Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, Western Europe, Volume IV

865.00/12–2248: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

confidential

Washington, January 6, 1949—6 p. m.

26. Dept of course continues favor unification Ital Socialist forces and welcomes action Clacton Conference (London’s 5334 Dec 22 rptd Rome 237²) re PSI. We shd, however, regret any move by Brit labor leaders to persuade Saragat leave govt.

In our opinion not necessary PSLI first withdraw from govt in order seek participation on basis stronger Socialist Party, if and when unification shd occur. In your discretion, you may speak informally to Saragat in this sense, adding we feel solution Ital problems still require cooperation and best efforts anti-Commie elements.³

Emb London may if deemed advisable bring Dept’s views informally to attention FonOff and Brit labor leaders.

Sent Rome rptd London as 60.

Lovett

2. In this telegram, not printed, Holmes reported from London that a subcommittee of the Clacton International Socialist Conference had written to the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) demanding clear proof of its desire to unite with the Saragat and Lombardo Socialists and to break its ties with the Communists or face expulsion (865.00S/12–2248).
3. In telegram 188 from Rome, January 19, Ambassador Dunn reported that Thomas A. Lane, an attaché of the Embassy, had explained the views of the Department of State to Alberto Simonini, political secretary of the PSLI. Simonini had expressed full agreement with the Department’s views. (865.00/1–1949)