The Treaties imposed limits on the armed forces to be maintained by these States. These limits were satisfactory in relation to the armed strength of Greece. They might, however, be frustrated by the creation of an organised militia and there were signs that such a paramilitary force was being created in Bulgaria. We had been unable to secure all the provisions which we had sought with a view to restoring the pre-war position of the British oil companies in Romania. The Treaties provided that all Allied occupation troops should be withdrawn from Italy and the Balkan States within 90 days after the signature of the Treaties. It was hoped, therefore, that the Soviet Government would no longer maintain troops in these countries of South-East Europe on the ground that they were guarding the lines of communication of their forces in Austria. For our part we had arranged that our communications to our troops in Austria should in future be maintained through the United States Zone of Germany and not through Italy. If Soviet troops were thus withdrawn from Bulgaria, it would become politically impossible for us to keep British troops in Greece. Our forces in Venezia Giulia would also be substantially reduced. We had agreed with the United States authorities that for the international garrison of Trieste we should each provide a force of 5,000; and this would be the limit of our military commitment in this area. If the conclusion of these Treaties resulted in a general withdrawal of occupation forces from Italy and South-East Europe, it would make a substantial contribution towards the easing of our man-power situation. 2. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY said that the Council of Foreign Ministers had agreed to meet in Moscow on 10th march to discuss Germany. They had further agreed to appoint special Deputies who would at once begin, in London, preparatory work for this meeting. The Deputies were, in particular, to ascertain and report to the Council by 25th February the view of Allied States
The Treaties imposed limits on the armed forces to be maintained by these States. These limits were satisfactory in relation to the armed strength of Greece. They might, however, be frustrated by the creation of an organised militia and there were signs that such a paramilitary force was being created in Bulgaria. We had been unable to secure all the provisions which we had sought with a view to restoring the pre-war position of the British oil companies in Romania. The Treaties provided that all Allied occupation troops should be withdrawn from Italy and the Balkan States within 90 days after the signature of the Treaties. It was hoped, therefore, that the Soviet Government would no longer maintain troops in these countries of South-East Europe on the ground that they were guarding the lines of communication of their forces in Austria. For our part we had arranged that our communications to our troops in Austria should in future be maintained through the United States Zone of Germany and not through Italy. If Soviet troops were thus withdrawn from Bulgaria, it would become politically impossible for us to keep British troops in Greece. Our forces in Venezia Giulia would also be substantially reduced. We had agreed with the United States authorities that for the international garrison of Trieste we should each provide a force of 5,000; and this would be the limit of our military commitment in this area. If the conclusion of these Treaties resulted in a general withdrawal of occupation forces from Italy and South-East Europe, it would make a substantial contribution towards the easing of our man-power situation. 2. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY said that the Council of Foreign Ministers had agreed to meet in Moscow on 10th march to discuss Germany. They had further agreed to appoint special Deputies who would at once begin, in London, preparatory work for this meeting. The Deputies were, in particular, to ascertain and report to the Council by 25th February the view of Allied States
1947-01-02-Cabinet-conclusions-Bevin-report.docx