SOVIET APPROVES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22184, 21 November 1946, Page 7

SOVIET APPROVES

DIRECT_TALKS ITALY AND YUGOSLAVIA TRIESTE SETTLEMENT .(10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 20. M. Molotov has officially informed . Italy that Russia believes a friendly settlement of the Trieste issue and related border problems by direct negotiation between Italy and Yugoslavia would ‘’promote and strengthen peace in Europe.” M Molotov gave the Russians’ views in a letter to the Italian envoy to Moscow Signor Pietro Quaroni who is at present in New York. He was replying to Italy’s notification to all the Big Four Foreign Ministers on November 11 that i.t regarded favourably the indications from Belgrade that Marshal Tito would like to work out a direct settlement of the Trieste issue Mr. James Byrnes had previously informed Italy that the United States was prepared to leave open the door for negotiation between the countries concerned, but at present was standing firm on its agreement with the other Powers to internationalise Trieste U.S. Diplomats Not Hopeful M. ■ Molotov’s letter is regarded as encouraging such negotiations, but American diplomats hold little hope that thev would be successful. However, the Associated Press says that among the Foreign Ministers and advisers there is an expectation that internationalised Trieste will be a source of trouble for many years with its Yugoslav and Italian populations agitating for annexation of the territory to one country or the other. The Italian Government has instructed the Italian Ambassador in Washington, Signor Tarchiani, to approach the Yugoslav representatives in'New York to initiate direct negotiations on Trieste and other frontier problems.

Mr. Bevin has also replied to Italy. The text of his reply has not been disclosed but it is understood that Mr. Bevin said he favoured direct negotiations.