893.01/12–2149: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:37 p. m.]
4181. We have been given by Foreign Office (Embtel 4056, December 12) copy letter to British Ambassador, Rome, from Secretary General Foreign Office Zoppi which reads in translation:
“Your letter 17 kindly informed me intention British Government to proceed to de jure recognition of popular Communist government (sic) adding that date selected would be January 2 if other governments agreed on that date.
Italian Government has impression that basis of mutual understanding among interested powers not yet reached. It also does not believe it possible, in such brief lapse of time, to overcome difference of views which still exist on question and arrive at common line of action hoped for in our reply to British memo of November 2.
In view foregoing, Italian Government does not for present believe it is in position to give more satisfactory reply, at same time giving assurance that will not fail keep British Government informed its decisions as soon as this will be possible.”