Draft Press Release

The President has decided that it is in the National interest for the United States to maintain diplomatic representation at the Vatican. He has therefore nominated General Mark W. Clark to be Ambassador to the State of Vatican City. The nomination of General Clark the culmination of events which had their origin when the late President Roosevelt appointed Mr. Myron Taylor as The Personal Representative of the President to His Holiness the Pope During and after the war the Taylor Mission performed an extremely useful service not only in the field of diplomacy but in the amelioration of human suffering. That service is set forth in official correspondence published from time to time. The President feels that the purposes of diplomacy and humanitarianism will be served by this appointment. It is well known that the Vatican is vigorously engaged in the struggle against Communism. Direct diplomatic relations will assist in coordinating ff efforts to combat the Communist menace, in one menal field