DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation
Date: March 29, 1949
Subject: Visit of the Ambassador of the Union of South Africa to Discuss the Former Italian Colonies Question
Participants: Mr. Dean Acheson, Secretary of State Mr. H.T. Andrews, Ambassador of the Union of South Africa Mr. James S. Moose, Jr. AF
Copies to: NEA, SWE, BC, EUR, UND
The South African Ambassador called on the Secretary at noon to talk about the disposition of the Italian Colonies. He expressed (1) the view of the South African Government that there is a danger of Communist penetration into Africa by way of Soviet representation in Ethiopia, and (2) South African solicitude for Italians in Eritrea who might come under Ethiopian rule. In his opinion, the colonial record of Italy, up to the establishment of the Fascist regime, was creditable. South Africans, said Mr. Andrews, are particularly sensitive to Communist moves in Africa, and they also look with sympathy on the plight of the Italians resident in Eritrea.
Mr. Andrews recalled that South African troops had fought in Ethiopia and in North Africa during the war, and their experience gave rise to doubt that Ethiopia could properly administer additional territory. Therefore, his Government favored a British trusteeship over Cyrenaica, and Italian trusteeship over the other former Italian Colonies. Mr. Andrews then delivered an aide-memoire covering the points of his statement
The Secretary briefly described the position of the US with regard to the various areas: for Italian Somaliland, Italian Trusteeship; for Eritrea, cession to Ethiopia except for the Western Province; for Cyrenaica, British trusteeship; for Tripolitania and the Fezzen, postponement for a year or two. Several proposals for Tripolitania had been considered, such as Italian trusteeship, US trusteeship, multiple trusteeship, but all were objectionable on some ground or other.
Mr. Andrews said that his Government would support British trusteeship over Cyrenaica and Italian trusteeship over Italian Somaliland; and that possibly postponing a final decision on Tripolitania for a while would be unobjectionable. However, continued Mr. Andrews, the Government of South Africa would not be happy to see the Italians of Eritrea subjected to Ethiopian rule. He inquired if any measures were contemplated to protect the Italians in Eritrea.
In response to an inquiry from the Secretary, Mr. Moose said that both the US and the UK envisaged measures which would afford adequate protection to the Italians in the area ceded to Ethiopia. With regard to the Western Province of Eritrea, there is some hope that it can be integrated into the administration of the Sudan. Mr. Andrews remarked that the Fezzen would probably eventually be placed under French trusteeship; and the Secretary said he thought it a possibility.
On leaving, the Ambassador asked the Secretary to keep him informed of any important developments, because they would be of interest to his Government. The Secretary replied that he would keep in mind South African interest in the disposition of the former Italian Colonies.
NEA:AF:JSMoose:ehd