501.BB/10–1348: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State 1
priority
Delga 316. Tripartite US-UK-Ethiopian conversations on Eritrea held yesterday, Clutton representing UK, Aklilou and Spencer Ethiopia, Villard and Bagby US.
Aklilou made strong plea for cession to Ethiopia of region including Asmara and Massawa, stating he did not understand why US was in favor of postponing decision on this area which was so vital to Ethiopian economy. He pointed out Ethiopians were capable of administering Addis Ababa, a much larger city than Asmara, and added four-power commission statistics shows port of Massawa receipts greatly exceeded expenditures. Ethiopia therefore was entirely capable of administering these two towns. He indicated he preferred British proposal, especially if some hope could be given that Ethiopia could annex territory after 10 years provisional administration, but feared delay might be caused if UN had to work out elaborate statute.
Clutton said UK certainly wished avoid any delay and would be prepared hand over territory before details of statute worked out. In any case, British did not regard their proposal as “sacred” and would consider any other reasonable proposal. He stressed necessity obtaining two-thirds vote in GA.
Aklilou said if US could agree to cession Asmara–Massawa area, Ethiopia might be able agree to postponement western province or even [Page 956] cession that area to Sudan. Clutton and UK opposed cession that area because they did not wish to be accused of land-grabbing and because it would raise question Egyptian sovereignty over Sudan. If, however, in a Subcommittee of Committee I it appeared there was considerable feeling in favor such plan, British might accept placing that area under provisional administration of Sudan Government, leaving UN free reconsider final disposal in 5 or 10 years.
We inquired what Ethiopians thought possibility some sort international administration of port of Massawa, stressing this was merely personal suggestion as we had no instructions from Washington. Aklilou replied it was simply question ensuring good working of the port, surely Ethiopia could be trusted to hire capable experts, if it was question making concession to certain elements in international opinion in order obtain votes in GA, Ethiopia might consider undertaking to leave technical operation of port under board of experts to be named by ECOSOC, or something of kind. He did not want, however, elaborate statute which would take another year work out.
Clutton remarked such scheme would please those elements of opinion who “favor internationalizing everything” but would not conciliate pro-Italian elements. Aklilou said he had been talking several LA delegates who were surprised learn Eritrea’s small size and lack resources and to realize it could never serve as outlet for Italy’s excess population.
We promised refer Aklilou’s suggestions to USDel and Department. He asked early reply as he will have consult Emperor.
Our general impression was that Ethiopians will agree to any reasonable concession as long as they receive possession of port of Massawa. They would probably vote for US–UK proposal for Libya and make no violent opposition Italian trusteeship for Somaliland. Although, of course, we did not mention question, we feel sure Ethiopians would agree our keeping radio station in Asmara. If Department finds above suggestions acceptable (Sudanese provisional administration of western province and an ECOSOC-appointed board to run Massawa) it may wish authorize US ask Aklilou about radio station.
Sent Department Delga 316, repeated London 1055, Addis Ababa 4.
- Secretary Marshall was at Paris attending the third regular session (first part) of the U.N. General Assembly which met September 21–December 12, 1948. The Secretary of State was with the U.S. Delegation, except for two brief absences, until November 21, when he returned to Washington. For documentation on the organization of the U.S. Delegation at Paris and arrangements of the Delegation for the conduct of business at the General Assembly see vol. i, pp. 289 ff.↩