Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, Western Europe, Volume III

865.24/3–348: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

secret   urgent

Washington, March 5, 1948—noon.

592. Urtel 904 Mar 3.¹ At press conference Mar 3, Under Secretary questioned re report Ital Govt had requested US send certain arms to Italy; requested to confirm or deny report, and state what we are contemplating doing. Lovett replied “I can deny that.” He stated report re request for something like thirty thousand machineguns or hundred thousand rifles is “completely groundless”. He added “de Gasperi has not requested any such assistance”. Off the record Under Secretary added he would prefer not to have Dept comment on reports this nature. He told reporters he assumed they were aware that during war, after Ital armistice when Italy a co-belligerent was fighting against Germany, certain Ital troops were equipped by Allies. He added that Ital Govt has been obtaining through surplus Allied materials over a period of time. Lovett said that this the only information Dept has and that this may have been basis for story. He stated also for background that he did not know whether Itals had been buying this material or acquiring it from surplus stocks but that whatever amounts were involved are within treaty limitations. (End press conference comment.)

You may desire issue statement from Embassy along lines Lovett’s on the record comments above.

While we agree desirability deny this false rumor, de Gasperi must realize continuing deliveries equipment involved in program now under negotiation will certainly be observed and become general knowledge. Accordingly, we consider he must be prepared to explain deliveries. We believe explanation that deliveries are in furtherance re-equipment program undertaken by Allies during early days Itals co-belligerency could be easily defended by Ital Govt as legitimate program within treaty limits entirely compatible and essential to Italy’s vital security interests.²

Marshall

1. In this telegram, not printed, Dunn mentioned an Agence France press report which he believed to be the same as Drew Pearson’s report; and he suggested that the Department follow the same line as the comment authorized by the Italian Government (865.20/3–348).

   In niact 887 of March 2, not printed, Dunn gave the text of comment prepared by the Italian Government: “Information is completely baseless (the Italian Government has neither sought nor obtained from Department of State weapons of any sort either to meet with possible disorders during elections or for any other aim).

   “All material in possession of Italian armed forces comes from Italian deposits and from Allied surplus deposits obtained through year in accordance with agreements duly stipulated with Allies and within limits laid down by peace treaty.” (865.20/3–248)

   In telegram 920 of March 3, not printed, Dunn forwarded, in translation, Facchinetti’s statement as reported in Messaggero: “report is lacking in foundation. Italian Government has neither requested nor obtained from American State Department arms of any kind either to meet possible election disorders or for any other purpose. All material of Italian armed forces comes from national depots and from Allied surplus war material camps through ARAR on basis of agreements previously concluded with Allies and within limits provided by peace treaty.” (865.20/3–348)

2. In telegram 935 of March 4, not printed, Dunn reported that the statement by Under Secretary Lovett in the press conference was reported in four of the leading Roman newspapers (865.20/3–448).