274. Memorandum for Director of Central Intelligence Dulles0
SUBJECT
- The Italian Political Crisis
Summary. The disintegration of the center as the stabilizing influence in Italian politics has left Italy in the grip of a fundamental political crisis which has been only temporarily eased by parliament’s reluctant acceptance of the Tambroni “caretaker” government. [2 lines of source text not declassified] We believe it unlikely that the center coalition can be reconstituted and revitalized. The creation of a center-left government with tacit Socialist support would provide some opportunities for achieving a new political equilibrium excluding the extremists of right and left from power. However, it would risk splitting the CD, and arousing bitter opposition from the right and right center. It might also open the way for a further leftward trend in Italian politics. [4–1/2 lines of source text not declassified]
[Here follows the remainder of the memorandum.]
- Source: Eisenhower Library, Project Clean Up, Italy. Secret. Drafted in the Office of National Estimates, CIA, and signed by Abbot Smith, Acting Chairman, Board of National Estimates.↩