WESTERN POWERS PLACED IN A QUANDARY OVER TRIESTE BY SOVIET’S NEW DECISION

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1949, Page 5

WESTERN POWERS PLACED IN A QUANDARY OVER TRIESTE BY SOVIET’S NEW DECISION

(Rec. 9.25) NEW YORK, February 18. Russia made a surprise move in the U.N.O. Security Council by accepting the British nominee, as Governor of Trieste, namely, Colonel Hermann Flueckiger, who at present is the Swiss Minister at Moscow, and who Britain had nominated for Trieste in 1947. Since then Britain, the United States and France have favoured the 'return of Trieste to Italy. M. Malik (Russia), by announcing acceptance of Cob Flueckiger, put to the Western Premiers alternatives of discarding him or of observing the Italian peace treaty terms.

The representative of the United States, Mr Warren Austin, told the Security Council that the Yugoslav zone of Trieste has been completely transformed in character and has virtually been incorporated in the Yugoslav police state, making any independent democratic status for that territory impossible. He pointed out that the establishment of “independent” territory would mean that a certain area would be left open to indirect aggression on the pattern that had been well tested throughout Eastern Europe, and tested most recently in Czechoslovakia. In the opinion of the Western Powers, said Mr Austin, the return of Trieste to Italy was the only solution, and a Security Council discussion on the matter would not meet any constructive purpose. Sir Terence Shone, the representative of Britain, recalled the “long weary negotiations” over the choice of a Governor for Trieste, in which “the other delegations were almost worn out by the Soviet obstruction.” He added that, during this long period, the situation in Trieste had deteriorated, because of the Yugoslavs’ actions, and thus the task of a Governor would now be impossible. The solution provided in the Italian Peace Treaty was now unworkable. The French delegate took a similar line. M. Malik (Russia) then formally moved that Col. Flueckiger be appointed as Governor of Trieste. The Council then adjourned without any further discussion.