Conference files, lot 59D95, CF95
Joint Communiqué1
The President of the United States and the Secretary of State and The Prime Minister of Italy have met during the past three days and had a full exchange of views on questions of mutual interest to both countries. For the discussion of economic matters, the Acting Administrator of the Economic Cooperation Administration, Mr. Bissell, and the Minister of the Italian Budget, Mr. Pella, joined the group. At the conclusion of the conversations, the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister issued the following statement:
Conversations were held in the spirit of friendship and cooperation which governs the relations between the United States and Italy. They revealed continuing agreement between the governments of the two countries on common objectives and means of achieving them.
[Page 716]The Secretary of State and the Prime Minister reviewed the general international situation, and agreed that both nations, jointly with the other free nations, must devote their entire energies to achieving peace with security. They agreed further on the need for positive action to bring together the peoples and governments of the Atlantic Community. The Secretary of State and the Prime Minister reviewed the steps already taken to bring about a closer association of the Western European nations, including the German Federal Republic and a European Defense Force, and the Prime Minister expressed to the Secretary of State Italy’s determination to lend cooperation fully in these efforts.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a means of regional defense under the United Nations Charter and its particular importance in closer political and economic cooperation between both Western European and Mediterranean nations were fully recognized. They also recognized that the Mediterranean area is essential to the common defense, and welcomed the steps that had been taken at the recent meeting of the North Atlantic Council at Ottawa.
The Secretary of State reiterated the determination of the United States to press for Italy’s admission into the United Nations in order that Italy may cooperate to the fullest extent in the maintenance of peace and the removal of causes of international tension.
The Secretary of State assured the Prime Minister that his request on behalf of the Italian people for removal of the restrictions and discriminations in the Italian Peace Treaty has been given most favorable consideration by the United States Government. The declaration by the United Kingdom, France and the United States on this subject has been published. The Secretary of State expressed hope that all the governments signatory to the Treaty would give their full concurrence to this declaration.
Regarding Trieste, both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State agreed that a solution to this question would greatly strengthen unity of Western Europe. As stated in the conversation between the Prime Minister and the President, the policies of both governments on this question are well known. The solution should take into account the legitimate aspirations of the Italian people.
The Prime Minister described the urgency of measures to assist in the full utilization of Italian manpower resources. The Secretary of State expressed complete understanding of the importance of this question and the readiness of the United States Government to cooperate in its solution. He informed the Prime Minister that the United States will cooperate with other governments having an interest in evolving practical plans for an international organization [Page 717] to consider and put into effect concrete plans for the solution of the related problem of Italian and European over-population.
The economic problems common to the two countries were reviewed in detail by the representatives of the two governments. On the American side, great satisfaction was expressed at the progress made in strengthening Italy’s economic and financial situation. The Prime Minister was assured that it is the intention of the United States Government to contribute as in the past, within the limits of the funds appropriated to this end by Congress, the military and economic aid necessary to support the Italian effort to develop greater economic strength, social stability, and capacity for defense of its freedom and independence.
Particular attention was given to the idle capacity existing in some sectors of Italian industry and to the possibility of the United States Government placing orders for additional defense production which will contribute to a speedier and fuller Italian participation in the production effort of the NATO countries and which will increase the level of employment in Italy.
Assurance was given of United States help in getting priorities for the equipment necessary to increase the production of electric power and steel in Italy.
The Secretary of State and Minister Pella signed an agreement supplementing the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 1948, which will provide for an increased flow of investments between the two countries.
This friendly and exhaustive exchange of views, both on political and economic matters, confirmed the determination of the two countries to further, in concert with other democratic Nations, their close cooperation in order to solve effectively the problems of welfare, security and peace.
- Issued by the Department of State as press release 869 at noon on September 26.↩