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Documents

March 22, 1961

Message by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Political Affairs and Security (DGAP), 'American attitude toward NATO -
German opinions'

Letter expressing Germany’s opinion that the defense of Europe is impossible without using nuclear weapons as an intimidation tactic and horror at the United States’ suggestion that Europe can defend itself with conventional weapons alone. Defense of Germany should be NATO’s top priority because if Germany falls, the rest of Europe falls. The letter also references NATO’s difficulty in developing a cohesive strategy because each country is too concerned with protecting its own territories and assets.

May 30, 1961

Memorandum by Chief of Defense Staff Aldo Rossi to Minister of Defense Andreotti, 'NATO new strategic approach'

Rossi describes the recent trend of the US Administration to want to turn away from the doctrine of Massive Retaliation, towards the acquisition of a new strategic concept that includes an increase in the "nuclear threshold." In order for Italy to continue to lead the defense of central and southeastern Europe against the Soviet Union as well as address its internal social and political crises, the United States must provide Italy with financial assistance.

October 19, 1990

Telegram by Permanent Representative to NATO Fulci to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'Transfer to Crotone of the 401st Formation of US Air Force'

Short telegram in which Fulci reports his conversation with his US counterpart about the recent decision on the Crotone airbase. Taft described the episode as a "parliamentary ambush" and reiterated the US administration's determination to do everything possible to safeguard the strategically important project.

October 24, 1985

Memorandum by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'Legal status of the Sigonella base'

This short memo discusses the legal framework around the use of Sigonella airbase during the Achille Lauro incident concluding that the landing had not been granted the required authorization by Italians.

December 12, 1989

Report, 'Purchase from Italy of the Surface-to-air Missile System PATRIOT of Raytheon Co. - US'

This document discusses the political and strategic reasoning behind Italy's decision to acquire the Patriot air defense system from the US.

January 1, 1985

Memorandum, 'Air defense - Patriot system'

The document provides an assessment of the political and economic implications of Italy's potential participation in the building of the Patriot system.

1985

Memorandum by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'UEO - Coordination of the reactions of member countries to the US invitation to take part in the SDI
(and attached:
Interim Report of the SDI Working Group)'

The document consists of a report from WEU working group on SDI (in French), and a summary of the WEU member states' positions, and their common efforts to coordinate a unified reaction to the American invitation to participate in SDI.

August 27, 1985

Memorandum by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Minister Andreotti, 'Meeting at the Ministry of Defense with General Abrahamson'

This memo from the meeting between Vice Minister of Defense Olcese and General Abrahamson discusses the developments of the SDI and the potential Italian participation in the technological aspects of the initiative. The memo concludes that Italian government has yet to make a decision regarding its participation in the research phase.

May 23, 1985

Letter by Permanent Representative to NATO Sergio Romano to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ruggiero

A brief report about a meeting between Minister of Defense Spadolini and Secretary of Defense Weinberger. The two discuss opportunities for cooperation and interchange in the fields of SDI and conventional armaments.

January 1, 1985

Letter by Ambassador in Moscow Sergio Romano to Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreotti

Italian Ambassador to Moscow, Sergio Romano, writes to Foreign Minister Andreotti to dicuss the topic of the Soviet attitude towards the SDI, and the unsuccessful efforts by the Soviets to pursue a similar defense system. Even though SDI is no longer a hindrance to superpower dialogue, it would be a mistake to assume that the USSR has given up the battle against the overall missile defense system.

Pagination