861.20265/12–646: Airgram
The Chargé in Italy (Key) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 30—11:23 a.m.]
A–1102. Press December 6 reports Italian Police Chief2 confirmed authenticity letter published previous day by Unità3 whereby he directed Police Commissioners throughout Italy to investigate report of secret Troika organization comprising Russians, Yugoslavs and [Page 949] Italians, and pledged to terrorism and sabotage against Allied troops and anti-Communist elements in Italy.
Full text of letter, which was marked secret and dated September 19, 1946, as follows:
“To the Commissioners of the Police:
“We have received trustworthy information that a secret organization is about to be formed in Italy under the name of ‘Troika’. This organization is to comprise Russians, Yugoslavs, and Italians; at the orders of the Russian Government and at an opportune time, this organization is to carry out acts of terrorism and sabotage against the Allied troops, the Italian and foreign elements in Italy who are anti-Communist and opposed to Tito.
“This organization is to be divided into units of three men each. All members are to take a blood-oath, binding them to perform successfully each entrusted mission, and obligating them to commit suicide in case of failure.
“At the present moment, there may be in existence the following units: 100 in Milan, 100 in Turin, 50 in Ancona, 50 in Bologna; another 50 are soon to be located in Naples.
“All units are to take orders from the Russian Colonel Lebedijeff, one of the chiefs of the O.Z.N.A.,4 who is supposed to be already established in Rome.
“Members of the ‘Troika’ are supposed to have landed recently between Bari and Manfredonia.
“When the time comes for action, which is considered by members of the organization to be in the near future, the various units are to be joined by 280,000 well-armed, extremist sympathizers.
“We ask that you make an immediate and meticulous investigation of those persons who are suspect of belonging to this organization, to watch over their movements, and to send us, as soon as possible, a detailed report.
“Chief of the Police
“(Signed) Ferrari”.
In publishing letter Unità demanded to know whether it had been written because of “bureaucratic idiocy or anti-Communist provocation”, and wondered how Prime Minister could “permit a high Italian functionary to mobilize the whole apparatus of the state against one of the Allied nations.”
Unità December 6, publishes reports of Ferrari’s “confession” that circular was despatched, and says he denied that he had received any warning from Allies, Prefects of Foggia, Taranto and Bari, although he declined to specify basis for circular. Unità editorial ridicules Ferrari and the circular at length.
Other papers report that police officials emphasized that police have obligation to follow up all reports on political organizations, whether [Page 950] of the Right or of the Left. Several papers shared this view and some asked how a secret government document could have found its way into columns of Unità.