FATE OF TRIESTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 5

FATE OF TRIESTE

TALKS PROCEEDING CONCILIATORY ATMOSPHERE COMPROMISE LIKELY (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. While Anglo-American troops In the area from Udine to south of Gorizia are moving gradually eastward, taking over new positions unoccupied by the Jugoslavs, Agency correspondents report that talks are progressing to-day in a conciliatory atmosphere, indicating a friendly solution of the Trieste problem. The Associated Press correspondent says that a compromise is likely to provide, first, that the Jugoslavs remain as part of the occupying forces under Field-marshal Alexander; secondly, the Allied Military Government be set up for the disputed territory; thirdly, assurances to ' Jugoslavia that Fascists will not be allowed any control; fourthly, the cessation of Jugoslav political activity which could be construed by the Allies as an effort to incorporate the disputed territory in the Slovene State. Marshal Tito has appointed General Peko Caccevic, who is in his early 30’s, as commander of the Jugoslav Army in Trieste. He is one of Jugoslavia’s leading soldiers. An offer by the Jugoslav Government to settle the question of the sovereignty of Trieste and the surrounding regions by direct negotiations with Italy immediately was broadcast by Belgrade radio this afternoon. The statement was:— “ Jugoslavia has no intention of annexing unilaterally the coastal area of Istria and Trieste, and is prepared to settle the question before the peace conference by direct negotiations between Italy and Jugoslavia. Jugoslavia is prepared to discuss the present status of the territories in an endeavour to And, in agreement with the Allies, a solution which will be satisfying to both sides; and not contrary to the interests of the populations of these territories.”

Diplomatic Exchanges

Earlier it was stated that further diplomatic exchanges were taking place between Britain, the United States, and Jugoslavia, and official circles in London by no means despaired of being able to reach an amicable settlement. Reporting this the diplomatic correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph says that Marshal Tito’s decision to withdraw his troops from Carinthia has been welcomed as helpful and conciliatory. The decision to withdraw from Carinthia followed an intimation that Britain,and; America regarded as unsatisfactory Marshal Tito’s reply to their request for the withdrawal of all Jugoslav troops from the Italian province of Venezia-Guilia (which includes Trieste) and from Carinthia, but it is not known whether it was the result of that intimation.

It is emphasised in London, says the Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent, that there is a big difference between the diplomatic Notes and what Field-marshal Alexander said in his message to his troops. It is pointed out that Field-marshal Alexander is the military representative in the area, and not the person to take up political discussion. Belgrade radio, in a statement on Monday night pn the situation in Austria and Trieste, said: "The essential point is that th.ese questions must not be considered as a contest of 'nwer. The Jugoslav Government has always shown the greatest goodwill and determination to find solutions in the spirit of democracy and mutual collaboration. We have in this war undertaken to fight for a common cause. In the same way that we stood by this during the war we shall fulfil all our international obligations whiie practising in the reconstruction of a world free from Fascism. Jugoslavia has offered to discuss the future of the disputed areas with Italy.” Hopes of Solution

This, following the withdrawal of troops from Carinthia, indicated an attitude which gave hope that a solution satisfactory to all interests might ultimately be found. The British and American Governments still have Marshal Tito’s reply to their original Note under consideration, and an exchange of views will take place shortly. The Jugoslav radio says Marshal Tito, in a speech at Zagreb, explained that the new Jugoslavia was not created at a round table, but through four years of sufferings and tortures endured by all her peoples, who would have the rights they deserved because they had given their blood and sons for them. The task now was to restore what had been destroyed, and in the field of reconstruction they would shortly score even greater successes than on the battlefields. What had been achieved had been achieved for good, and no power could take it from them.