765.13/8–1551
Memorandum by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Bonbright) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Matthews)1
Subject: Visit of Italian Prime Minister
The Italian Chargé d’ Affaires has conveyed the desire of the Italian Prime Minister to visit Washington on his way back to Italy after the Ottawa Conference.2 In presenting the request, Mr. Luciolli indicated that Mr. De Gasperi might come to Washington at a later date and as a result, not attend the Ottawa Conference if it were the preference of this Government for a later date. A subsequent communication from the American Embassy at Rome confirms the Italian Prime Minister’s attendance at the Ottawa Conference and mentions the dates of September 18 to September 21 as a possibility for Mr. De Gasperi’s visit here.
Difficulties in our relations with Italy over such issues as lack of progress in revision of the Italian Peace Treaty, in the face of a Japanese Treaty and a German settlement, Trieste, disagreement over the amount of U.S. economic and military aid and Italian concern that Italy is being slighted in European defense arrangements, make such a visit desirable at this time. Also, it would be difficult for us to refuse this request in the light of our having received both Mr. Attlee3 and Mr. Pleven, as well as President Auriol during the past months.4
Since Prime Minister De Gasperi also holds the portfolio of Foreign Minister in the present Italian Government, it is believed that the President’s participation in the visit could be limited to a [Page 649] luncheon and one conference. In this connection it would be desirable to advance the date of the ceremony planned for the Memorial Bridge Horses, now scheduled for October 12, to take place during the Prime Minister’s visit. It would, therefore, be necessary also to obtain the President’s consent to change his appearance at this ceremony from October 12 to the new date to be established on September 21, 22, or 23. Other than one formal conference with the President, the Secretary could undertake the discussions with Mr. De Gasperi in the latter’s capacity as Foreign Minister.
If we are going to issue the invitation it would seem desirable that it be done as quickly as possible rather than wait until the Secretary’s return next week. It is therefore recommended that you obtain the approval of the President and the Secretary as soon as practicable.
We have informed the Italian Chargé that we hope to be able to concur in the Italian request, but it must be understood that the dates can only be tentative at this time in the light of current developments resulting from the Soviet participation in the conference in San Francisco with regard to the Japanese Peace Treaty.
- Drafted by Byington.↩
- The Seventh Session of the North Atlantic Council was scheduled to meet at Ottawa September 15-20; for documentation concerning this session, see vol. iii, Part 1, pp. 616 ff.↩
- For documentation concerning the visit of Prime Minister Attlee to Washington in December 1950, see Foreign Relations, 1950, vol. iii, pp. 1698 ff.↩
- For documentation concerning the visit of Prime Minister Pleven in January 1951 and President Auriol in March 1951, see Documents 139 ff. and 156 ff., respectively.↩