GOVERNMENT OF ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1944, Page 4

GOVERNMENT OF ITALY

MR. EDEN’S STATEMENT

RUGBY, March 22.

The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, replied to several Commons questions regarding the future Government of Italy. The advisory council for Italy, established after the Moscow conference had held eight meetings, said Mr. Eden. The council which was representative of the United States, Soviet, British, Greek and Jugoslav Governments and the French Committee of National Liberation, had, oi course, made no recommendation to the Governments concerned that there should be a resumption of diplomatic relations with the Badoglio Government. He was further asked whether the Soviet Government was associated with the provisional agreement between Britain and United States to take a new view of the future Government of Italy after the occupation of Rome. He replied that the Italian campaign had been a BritishAmerican operation and for this reason the British and United States Governments were alone parties to the agreement. The Soviet Government had not expressed dissent either to the British Government or to the Council for Italy. Mr. Eden added: “There has been no complaint at all. I think the matter can be left to tire Soviet Government. Immense pains have been taken by the British and United States Governments to consult them at every stage of this Italian business.” Asked whether the British Government was consulted before the Soviet and Italian Governments agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations by exchanging ambassadors and whether the British Government proposed taking similar steps, Mr. Eden said: “Communications passed between the British Government in the United Kingdom and the Italian Government regarding the exchange oi diplomatic representatives between this country and the Italian Government. The British Government do not intend to alter the existing position under which relations between this country and the Italian Governmenl are conducted through the medium of the Allied Control Commission set up under the terms of the armistice with Italy. The Government are in communication with the Soviet Government regarding the exchange ol representatives between that Governgnent and the Italian Government, as to why they were not consulted beforehand. I have no further statement to make on the matter at present.” Negotiations with the Spanish Government have not yet reached any conclusion, said Mr. Eden in the Commons, adding: “I think, however, I can say that progress is being made at all events on some issues, aird I hope to be in a position shortly to report further.”