Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western Europe, Volume VII, Part 2

213. Letter From Prime Minister Fanfani to President Eisenhower⁰

Rome, July 18, 1958.

Mr. President: The action undertaken by the United States in the Middle East,¹ in fulfillment of existing treaties and within the framework of the United Nations Charter, has been received by the majority of Italians and by the Government over which I preside with the favor merited by all generous attempts to defend the principles of justice and liberty on which the maintenance of peace and international order depend.

I cannot, however, fail to express the concern which this new initiative has aroused in all those who fear that unforeseen complications may give rise to threats to peace, against the very will of the President and people of the United States of America.

As you will recall, in the Mediterranean crisis of the autumn of 1956 I had the occasion, in an entirely personal capacity, to establish certain contacts of a confidential character (concerning which I did not fail to inform my predecessor in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Martino) in full harmony with the plans and actions of the Government of the United States.² Since then the situation in the Middle East has profoundly changed, as I feared, to the detriment of the West.

Having been called now to the direct responsibility of Government, I want you to know that you can count on my collaboration, to the extent that it is within my power, to the purpose of turning the present crisis toward the objectives of peace for all and security for the Western World and to pave the way as soon as possible for a solution of the underlying problems which have created the present grave situation in the Middle East and in Africa, from Algeria to Israel. To delay further the solution of such problems would aggravate the dangers of which the Italian Government and people are so fully aware.

May I therefore express the wish that, as soon as the present difficulties can be overcome, it may be possible to find a means of meeting such problems, bringing to them a solution within the bounds of international practice, and thus eliminating those profound causes of uneasiness on which the enemies of the Free World speculate.

It is not possible for sincerely democratic countries to postpone courageous and efficacious action to demonstrate to the people of the Middle East how their true interests and all real progress toward democracy and prosperity, with complete regard for the fundamental liberties, can be carried out in the framework of collaboration with the free countries of the West.

Please accept, Mr. President, the expression of my highest consideration.³

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 765.13/7–2158. Confidential; Presidential Handling. The source text is a translation transmitted to the Department of State as an attachment to despatch 75, July 21. In telegram 215, from Rome, July 18, Ambassador Zellerbach reported that Fanfani had called him to his office to give him the letter for Eisenhower and to inform him that a similar letter had been sent to Chancellor Adenauer urging support of U.S. intervention in Lebanon. Fanfani added that U.S. action made possible finding solutions of Middle East problems “independently” of the Soviet Union. He also stated that he would make a strong statement of public support for the United States the following morning in Parliament. (Ibid., 611.65/7–1858)
1. On July 14, U.S. troops landed in Lebanon.
2. This reference has not been identified.
3. Printed from an unsigned copy.