No. 150
Editorial Note
The possibility of making another approach to the Italian and Yugoslav Governments regarding a five-power conference on Trieste was discussed by Secretary of State Dulles, British Foreign [Page 345] Secretary Eden, and French Foreign Minister Bidault at the Bermuda Conference, December 4–8, 1953.
Prior to the conference, at the Secretary’s staff meeting on December 2, Assistant Secretary Merchant said that it was becoming apparent that the British and the United States must jointly sponsor the five-power conference, that the French should be invited but that they “were not playing ball with us,” and that France was keeping the Italian Government fully informed of United Kingdom–United States plans regarding Trieste. Secretary Dulles said that the way to approach the French would be to give them “a little shock treatment” by telling them they did not have a responsible government and that the British and United States Governments would sponsor the meeting and have France present. (Secretary’s Staff Meetings, lot 63 D 75, “December 1953”)
On the first day of the conference, December 4, two meetings were held, during which Dulles, with strong support from Eden, urged proceeding with the approaches to Tito and Pella as had been previously proposed. Bidault finally consented to the idea, but only after Dulles had suggested that the United Kingdom and the United States take the responsibility for the approaches and after Dulles and Eden had accepted Bidault’s suggestions for changes in the wording of the communications to the Yugoslav and Italian Governments. These meetings were described in Secto 3 from Bermuda, December 4. (750G.00/12–453)
The text of the approaches to Tito and Pella were transmitted to Belgrade and Rome in telegrams 699 and 1974, respectively, both December 5. (750G.00/12–553) In Secto 6 from Bermuda, December 5, Dulles admitted that there had been some misunderstanding concerning the timing of the approaches, and that instead of simultaneous approaches in both capitals, an approach was to be made only in Belgrade and that the Rome approach would be deferred until the soundings with Tito were completed. (750G.00/12–553)
A copy of a position paper on Trieste, prepared by William E. Knight and dated December 1, for use at the Bermuda Conference, is in PPS files, lot 64 D 563, “Trieste”. For documentation on the Bermuda Conference, see volume V, Part 2, pages 1710 ff.