Office of the Historian

219. Memorandum of Conversation0

July 30, 1958, 3 p.m.

SUBJECT

  • Italian Financial Support to Somalia after Independence in 1960

[Here follows the same list of participants as Document 218.]

The Secretary raised with Prime Minister Fanfani the question of the future of Somalia and the problems it will face after the trusteeship is concluded in 1960.1

Signor Fanfani said that his Government is aware of Soviet propaganda objectives in this connection, but considers that it is proper and fitting to yield the trusteeship by the appointed date. He said that his Government has taken note of the concern of Somalia for economic aid after independence, that the Italians will continue to cooperate to help the young government to balance its budget after 1960. [1 line of source text not declassified]. He said that the Government has given consideration to an annual contribution of about $3,000,000. The annual Somali [Page 476] deficit has now reached $10,000,000. Mr. Fanfani noted that the Department has suggested an increase in the Italian contribution. In principle, the Italians expect to consult with the Department in an endeavor to reach a suitable figure. Italy is spending more now than it expects to spend later on. It fully understands this difficult problem.

The Secretary said that he felt that there was a tendency to give full independence too soon to some former colonial areas, even when they do not have adequate training in self-government. The Communists hover like vultures to seize these countries once they gain their freedom. However, the trend to independence is almost irresistible in these times.

Signor Fanfani said that [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. Much will depend upon developments in Egypt, the Yemen and Ethiopia. There is reason to hope that the Ethiopians can exercise a calming influence on developments in Somalia.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 865.0077/7–3058. Secret. Drafted by Service and McBride. See also Documents 218 and 220–224.↩
  2. Italy had been given a 10-year trusteeship over its former colony of Somaliland by the United Nations.↩