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Department of External Affairs to Noel-Baker

Cablegram 45, CANBERRA, 20 February 1948, 6.05 p.m.

IMMEDIATE SECRET

Your D.82 Italian Colonies.

In absence of full information regarding conditions in ex-Italian territories, which we had expected Commission of Investigation to provide, we find it impossible to offer any endorsement of or even comment[1] on assessment of situation outlined in your telegram under reference. Our position therefore remains unchanged.

_[1] A number of draft replies setting out Australia’s views were prepared but not sent.

_

[AA : A1838, 85/4/2/6, II]