Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Paris Peace Conference: Proceedings, Volume III

CFM Files

United States Delegation Journal

August 21, 1946, 4 p.m.

USDel (PC) (Journal) 21

The Egyptian Delegate³⁶ presented the views of his Government on the Italian treaty. He said that there were two things with regard to the treaty which he wished to discuss—reparations and the Italian colonies. With regard to the first question Italy had invaded his country and as a result Egypt deserved compensation out of Italian property held since June 1940 in the hands of the Egyptian custodians. Specific proposals by the Egyptian Government would be put before the Economic Commission. With regard to the second question, Egypt desired the oasis of Jarabub, ceded to Italy in 1925, and the Plateau of Soloum. Furthermore, he proposed that the Allied states recognize the independence and sovereignty of Libya and that her steps toward independence should be guided by a member of the Arab League. Italian administration could not be permitted.³⁷

The Cuban Delegate³⁸ then drew attention to the fact that Cuba had joined the Allies on December 11, 1941. He proposed that the terms of the Italian Treaty should be just and equitable and designed to facilitate reconstruction. He said that the Italian republic should be considered a truly democratic state and be admitted to the United Nations.³⁹

The Austrian Delegate, Mr. Gruber, admitted that his people had made many mistakes and that there had been criminals amongst them but pointed to the long standing resistance to Nazi aggression which began as early as 1933. The new democratic Austria wanted nothing but the continuation of a peaceful and steady life. He asked for the return of the South Tyrol where the people have been deprived of the most primitive human rights and whose separation from Austria had disrupted communications and Austrian economy. He asked that if Trieste were internationalized Austria be given a voice in the government since Austria had the largest share in the trade of the city and intended to increase it.⁴⁰

The Iranian Delegate⁴¹ thanked the Conference for the opportunity offered his government to speak and drew attention to the economic, military and moral contributions of his country to the Allied cause. He said that a Delegation would arrive from Iran as soon as possible to express the views of the Iranian Government.⁴²

The Chairman suggested that the Conference convene at 10 a.m. the following day. The meeting closed at 6:05.

36. Wassef Ghali Pacha.
37. Regarding Egyptian claims, see note from the Egyptian Legation to the Acting Secretary of State, June 18, vol. ii, p. 536, and note from the Department of State to the Egyptian Legation, July 25, ante, p. 16. For the Memorandum Submitted by the Egyptian Government on the Draft Peace Treaty With Italy, C.P. (Gen) Doc. 10, August 30, see Paris Peace Conference, 1946, p. 343.
38. Hector de Ayala.
39. For the Memorandum on the Draft Peace Treaty With Italy Submitted by the Cuban Delegation, C.P. (Gen) Doc. 9, September 9, see Paris Peace Conference, 1946, p. 340.
40. For the Memorandum Presented by the Austrian Delegation on the Draft Peace Treaty With Italy, C.P. (Gen) Doc. 11, August 30, see Paris Peace Conference, 1946, p. 364.
41. Zein Al-Abedine Rahnema.
42. For the Memorandum Presented by the Iranian Delegation on the Draft Peace Treaties, C.P. (Gen) Doc. 12, September 2, 1946, see Paris Peace Conference, 1946, p. 391.