Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, General; The United Nations, Volume I

501.AA/8–1547

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Acting Secretary of State¹

Washington, August 15, 1947.

Participants:	Ambassador Tarchiani
	Mr. Lovett, Acting Secretary
	Mr. Dowling, SE
	Mr. Thompson, SPA

The Italian Ambassador called at his request today to express, he said, Count Sforza’s² sincere appreciation for the financial agreement signed yesterday. The Ambassador said that Count Sforza was particularly gratified by the statement which I had made at the time of the signing.³

Tarchiani then referred to Italy’s application for membership in the United Nations which is now being considered by the Membership Committee of the Security Council.⁴ He said that the Italian Government appreciated the support given by the United States⁵ but was somewhat concerned since the Security Council discussions seemed to be leading up to a Soviet veto. He mentioned that other procedural possibilities might offer a way to permit Italy’s admission to the United Nations, at least when the treaties had come into effect.

I told the Ambassador that the question of Italy’s admission was, of course, a matter regarding which it was difficult to make any prediction. He had said there had been some talk of a blanket admission, but this seemed to me to be out of the question both as concerns procedure under the Charter and as concerns this Government’s attitude towards some of the countries now applying for admission. I added that in any event if the USSR were to block Italy’s entry into the United Nations it would have to veto Italy specifically as all applications would apparently have to be voted on individually.

After some further discussion the Ambassador agreed with me that this was a problem which would have to be worked out in the light of subsequent developments since we did not yet know exactly what attitude the several members of the Security Council would take. I assured Tarchiani that we were in entire sympathy with Italy’s eagerness to get into the United Nations and that we would give every consideration to the matter.

1. Drafted by Walter C. Dowling, Assistant Chief of the Division of Southern European Affairs.
2. Count Carlo Sforza was Italian Foreign Minister.
3. For information regarding the “Memorandum of Understanding”, signed at Washington, August 14, 1947, see editorial note, vol. iii, p. 956.
4. See the Ambassador’s Memorandum of August 15, infra, probably left with the Department at this time.
5. In a separate note of even date the Ambassador expressed to the Acting Secretary of State the appreciation of the Italian Government for this support (501.AA/8–1547).