840.50 Recovery/3–1648: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Vincent) to the Secretary of State
309. We do not feel that the Italian view on Switzerland reported in Rome’s 978 to Department (repeated Bern as 17), March 61 is based on realities of situation.
Switzerland seems firmly committed to support ERP although it is quite probable that Swiss would make broad reservations if not withdrawn should ERP be expanded into political and military fields. Federal Councillor Petitpierre in speech reported my 240, March 22 was specific in saying, “We have no reason up to the present to regret cooperation with the CEEC”, furthermore, his imminent visit to London (my 300, March 152) is interpreted as evidence deep interest of Swiss in general problem.
As to their neutrality Swiss have little illusion it could be maintained in any future big power conflict and they clearly perceive that trend of events carries most serious implications for them. Bern correspondent of Journal de Genève seems to have expressed quite succinctly view of large body of Swiss: Emphasis on political neutrality does not deprive Swiss of their freedom of expression (this has been made clear in official and press reaction to events in Czechoslovakia) neutrality no guarantee because only country threatening Switzerland would not respect it but neutrality should nevertheless be retained because of possible future use.
The Swiss would deny strongly and correctly, we feel, that their attitude is comparable to former American isolationism. Within their neutrality they publicly recognize the far-reaching effect of events on themselves and are desirous of doing all within their means to influence favorably the course of events. They now interpret those means to be economic cooperation within the framework of ERP and moral condemnation of Soviet tactics while maintaining technical neutrality. I believe we can expect them to continue this attitude; if there is a change it is likely to be toward closer cooperation rather than in opposite direction.
Sent Department as 309, repeated Rome as 7.
- In telegram 978 from Rome, not printed, Ambassador Dunn reported that to the Italian way of thinking, the Swiss attitude toward collaboration in the European Recovery Program was akin to the “most virulent kind of American ‘isolationism’ of other decades.” (840.50 Recovery/3–648)↩
- Not printed.↩
- Not printed.↩