheless requested action from Allied Govts of formal reservations of Italian Govt in this connection.
Sent Dept repeated Caserta 1331 Tirana 19.