CFM Files
The Italian Ambassador (Tarchiani) to the Counselor of the Department of State (Cohen)
My Dear Mr. Cohen: Following my previous communications on the subject of the problem of the Italian colonies, I wish to draw your kind attention to the following considerations which are prompted by the examination of the draft treaty article and the accompanying joint declaration regarding the subject.
You already know the stand taken by my country on the question; my Government has made it clearly known to the Conference of Foreign Ministers and separately to the four delegations. Premier De Gasperi has also made known repeatedly and publicly such Italian stand, which represents the unanimous feelings both of the Italian people and nation.
It is needless therefore that I dwell further on the subject, but I wish to invite your attention to certain aspects of the proposed draft, both from the formal and substantial point of view:
- 1.
- The proposed article expresses outright, without leaving any hope whatsoever, the exclusion of Italy from her African territory in so far as it concerns rights and titles as well as established interests and future prospects.
- 2.
- Italy is entirely excluded from the provisional administration contemplated for one year, and from the commissions of inquiry.
- 3.
- The large Italian communities permanently settled in those territories, not only do not receive any protection, but are not even mentioned in the clause.
- 4.
- No guarantee or even hope is given to Italy as far as the final disposition of those territories is concerned, more so that the joint declaration provides that the matter shall be referred to the General Assembly of the United Nations only if the Four have not been able to agree within a year.
These are the four gravest points of the solution drafted in Paris which wound especially the Italian public opinion and which place the Government in a very serious situation.
The Italian Government has clearly and frankly expressed its stand on the question, as well as the motives which prompt it. And it places its hopes and its trust in the American delegation in order that in the forthcoming Paris Conference the United States back the removal of those provisions in the said draft of articles which are particularly unacceptable. In this connection, it must be duly borne in mind that for what concerns the African territory Italy has repeatedly stated to submit herself to the principles of the U.N.
Believe me [etc.]