Defence Committee has expressed the view that such draft Treaties
as they have seen are generally consistent with Australian defence
policy. [1] The Committee adds, however-
Begins-

Although it is not expressly referred to in the Italian draft
Treaty the Defence Committee noted from Dominions Office Cablegram
No.D.725 of 22nd July, that the Council of Foreign Ministers has
agreed that the final disposal of Italian territorial possessions
in Africa shall be determined jointly by the Governments of the
U.S.S.R., U.S.A., United Kingdom and France, within one year of
coming into force of the present Treaty, in the manner laid down
in the joint declaration of 12th July, 1946, issued by the said
Governments. The Defence Committee considered that in order that
British Naval and Air communications in the Mediterranean are
adequately safeguarded, it is most desirable that the United
Kingdom Government should obtain the trusteeship of Cyrenaica and
Tripolitania. In this connection the Committee affirmed the
following views communicated to you in my memorandum of 3rd May,
1944:-

1. That no territories south of the Suez Canal should be left in
Italian hands.

2. That the disposition of Italian Overseas Possessions in the
Mediterranean Area should be such that British Naval and Air
communications in the Mediterranean are adequately safeguarded.

In recording the above opinions at this stage, the Committee has
requested that when the question of trusteeship of Italian
colonies arises the matter be referred for examination from the
Defence aspect.