HC Deb 06 March 1946 vol 420 cc89-90W
Major N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the terms of reference of the boundary commission at present engaged in framing proposals for the delimitation of the Italo-Yugoslav border.

Mr. Bevin

In accordance with the decisions of the Council of Foreign Ministers in September, the Deputies to the Council of Foreign Ministers have appointed a Commission of Experts to prepare a report and recommendations on fixing the boundary between Italy and Yugoslavia, which boundary will in the main be the ethnic line leaving a minimum population under alien rule. In carrying out its task the Commission of Experts will take into consideration not only the ethnic composition of the areas to be investigated but also their special economic and geographical features.

The Deputies have instructed the Commission to study the documents concerning the boundary which have been submitted to the Council of Foreign Ministers by the Governments of Yugoslavia and Italy, as well as the views which have been submitted by other United Nations Governments in accordance with the invitations which were extended to them by the Council of Foreign Ministers. The Deputies have also instructed the Commission to proceed immediately to the area in question in order to study the ethnical composition of the population as well as the special economic and geographical features of that area.

On completion of its investigations on the spot the Commission will return to London where it will prepare a final report and recommendations for submission to the Council of Foreign Ministers. The Commission of Experts will shortly arrive at Trieste and will consist of: M. Wolfram (France), M. Gerashchenko (U.S.S.R.), Mr. C. H. M. Waldock (United Kingdom) and Dr. P. E. Mosely . (U.S.A.).

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