Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Western European Security, Volume V, Part 1

740.5/3–1053: Telegram

The Ambassador in Italy (Bunker) to the Department of State ¹

confidential

Rome, March 10, 1953—8 p.m.

3944. Foreign Office official informed us March 9 (Department telegram 3637 March 9)² of government’s tentative decision (Embassy telegrams 3846 March 4³ and 3873 March 6⁴) not to present EDC Treaty to Chamber before elections. Foreign Office official told us in confidence however that certain Foreign Office officials and CD deputies still question wisdom this decision and have been urging De Gasperi to reverse it. This group believes that Italy must live up to its commitments to US and others on ratification this month, even if this means another vote of confidence. Foreign Office official said that some parliamentary experts believe that vote could be pushed without confidence vote.

Zoppi today confirmed foregoing report on government tentative decision saying Communists had permitted approval in Parliamentary Commission (Embassy telegram 3882 March 6⁴) in order to utilize obstructionist tactics in debate in Chamber and make question of ratification a major election issue. Zoppi stated that government would “lose face” if ratification of Treaty not completed in Chamber prior to dissolution. He did not think government would be well advised to ask for another vote of confidence on this issue since this device had been employed in both Chambers in consideration of Electoral Bill. He has recommended to De Gasperi that treaty might be introduced in Senate now in order to expedite ratification process and that new Chamber consider it immediately after election. Zoppi was informed of substance Department telegram 3612.⁵ While he agreed that ratification by some of European countries would probably break stalemate, he nonetheless feared internal political consequences present government if Communists successfully block ratification.

Position therefore at moment is that government may not present EDC Treaty to Chamber before dissolution but De Gasperi has requested Lombardo recanvass political situation during former’s absence Strasbourg. De Gasperi scheduled return Wednesday and precise information on Government’s plans will be obtained from him as soon as possible.

Bunker

1. Repeated to Paris for Bruce, and to Bonn, London, Brussels, and The Hague.
2. Not printed. (740.00/3–653)
3. Not printed. (740.5/3–453)
4. Not printed. (740.5/3–653)
4. Not printed. (740.5/3–653)
5. Not printed; it reported a Dulles–Eden conversation on Mar. 5 in which it was agreed “that for present US and UK Govts would concentrate on persuading countries other than France to ratify Treaty first, with view to focusing sense of responsibility on France as a result, and with intention that US and UK at that stage could best exert cumulative influence to bring about French ratification” (740.5/3–653).