Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Western Europe and Canada, Volume XXVII

63. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Italy¹

Washington, February 11, 1955— 5:05 p.m.

2551. During call on Secretary Feb 11 Brosio gave assurance Italian Government moving ahead on ratification Paris Agreements.² He stated Scelba had chosen late March for visit in order have ratification behind them. Secretary referred to importance unity and strength to set purposeful course alliance notwithstanding French difficulties and hesitations.

Brosio then inquired regarding agenda items we had in mind for Scelba visit. He said Scelba proposed publicly to present purpose visit as good will and high level tour d’horizon. He said however that Prime Minister undoubtedly would desire to discuss internal economic as well as political position in Italy. Expectation was 4-year abstraction Vanoni plan³ would be ready for Cabinet consideration mid-February and submission to OEEC March 15.

Secretary agreed desirability preparation agenda and confirmed we were now awaiting any specific suggestions this regard from Rome.⁴ Ambassador indicated he would call again on Secretary when Rome’s suggestions received.

In brief discussion Sicilian elections and general strength Communists in Italy,⁵ Ambassador expressed himself as not pessimistic, regarding Communists more as hindrance to orderly government than as menace capable gaining control through elections or overthrow government by subversion.

He then referred to Scelba’s anti-Communist measures which Secretary emphasized we hoped would be vigorously pressed.

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.6511/2–1155. Secret. Drafted and signed for Dulles by Merchant.
2. Reference is to the Nine-Power and Four-Power Agreements, signed October 23, 1954, which brought Germany and Italy into the Western European Union, and Germany into NATO. The Italian Chamber of Deputies ratified the Paris Agreements on December 23, 1954; the Senate ratified them on March 11, 1955. For text of the agreements, see Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. V, pp. 1435 ff.
3. The Vanoni Plan was a 10-year plan for Italian economic development, prepared by Italian Budget Minister Vanoni. The February 1, 1955, issue of the Department of State classified publication Current Economic Developments contains a detailed analysis of the plan. (Department of State, Current Economic Developments: Lot 70 D 467)
4. In telegram 2885 from Rome, February 9, Luce reported on a meeting with Scelba in which the agenda of his Washington visit was discussed. Scelba informed Luce that he hoped to discuss economic issues while he was in Washington, and that he would present an agenda to the Embassy after his return from a visit to London. (Ibid., Central Files, 033.6511/2–955) Scelba was in London February 15–20.
5. The elections were held on June 5. In telegram 4526 from Rome, June 7, Counselor Durbrow reported that the elections had resulted in the extreme right and left suffering losses, while the Christian Democrats increased in strength. Durbrow concluded that the Christian Democrats would be able to form a one-party government or could continue their present arrangement of combining with the monarchist party, but without having to rely as heavily on monarchist support. (Ibid., 765.00/6–755)