YUGOSLAV NOTES
Protests to Western Powers ALLEGED PROPAGANDA ACTION (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright). (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 22. Yugoslavia to-day protested against .the suggestion by the Western Powers to restore the free territory of Trieste to Italy. The Yugoslav protest was contained in Notes handed to the British, United States and French ambassadors in Belgrade. ! Russia, has not yet replied, but representatives of the Polish and Hungarian Governments to-day denounced the suggestion. The Italian Government sent messages to Britain, the United States and France accepting the Trieste proposal. The Italian Foreign Minister, Count Sforza, later broadcast Italy’s acceptance and thanks to the Western Powers'.
The Italian Premier, Signor de Gasperi, after a three-hour talk'in Northern Italy to-day with the French Foreign Minister, M. Bidault, said: “1 think we are going toward a United Europe.” Signor de Gasperi told a press conference that the " announcement on Trieste was “a thing bigger than we are; bigger than Italy orJFTance and bigger than the Italian elections.” He said the proposal was one oAthe things which could guarantee peace, because peace in_the Adriatic was impossible without collaboration there. M. Bidault declared: “There has been an astonishing joining together of the two countries. Here is the will to construct a base of moral unity which will really come from the masses. We are pursuing this in spite of great difficulties. If we do what we should peace is certain.” The Yugoslav Note of protest said: “While ft was necessary tov obtain Italy’s consent the Western Powers did not deem it necessary to obtain the consent of Yugoslavia the Allied country most concerned. The Note described the Trieste plan as propaganda action which would not be conducive to world peace. It claimed that the Western Powers had worked to frustrate direct agreements between Italy and Yugoslavia, though the possibility of friendly settlement was clearly apparent. It also charged the British and American administration in Trieste with having- introduced military totalitarian authority, and deprived the Trieste population of their democratic rights and liberty, “such a proposal during the pre-election campaign in Italy could only foment chauvinist hatred toward the Yugoslav peoples, and sharpen internal relations in Italy.” The spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry expressed “amazement” over the Trieste proposal. He said: “Poland is a signatory to the Italian peace treaty, and considers that no decision can be taken on Trieste without action_by al the signatories.” The Hungarian deputy-Premier, Arpad Ezakasits, in a newspaper interview in Budapest, denounced the Trieste proposal. He said:'“We are facing new aggression of international imperialism against the peace front. The warmongers and arms manufacturers are bringing ;up the Trieste question to disturb international peace. The Hungarian Socialists side wholeheartedly with Yugoslavia.” Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent says it is denied in reliable circles that British, French and American discussions are proceeding on a possible joint declaration of their attitude toward the colonies, as has been reported in Washington. The Foreign Office spokesman said that Britain was withholding a statement on the future of former Italian Colonies until the Four-Power Investigating Commission’s report is received.
YUGOSLAVIA WANTS GORIZIA SOLUTION 1 COULD BE REACHED (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 22. In Belgrade to-day Yugoslavia was prepared to seek, through mutual efforts, an agreed solution to the Trieste question, and was'willing to give Trieste to Italy if Yugoslavia could retain the town of Gorizia. Yugoslavia always believed that Italy and Yugoslavia could reach, a satisfactory solution to the Trieste prob’lem. Yugoslavia was prepared to negotiate with the de Gasperi Government. Yugoslavia’s protest was against the way in which France, Britain and the United States made the declaration, and the fact that they did not ask Yugoslavia to join in the deliberations. „ . M. Simitch said that _ Yugoslavia would be willing to talk with Italy “in the spirit of the Tito-Togliatti talks.” Tito, in talks with Togliatti ill 194 G, offered to take Gorizia and give Italy Trieste, provided Italy guaranteed the rights of Yugoslav inhabitants. M. Simitch added that Yugoslavia had made several attempts to reach closer relations with Italy. They had already reached a trade agreement. “Yugoslavia is convinced that deterioration in relations between the two countries can be prevented and actually improved if the two Governments determinedly and courageously set about the task with only the interests of their own peoples and those of peace in mind. M Simitch added that Yugoslavia rdways felt that the internationalisation of Trieste would mean internal discord. The creation of a police State in Trieste had poisoned relations between the two 'countries. Yugoslavia was prepared to seek an agreed solution to all other questions between the two countries because she had never nurtured aggressive desires against Italy. If Italy sought the same aim it would be possible to create conditions of complete security and friendship between the two countries. In Rome to-night Italian officials said that Italy would reject any Yugoslav request to acquire Gorizia, as M. Simitch suggested. The chief civil affairs officer of the Allied Military Government in Trieste, Major-General T. S. Airey, announced that British and American troops would remain in the Trieste occupied zone to preserve order pending a decision on the future of Trieste.
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 138, 23 March 1948, Page 3
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858YUGOSLAV NOTES Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 138, 23 March 1948, Page 3
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