309. Editorial Note
In an October 17 speech before the Socialist Party’s Central Committee, Nenni indicated the PSI’s readiness to enter into a governing coalition. In an October 18 analysis of the Nenni speech, the Embassy in Rome commented:
“Nenni’s speech, intended chiefly to outline PSI political platform for next elections, contained many positive aspects, particularly what is generally interpreted as a firm commitment not to form regional governments with Communists in areas where PSI and PCI would together have majority. DC spokesmen, including Party Secretary Moro, have been pressing PSI strongly on this issue in past weeks and failure of Nenni to make commitment of this kind (assuming it is confirmed by Central Committee) might have caused serious trouble for government. However, refusal to call for isolation of PCI and failure to state position on labor leaves still unclarified PSI ambiguities in two vital areas.” (Department of State, Central Files, 765.00/10–1862)
In a memorandum for Bundy, October 19, Schlesinger commented:
“During this period, practically all the evidence, I believe, has supported our view that the Nenni Socialists have split irrevocably from the Communists and are determined to bring the PSI into the democratic orbit.”
He continued:
“I still consider it to our interest [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] to manifest a sympathetic interest in their problems and future:
- “1) the hardest and most costly stage yet of the PSI disengagement effort—that is, disengagement at the local level—is now upon us. (This will be followed in due course by disengagement in the labor movement—which will be even harder and costlier.) It is essential that Nenni win this fight—and it must be remembered that the Autonomists, handicapped in the next months by Nenni’s uncertain health, will consequently need help more than ever.
- “2) the success of the Italian experiment has a larger significance. If a CD–Socialist coalition can work in Italy, it may very likely provide an important model for France after De Gaulle, Germany after Adenauer and Spain after Franco. If the Italian experiment fails, the most hopeful formula for political stability in Western Europe will be discredited—perhaps beyond repair.” (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Italy)