865.24/6–1947: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy
1063. For the Ambassador. You will have seen numerous War Dept and OFLC tels since urtel 1634 June 19 re reequipment Ital Army.
In letter 1 July SecState has urged SecWar give every possible consideration provide minimum requirements reequipment program.1 Letter states “… I want to emphasize that the Dept of State considers it to be of great importance to the future peace and stability of Italy that the Ital Govt have at its disposal forces adequate to ensure internal order and to discourage aggression against Italy’s frontiers and, further, that this factor is considered as being important to the national interest of the United States ….”
Re WARX 81070 June 27, it is hoped through substitution or transfer from other areas sufficient equipment may be obtained supply Ital minimum requirements. War Dept urgently considering all possibilities. Dept appreciates urgent requirements other War Dept arms programs but will continue stress importance effective reequipment Ital forces.
- Not printed.↩