Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, Ambassador of Italy Alberto Tarchiani, and Homer Byington

abset 396 5/5 DEPARTMENT OF STATE 4895 M.A. Memorandum of Conversation 21 DATE: January 15, 1951 SUBJECT: Italian Defense affort corf PARTICIPANTS: Ambassador Tarehiani The Secretary of State Hr. Homer M. Byington, Jr., VE COPIES TO: 3/s 3/13A RA WE - Mr. Peterson Ameriorn imbassy, Rone DOA - Nr. Paul u. s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 The Italian Imbassador maid that on his recent return to Italy he found the Italian Oovornment even more detersined to go ahead with its defense plans within the NATO than he had expected. He had had a four- hour conversation with Prima Minieter de Casperi vho aav the vhole issue vory clearly indeed. There vas no doubt in the Prine Minister's mind where Italy should atand and We aould count on Italy to do her utmost in the defense effort. The Ambassador aaid that he had also talked with dertain other members of the Christian Temocratic Farty whon he had regarded as not very strong. They had surprised him by the finmess of their views. He added that the Christian Demorratic Party had mede a aurvay of publie opinion throughout Italy and hnd found that the Italian people fully realised the need for ext.raordinary Italian defense neanures and that there was no question but that the Italian people were fully behind the He said that the Vatioan, while always for peace, also realized the nend for urgant defensa and vere squarely behind the Government and the NATO. He had received these viewa from two such opposite Catholie leaders as Don Sturso, who could be said to be somewhat Leftist in hie approach, and Nonsignor Montini, who certainly represented the Right Wing element of the Vatican. lle pointed out the grost succesa that Prime Minister de Casperi had in the recent Senate debate where he had obtained an overwholzing majority and clearly stated Italy's position as not being between conflicting forces but completely DECLASSIFIED TRENAN 3. E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or 5-5-26 Dept. of State letter, Fr. ARCHIVES RECORDS SERVICE" F INATIONAL AND PROJECT NLT NARS 7P.24 02-5-21-78 By NLT- NC continue SIGNE