Office of the Historian

CFM Files: Lot M–88: Box 110

Decision by the Deputies for the Former Italian Colonies of the Council of Foreign Ministers1

secret
London, 21st October, 1947.

C.F.M./D/L/47/IC/29

Procedure for Hearing “Other Interested Governments” and the Governments of Italy and Egypt

1.
Appropriate invitations should be sent to “other interested Governments”, as defined by the Deputies, as well as the Governments of Italy and Egypt, asking for a reply within 14 days as to whether they desire to submit their views, in writing or orally should they desire it, regarding the disposal of the former Italian Colonies.
2.
The opening date and the chronological order of hearings of the “other interested Governments”, as well as of the Governments of Italy and Egypt, by the Conference of Deputies in London shall be decided by the Deputies later, in accordance with paragraph 1, after receipt of replies to the invitations. In drawing up the chronological order of hearing the views of the above-mentioned Governments, the Deputies shall give the first opportunity of stating their views regarding the disposal of the former Italian Colonies to the countries neighbouring these territories, i.e. to Egypt and Ethiopia, as well as to Italy.
3.
The Deputies shall study the points of view submitted by “other interested Governments”, as well as by the Governments of Italy and Egypt with a view to completing the work by the time the reports of the Commission of Investigation of the Four Powers are received.
4.
“Other interested Governments”, as well as the Governments of Italy and Egypt should not participate in or be directly connected with the work of the Commission of Investigation of the Four Powers.
The drawing up and approval of instructions, route and time-table of the work of the Commission of Investigation of the Four Powers, as well as the definition of their composition is the prerogative exclusively of the Deputies of the Foreign Ministers of the U.S.S.R., of the U.K., of the U.S.A. and of France.
5.
The Deputies shall send copies of the reports of the Commission to “other interested Governments”, as well as to the Governments of Italy and Egypt, immediately upon their completion, giving them the right, after examination of the reports, to present supplementary views to the Conference of Deputies either in writing or orally, if they so desire.
6.
Any of the “other interested Governments”, as well as the Governments of Italy and Egypt may on the recommendation of the Deputies and with the consent of the Council of Foreign Ministers be given the opportunity to present their views directly to the Council of Foreign Ministers at any session on the agenda of which appears the question of the disposal of the former Italian Colonies.
  1. This decision was agreed upon by the Deputies at their 8th Meeting, October 17, 1947.↩