840.20/3–1649: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy 1
us urgent
niact
482. Depcirtel Mar 16, 1 a. m.2 Convey to FonMin the fol:
“I have the honor, on behalf of the Governments of Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States to transmit to Your Excellency the [Page 234] text of the North Atlantic Treaty proposed for signature in Washington during the first week in April 1949 probably on April 4. The above-mentioned Governments invite the Government of [Italy] to join with them in signing this Treaty at that time.”
You should further inform him orally that several of the FonMins of participating govts plan proceed Washington for signature Treaty and US Govt would be gratified if he could be present. Further details on conf for signature will be sent you soon as agreed.
Fact that invitations have been extended to Ital, Dan, Port, and Ice Govts but not texts of invitations, will be released press 12 noon GMT Mar 17.
- This invitation to sign the NATO Treaty was sent also to the Embassies in Denmark and Portugal as telegrams 105 and 72 respectively, neither printed (840.20/3–1649). An identical invitation was delivered to the Iceland Minister of Foreign Affairs on March 17 during his visit in Washington (840.20/3–1749).↩
- Not printed.↩