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- DECLASSIFIED E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Aug. 10, 1972 BINITING NARS Date 7.29.75 DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON May 4, 1945 smoker MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT SUBJECT: Occupation of Venezia Giulia. The background of the dispute over the occupation and administration of Venezia Giulia will be of interest to you in connection with recent developments in that area: It has been evident for some time that certain areas on Italy's northern frontiers would be in dispute in the post hostilities period. In order that this government might be well prepared with a definite policy on these important problems the Department of State submitted to President Roosevelt in September 1944 during the second Quebec Conference a plan to prevent insofar a.s possible the final disposition of the disputed areas on Italy's borders from becoming prejudiced by unilateral action by force. The Department suggested that Allied Mili- tary Government be extended to all Italian metropolitan territory within its 1939 frontiers" including Venezia Tridentina (Bolzano and Trento) and Venezia Giulia (Fiume, Trieste, Pola, and Gorizia) Allied Military Government should be maintained 'until the disputed areas are finally disposed of by peace treaty or peace settlement". The State Department Memorandum to Presi- dent Roosevelt ended by saying "On our part, it would mean keeping a certain number of American Military Gov- ernment officers and soldiers in northern Italy." President Roosevelt, through Admiral Leahy, on September 19, 1944, informed the State Department that its suggestion "had been discussed with Mr. Churchill and is approved by the President. (A copy of the State Department Memorandum and of Admiral Leahy's reply are attached. The "Declaration on Liberated Europe" contained in the Yalta Agreement requires the three governments (U.S., U.K. , ARCHIVES