450.6031/5–450: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
1829. Excon. Reference Depcirtel April 28.1 Italian Government has since latter part 1948 applied export controls toward eastern Europe paralleling those of US. Exports all 1–A and 1–B items toward eastern Europe under licensing control. Request for licensing 1–A items rejected and requests considered excessive for 1–B items have been scaled down in trade agreement negotiations, as in case ball bearings. Monthly list furnished by Italian Government containing approved 1–B items.
In view Italian position leadership imposition and application export controls and fact UK controls have not been as complete as those imposed by Italy, believe introduction UK Embassy here into east-west trade negotiations would accomplish no useful purpose and arouse resentment Italians. For this reason Embassy has not approached UK Embassy to prepare joint statement. Our judgment is [Page 106] full cooperation in adoption and application controls can be expected from Italian Government in future as in past.
Sent Department 1829; repeated Paris 220.
- Not printed. It asked the Missions in Western Europe to report on the current status and to assess the future cooperation which could be expected from individual governments in the adoption and application of export controls. The possibility was raised of preparing such reports in consultation with British Missions (450.6031/4–2850). The circular telegram was transmitted separately to Brussels as telegram 562, April 29, not printed.↩