Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

740.5/12–1753: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Luce) to the Department of State ¹

secret

Rome, December 17, 1953—11 a.m.

1924. During conversation with DeGasperi December 15 he said that if Trieste were settled satisfactorily Pella government with Monarchist backing could pass EDC with big majority. He also believed that EDC could be ratified without Trieste settlement, but that price would be addition to protocol to effect that full Italian adherence to EDC could not take place until “reasonable solution of Italian Eastern frontier had been found”.

DeGasperi said that government could announce before Christmas its intention introduce EDC when Parliament reconvenes in January. EDC would be referred to committee study which could take up to two months. DeGasperi believed that completion Parliamentary consideration in Chamber and Senate following committee study would be fairly speedy. However, he was certain that if by time of final Parliamentary action, Trieste not settled, Parliament would insist upon protocol mentioned above. He inquired what our reactions would be to passage EDC with Trieste limitation.

I have reason believe that Pella is now considering announcement before Christmas of government’s intention introduce EDC when Parliament reconvenes. It is possible that DeGasperi’s approach is attempt to place on us responsibility whether or not EDC is introduced with possibility of Trieste protocol. In this connection, recall that Pella has been at pains not to commit himself on such linkage and do not believe we should accept any such linkage.²

Luce

1. Repeated to Paris for Secretary Dulles.
2. In telegram 1963 from Rome, Dec. 22, Luce reported that a Foreign Office official concerned with EDC had informed her that Pella had decided that the political climate would not permit introduction of the EDC to the Italian Parliament before Christmas and, therefore, no announcement was being considered. Luce added: “Foreign Office official said Pella had impression from recent NATO Council meeting that US Government understands Italy’s political problem and does not expect action here until Trieste problem resolved or French attitude clarified” (740.5/12–2253).