Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

840.48 Refugees/8–2846: Telegram

The Chargé in Italy (Key) to the Secretary of State

secret

Rome, August 28, 1946—4 p.m.
[Received 4:50 p.m.]

3642. ReEmbtel 3621 and 3623, August 27. In talk this morning with Embassy officer, chief of political section of Foreign Ministry, Zoppi, indicated following regarding Italian Government’s reply to American request for entry 25,000 Jewish refugees.

Government’s main reason for refusing our request is not so much question maintenance refugees here but rather serious problem already confronting Italy connection with excessive number refugees already here plus international repercussions involved therein. Zoppi emphasized arguments set forth under points 5, 6 and 7 of Embtel 3621, cited in confidence. He admitted that British Government has recently made three vigorous representations to Italian Government insisting movement in and out of Italy of Jews be stopped. While not a determining factor in Italian Government’s decision refuse our request, contrary British pressure places Italy in difficult situation. See Embtel 3603, August 23 sent London 543.³

Zoppi finally stated that if US Government would work out concrete plan for ultimate evacuation of given number of Jews for whom entry requested, Italy might consider allowing possibly 10,000 out of 25,000 to enter from Austria providing also, however, that their entry be spread out over period of months and that a roughly equivalent number of refugees now here be moved out of Italy before all of 10,000 enter from Austria. Zoppi made clear Italian Government’s understanding and sympathy with US problem with influx Jews our zone Austria, reiterated Government’s desire to cooperate in this matter with US notwithstanding British pressure and expressed earnest hope US would understand long term problem facing Italy on whole refugee question.

Sent Department 3642; repeated London 549, Vienna 71, Moscow 177.

Key

3. Not printed; it indicated that an Italian Government spokesman had mentioned to a member of the British Embassy the difficulty in reconciling the British request that Italy tighten its border controls to prevent alleged entry and exit of Jews with the American request that Italy open its borders to admit 25,000 Jews from Austria (840.48 Refugees/8–2346).