611.6531/259
Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Culbertson)
Mr. Sayre asked the Italian Ambassador to come in this afternoon in order to tell him that we had gone over the memorandum which he had left with Mr. Sayre on May 14,24 and that we felt that there was every reason to feel that we should go ahead with our negotiations, and that a satisfactory agreement could be reached. Mr. Sayre pointed out that of course we understood the difficulties confronting the Italian Government, but that we did not feel that these difficulties should preclude the possibilities of an agreement satisfactory to both sides; that both Governments should approach the problem from a practical standpoint; that of course we could not enter into any agreement which involved giving away everything and getting nothing; that we would expect the Italian Government to give substantial concessions to American trade, and we in turn would be prepared to give substantial concessions to Italian imports entering the United States; that it was his feeling that both Governments are interested in the lowering of tariff barriers and doing what they can to advance world trade. Mr. Rosso agreed with these points of view.
The Ambassador then asked what we had in mind in so far as the dates for exchanging desiderata, etc., are concerned. Mr. Sayre said that he had found from practical experience that Italian authorities were not generally much interested in negotiating agreements of this sort during the summer. The Ambassador seemed to feel that his [Page 534] Government would probably be inclined to initiate discussions in the fall. Mr. Sayre, however, pointed out that we would be ready to exchange desiderata the middle of July, if the Italian Government would be ready. Mr. Rosso said that he would take this matter up with his Government and let us know.
Mr. Sayre asked whether we had not already given the Ambassador copies of the general provisions. The Ambassador replied that we had given him copies and that they had been sent to his Government at Rome.
- Supra.↩