Memorandum, State Department Summary of Telegrams

DEPARTMENT OF STATE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY wASHINGTON March 3, 1948 SUMMARY OF TELEGRAMS ITALY We are informing Bevin and Bidault of our serious concern over the political situation in Italy and of our feeling that the US, UK and France should take every opportunity during the current electoral period to demonstrate to the Italian people the close support given them by the western powers. In addition to the steps already planned by the US and France we would like to see action taken on the presentation of Italian views concerning the German economy, the transfer to Italy of proceeds from German assets in Italy, closer con- sultation with Italy on European reconstruction measures, and the admis- sion of Italy to the Tangier regime. FRANCE Following recent developments in Czechoslovakia and Finland, General de Gaulle is understood to be planning to propose in a speech on March 7 the creation of a strong western European union, in which France under de Gaulle's leadership would play the leading role, as the only means to prevent Communist efforts to ring down the iron curtain on the Atlantic. Bidault has also informed Caffery that in view of recent events he has changed his position about desiring a western European agreement aimed only at Germany. What he now desires is a concrete mili- tary alliance against possible Soviet aggression, though he feels there must be some specific mention of Germany "for domestic political reasons". GERMANY Ambassador Douglas is authorized to state in the London discussions on Germany that we can make no commitments con- cerning the French zone of Germany under ERP without corresponding commitments from the French concerning a closer association of their zone with the combined US-UK zones of Germany. CZECHOSLOVAKIA We are informing Ambassador Steinhardt that after careful consideration we do not feel that his pro- posal for a temporary suspension of freight shipments into and out of Czechoslovakia through the US zone of Germany would be advisable. the Ministry of Defense desires the immediate recall of two attaches The Czech Foreign Office has informed Steinhardt that of the US Embassy staff in Praha. Steinhardt feels that unless we take immediate steps to expel two Czech representatives in Germany we will be faced with further demands on our Embassy staff. DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guideline, June 12, 1979 By NLT- He NARS, Date 11-13-to