Memorandum from Secretary of State George Marshall to President Harry S. Truman, with Attachment

TOP SECRET DEPARTMENT OF STATE the WASHINGTON MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT Subject: Provision of U. S. Equipment to the Italian Armed Forces Since transmittal to you of the National Security Council's memorandum of February 12, concerning the transfer of United States military equipment and sup- plies to Italy, which you approved on February 13, 1948, it has been determined that procedural difficulties under present law preclude the reimbursement from the Treasury to the individual forces concerned of the funds to be paid to this Government by the Italian Government as required by the recommendation to you by the National Security Council. In view of the vital importance to the security interests of the United States and United States forces in Europe to the immediate transfer of this equipment to the Italian Government, the Department of the Army has commenced implementation of the shipment of some of the equipment to Italy even though the specified finan- cial arrangements have not been effected. In order to validate the action already taken and to authorize completion of the transfer of equipment and supplies to the Italian Government without further delay it is recommended that you sign the enclosed letter to the Secretary of National Defense. The Department of State will continue its current negotiations with the Italian Government to arrange for the earliest practicable reimbursement and deposit of funds received with the Treasury of the United States. ARCHIVES RECORDS the SERVICE" enclosure: Draft letter to the DECLASSIFIED Secretary of Defense E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) Dept. of State letter, Aug.9,1973 7.15.25 TOP SECRET By NLT- HI NARS Date 12.1.75