"GIFT TO YUGOSLAVIA"

Chronicle (Levin), 28 June 1946, Page 5

"GIFT TO YUGOSLAVIA"

Press Assn.

Russia's New Plan For Trieste ' no settlement reached

By Telegraph

.-Copyright

liecefved Thursday, 8.Q p.m. LONDON, June 27. Mr. M'clotov made an entirely new proposal for Trieste at -a meeting of the Foreign Ministers last night. He proposed that Trieste shouRl be an aiitonomqus district under Yugoslav sovereiguty and administered under a stgtute approved by the four Powers. He said he could pot agree to auything which did not mcet the Yugoslav 's desire for sovereignty over' this territqry-or to auything "vague by nature". - AEr. Mo).o.tQv prefaced the proposal with the commpnt- that Tito and de Gasperi both publicly stated they would not sign a peace settlement taking Trieste from either hatio.n. Mr. IMolotov claimed that j\1. Bidault's plan for internationalisation was too vague and did not- meet the just desires of Yngoslavia. Italy Avas, a former enemv nation and could not be placed on a par with Yugoslavia wliicli epnsistently fought on the side Qf the Allies. ifr. yfolotov suggested for Trieste: Firstly, a House of Representatives elected by universal suffrage. Secondly, a G-overnqr appointed by the Yugpslavs. Thirdiy, the four Powers to supervisp the statute pnder which the atito--nompus area was administered. Fourthly, the Yugoslavs to hold responsxhility for the current affairs of the territory.

Mr. Moiotov said he was prepared to agree as "an extreme concessio.n," to joint sovereignty over Trieste "by the Italians and Yugoslavs, with two Governors, one Italian and one Yugoslav. Mr. Moiotov maintained support for die Russian line on tlie YugoslavFtalian frontier, subject to niinor changes in favour of tlie Italians. Both XTr. Bevin and Mr. Bvrnes criticised ^rr. !Molotov's plan. ATr. Bevin supported the Italian e.laini to Trieste with a frontier based on the Frenc.li line. Mr. Byrnes, becapse of the conflict of views, stronglv advocated allowing the decision to rest with the 21 nations peace conference. Mr. Byrnes said he fullv reeognised the status of 'Yugoslavia as an ally but a greqt effort had already been made to safisfy Yugoslavia. Britain and America had alreadv agreed to a eompromi.se on the proposed etlniic line for the frontier by accepting the Frencli plan. Mr. Byrnes pointed out that the Frencli line gave Yugoslavia 3120 square niiles contain- | ing 540.000 persons of wliom 12S.000 were Italian. Italy, on the other hand. would retain 505 square miles of Venpzia Giulia with a population of 423,000 of wliom 115,000 were Yugoslavs. Mr. Byrnes said Mr. Moiotov 's .firsf proposal was tantnmount to a gift of Trieste to Yugoslavia while the second proposal would mean friction between two governors. Mr. Moiotov, replying to iMr. Byrnes' proposal to suhniit Trieste to the full peace conference, said it would be unwise and would liave the resuU of splitfing the conference into two canijis. He felt his pi'oposals represented an'important coneession by Russia and indi eated disappointment at their reception.