Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIII, Western Europe and Canada

63. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Italy⁰

Washington, January 30, 1963, 8:41 p.m.

1440. Ref: Rome 1509.¹ From Under Secretary for Ambassador Reinhardt. I would appreciate it if you would seek appointment with Fanfani prior Macmillan visit and convey to him our warmest appreciation of steadfast Italian position in Brussels yesterday and the show of solidarity on the question of UK entry and implicitly Atlantic Partnership, FYI. We shall be communicating similar views to Adenauer for the steadfast German position. We are hopeful that solidarity between UK and Germans will develop into closer and more fruitful relationship and we wish to encourage similar Italian-UK understanding. The Multilateral Force represents a specific and important way for UK to seek closer ties with Germans and Italians among alliance members seeking interdependence. End FYI.

I would like you to emphasize to Fanfani the line that France’s veto of British entry is the first time since the establishment of the Communities that one nation has taken it upon itself to slow down the drive toward true European unity. This is to be regretted, particularly since this defection is based upon a reversion to the divisive and dangerous furtherance of nationalist ambitions by techniques that history teaches us have failed.

For our part, we shall be moving ahead as rapidly as possible with negotiations for a NATO Multilateral Nuclear Force and we are gratified by the wholehearted Italian willingness to participate in this project. Might be useful for you to mention to Fanfani favorable evolution of recent UK thinking on Multilateral Force. UK apparently sees as we do how it can contribute materially to cohesion in NATO of EEC members. UK itself now considering participation in MLF. Would be helpful if Fanfani could indicate Italian readiness to work together with interested NATO members to strengthen Atlantic partnership at this critical moment, through MLF exercise and in other ways. We believe this would strike responsive chord.

We shall also be moving ahead as rapidly as possible with negotiations under the Trade Expansion Act and Governor Herter’s initial contacts with the Commission will soon be followed up by more concrete action. Progress along this line will tend to minimize the damage that the French veto will cause for all of us.

In the meantime, we would welcome any indications of Italian Government view on what positive steps can be taken to maintain the momentum for European unity and Atlantic Partnership in the face of French recalcitrance.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.4165/1–2963. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Vine and Popper; cleared by Schaetzel, Spiers, and Meloy; and approved by Ball. Repeated to Bonn, Brussels, and London.
1. telegram 1509, January 29, asked if the Department of State had any issues it wanted to raise with Fanfani prior to Macmillan’s visit to Italy February 2–4. (Ibid.)