Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of Italy Alberto Tarchiani, and Mr. Unger

5/5/231 DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND 198 DECLASSIFIED SERVICKPa E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and S(D) or (E) Memorandum of Conversation 199 Dept. of State letter, Bas MLT. He : NARS Date 12-36 DATE: July 18, 1949 SUBJECT: General problems concerning Italy. conf PARTICIPANTS: secretary of State Sr. Tarchiani, Ambassador of Italian Embassy Mr. Unger, SWE COPIES TO: EUR CP SWE E AF AMEMBASSY, Rome NEA USPOLAD, Trieste U/FAA AMEMBASSY, Belgrade ILS AMEMBASSY, Paris MEMBASSY, London USUN 1-1493 The Italian Ambassador mentioned that he was returning to Rome and would be talking with de Gasperi, Sforza and others there and wished to carry back an authoritative picture of the views of the United states Government on certain questions of interest to Italy. He broached first the question of the disposition of the former Italian Colonies, saying that his Government hoped that before the meeting of the General Assembly in the fall there could be some measure of agreement among the countries principally concerned so that the unsatisfactory situation in which we found ourselves at the last meeting of the General Assembly would not be repeated. The Secretary replied that he hoped that we may be able to give the Ambassador some information on this subject before his departure. He added that the United states position is sill under discussion and that it was hoped that in the next few days a position could be presented to the President for his approval. Sr. Tarchiani said that he would hope for some word on the Colonies question when he meets with Mr. Rusk before his departure. The Secretary expressed his interest in Italy's desire to take a part in the economic development of Africa and indicated the United States Government's readiness to take into consideration whatever proposals on this subject the Italian Government may have. Sr. Tar- chiani recalled an earlier conversation between Mr. Sforza and Mr. Bevin which was concerned with this subject and he emphasized Italy's interest in contributing technicians and manpower to the development of hydro-electric power, roads, agriculture, etc. in those undeveloped regions of Africa which hold most promise for sub- stantial an