740.5/3–1853: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Bunker) to the Department of State 1
4062. 1. Italian Ministers informed Bruce and me yesterday that they were not able to seek ratification EDC Treaty by Lower House before dissolution for election. De Gasperi said he knew the great importance of Italy going ahead now and was fully aware that his decision would be very bad news in United States. He deeply regretted necessity to make adverse decision. His parliamentary difficulties had worsened in past two weeks and after a most careful survey, it is clear that no hope exists of overcoming Commie obstruction before dissolution which he feels must take place by end next week. Election prospects2 are already serious, with Trieste question3 major unknown, and a successful commie filibuster would appear as defeat for government and would be most prejudicial to favorable election results.
2. De Gasperi asked that United States understand Italy’s present difficulties and be patient, continuing strong and firm support. That Italy might change in her determination to bring about European unity is unthinkable. It is certain that Italy will ratify and fulfill its obligation to her partners. While it is not possible to obtain immediate ratification because of efforts of Communism to weaken Europe, Italian Government will take issue of EDC and European unity to Italian people as an election issue.
3. De Gasperi would not give possible date for ratification other than to say it would be late summer. He said speed depended in part on outcome of elections. Pella in separate conversation said ratification would be in September. Embassy will review prospects for different procedures and cable separately. Possibility of early ratification by Senate also seems ruled out.
4. De Gasperi said Germany might interpret his action as part of a deal with the French but he hoped they would also understand his real problems. He commented that Bidault, a “clever” person, was hard to pin down but we must nevertheless be sympathetic to very difficult domestic political situation facing Bidault.
5. Bruce and I saw separately Pella, Taviani, Campilli, Pacciardi and La Malfa. All repeated the same theme of sincere regret and determination by Italy and of patience by US. Taviani underlined European unity in all its forms as only hope for Italy and Europe; Pella stressed need for economic integration; La Malfa is worried over trade liberalization problem and feels may have to impose restrictions after elections; Campilli raised problems of Sardinian coal mines and high [Page 777] cost steel industry; and Pacciardi dwelt proudly on the great improvement in morale and fighting capacity of new Italian Army.
- Repeated to Paris, The Hague, Brussels, Bonn, London, and Luxembourg.↩
- Documentation on the Italian elections of June 1953 is presented in volume vi .↩
- Documentation on Trieste is presented in volume viii .↩