115. Memorandum of a Conversation, White House, Washington, August 10, 19561
PARTICIPANTS
- The President
- Signor Amintore Fanfani, Secretary of the Italian Democratic Christian Party
- Signor Gerolamo Messeri, Italian Foreign Office
- Signor Egidio Ortona, Italian Chargé d’Affaires
- Mr. Ellsworth Bunker, President, American Red Cross
- Mr. C. Burke Elbrick, Acting Assistant Secretary, EUR
- Colonel Vernon Walters, Interpreter
Signor Fanfani2 began by expressing to the President his gratitude for the many actions taken by President Eisenhower and his predecessors in the White House to help the Italian nation in time of great need. He also expressed his appreciation for the help rendered by the United States Government and the American Red Cross in connection with the Andrea Doria disaster.3 He said that the Italian Government yesterday had signed a contract to replace the Andrea Doria. In reply to the President’s questions he said that the collision apparently had resulted in severe damage to the machinery of the Andrea Doria which would account for its sinking so rapidly. As for the possibility of raising the sunken ship, Fanfani said that this would prove too costly. [Page 374] The President said that he had had occasion to observe advanced Italian techniques in raising sunken submarines and had thought it might be possible to raise the Andrea Doria.
The President spoke of the contribution that American citizens of Italian extraction had made to the growth and advancement of the United States. Fanfani said that Italians also were proud of these American citizens who, he noted, still took pride in the country from which they came. They had also been of inestimable assistance in helping to rebuild modern Italy. In this connection Fanfani spoke of the task of uniting Europe. The President spoke of his own continued interest in European integration which he had long considered essential not only for the future development of Europe but also for the peace of the world. He agreed with Signor Fanfani, who spoke of the forthcoming meeting at Strasbourg by youth groups to discuss European integration, that it is essential that young people take hold of this movement. The future of a European community lies in their hands. The chances of success in unifying Europe is enhanced by the fact that the youth of the countries in question have not had time to be poisoned by national antagonsims.
The President inquired concerning the prospects for developing the oil and gas resources of the Po Valley. Signor Fanfani said that the lower House of the Italian Parliament had examined the draft law on the exploitation of these resources and had amended the Government’s draft liberally in order not to grant absolute priority to the Italian Government corporation AGIP. The Parliament also considered it important to change the rigid royalties system (60% for the state and 40% for the companies) to provide more liberal return for the companies. The President said while he held no brief for the American oil companies it is vitally important for Italy to develop this great new supply of energy and to obtain, at the same time, the greatest possible return for Italy. If the technical skill of the big oil companies is ignored, Italy would doubtless lose out in the long run. He said that Italy is most important to the North Atlantic Alliance and Italian prosperity is of great interest to all the members of the Alliance. The President had known various United States oil men whom he considered to be very public spirited men. While the oil companies are not in need of any greater profits, they can be of tremendous assistance to Italy. Fanfani agreed and said that the draft oil legislation is now being considered in the Senate. He said that the Democratic Christian Party is “drawing away” from the government draft law with a view to liberalizing it in order that it may serve the purposes suggested by the President.