Office of the Historian

138. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, September 25, 19571

Washington, September 25, 1957

SUBJECT

  • Italy’s relations with its NATO Allies

PARTICIPANTS

  • Italian:
    • Sig. Giuseppe Pella, Italian Foreign Minister
    • Amb. Manlio Brosio, Italian Ambassador
    • Sig. Massimo Magistrate Director General, Political Affairs, Italian Foreign Office
    • Sig. Attilio Cattani, Director General, Economic Affairs, Italian Foreign Office
  • U.S.:
    • The Secretary
    • Ambassador Zellerbach
    • Mr. C. Burke Elbrick,EUR
    • Mr. H.G. Torbert, Jr., WE
    • Mr. Jose A. DeSeabra, Interpreter

After opening amenities Foreign Minister Pella observed that he was very pleased with the outcome of the German elections. If Chancellor Adenauer had not won, it would have been a somber moment in Europe since his principal opponent showed definite leanings toward neutralism. He observed that European neutralism for the creation of a third force today would be a definite blow to the Free World, equivalent to giving additional troops to the Soviets.

Mr. Pella assured the Secretary that the Italian Government would consistently attempt to remain above any petty internal political disputes which might arise during the course of the forthcoming electoral campaign. Friendship between the U.S. and Italy is a basic fact of Italian political life and the foundation of its foreign policy. The second important basis of Italian foreign policy is the NATO alliance. It would be absurd to think of any Italian foreign policy that would not be sincerely and completely consistent with the principles upon which [Page 431] that alliance rests. Italy desires to make the alliance even more efficient and significant through broader political consultations and closer economic cooperation. Italy maintains her faith in “the European idea”.

As for Italy’s internal political situation, the cordiality shown Italy by the United States, and particularly by this meeting with Secretary Dulles, will be a significant contribution to the favorable outcome of the elections. At this point the Foreign Minister paid tribute also to Ambassador Zellerbach who, he said, deals with Italian problems with great cordiality and understanding.

The Secretary, on his part, noted the usefulness to the United States of the fact that the United Nations headquarters was in New York thus making possible this kind of a frank talk with visiting world statesmen. The United States, he said, understands the role that Italy plays in Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. We wish to encourage this role because we feel that it is healthy and sane in its influence on the difficult problems of the area. He mentioned that although we used to discuss and settle a wide range of world problems at tripartite conversations with the British and the French, we have discontinued this practice since about three years ago. Although he would not wish to draw attention to this fact publicly, he wished to tell the Foreign Minister confidentially that this change was not accidental but a recognition of the right of many countries of the world to a full voice in international problems which were of concern to them. Rather than putting other important countries such as Italy and Germany in second place, our policy now is to have either bilateral talks or, in the case of matters of general concern, to use the NATO machinery. The Secretary appreciated Italy’s consistent support in international matters, including the whole range of problems in the Middle East. As a result of our experience we have no fear of Italy subscribing to ideas such as the “third force” or neutralism. In closing this part of his remarks, the Secretary observed that it was a tragedy that Europe, with its great wealth of tradition, manpower, and resources should be so divided and, therefore, should not realize its potential as an equal power which could in itself offset the great strength of the Soviet-Communist menace.

  1. Source: Department of State, Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199. Confidential. Drafted by Torbert. Foreign Minister Pella was in the United States as head of the Italian Delegation to the Twelfth Session of the U.N. General Assembly. In telegram 991 from Rome, September 11, Jernegan reported that Pella wished to see Secretary Dulles while he was in the United States. The Italians considered the meeting essential to convince the Italian public that Italy’s views on world issues were being given proper consideration by the United States. Jernegan agreed with this and suggested that a meeting with Dulles would be helpful to the Italian Government. (Ibid., Central Files, 765.13/9–1157) In telegram 1086 to Rome, September 13, the Department of State replied that the Secretary could meet with Pella on September 25. (Ibid.)

    Additional memoranda were prepared covering the discussion of disarmament, Tunis, the Italian-Iranian oil agreement, and the “Pella Plan” for Middle East development. (Ibid., Secretary’s Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 64 D 199, Italy)

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