740.5/8–1451: Telegram
The Chargé in Italy (Thompson) to the Secretary of State 1
750. Pursuant Deptel 722, Aug 11discussed European army question with Zoppi who stated Ital Govt had never considered this matter and that discussions so far had been held on authority officials or assumption they would never lead anywhere. In view far-reaching commitments involved governmental consideration was necessary before they cld proceed further. Said Itals were concerned since about one-third their budget went for military expenditure and place and manner of this expenditure major economic and social importance to Italy. Until political machinery agreed upon they would not know how control such matters would be exercised. Control over armed forces one of major attributes of sovereignty and he doubted if scheme practical unless there was a large measure of political integration which Italy favored but was not sanguine of accomplishment. He said papers had been given to PriMin to study during his vacation as a matter of urgency.
When I pointed out that attendance steering committee did not involve commitment and stressed bad impression that would be caused by Italy’s blocking further action at this time, he agreed to send telegram to De Gasperi for instructions.
From earlier discussions with Vitetti we know Itals are concerned by inability ascertain just what political arrangements French have in mind. They have been evasive in answering Ital queries and Itals fear they are being asked to let the Fr play their cards.2
- This telegram was repeated to Paris and London.↩
- In telegram 1359, August 30, from Paris, not printed, the Embassy reported that Alphand had been informed by the Italian Foreign Ministry that Prime Minister De Gasperi had not yet studied the Interim Report of the European Army Conference and consequently would not send an observer to the September 3 meeting of the Conference Steering Committee (740.5/8–3051). Telegram 1049, September 1, to Rome, not printed, urged the Embassy to continue efforts to persuade Italian representatives to attend the Steering Committee meeting and to underline General Eisenhower’s support for the European Defense Community (740.5/9–151). In a conversation with Italian Chargé Luciolli on August 31, not printed, Western European Affairs Director Byington expressed American concern over Italian nonattendance at the Steering Committee meeting and urged that an Italian representative be present at the meeting (memorandum of conversation by Byington, August 31, 740.5/8–3151). Telegram 1420, September 3, from Paris, not printed, reporting on the meeting of the Conference Steering Committee that day, indicated that an Italian representative had been in attendance (740.5/9–351).↩