ITALIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE LELIO LAGORIO'S VISIT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000500340001-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 15, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 17, 1983
• Content Type: MEMO

.--- --- -- I !' ' Ill I.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/15: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500340001-1 ~~
Memorandum for:
The attached paper, "Italian rlinister
of Defense Lelio Lagorio's Visit" was
prepared
for Secretary of
Defense Weinberger at his request. It was
designed as background for his meeting
with Lagorio.
EURA
Office of European Analysis
Secretary
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/15: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500340001-1
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/15: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500340001-1
1`/ January 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Secretary of Defense
SUBJECT :`.-Italian Minister of Defense Lelio Lagorio's
Visit
1. Italian Minister of Defense Lelio Lagorio's v
takes place against a background of widespread labor u
is
nr
it
es
here
t and
continuing tension within the fragile four-party -- Ch
ri
st
ian
25X1
Democratic
, Socialist, Soci
al Democ:?rat-ic, Libera?I ??-- g
ov
er
ning
25X1
2, The Italian economy is now beginning to feel the full
impact of the worldwide recession. New austerity measures have
led to numerous wildcat strikes and a nationwide strike will take
place today. The program has been a source of controversy within
the coalition, and Prime Minister Fanfani pushed the measures 25X1
through last week by only a single ballot, despite his
theoretical 105 vote margin. While most Christian Democratic and
Socialist leaders joined to back these measures, the rivalry
between these two parties brought down the last two governments
and could easily get out of hand again in the near future.
3. ?art of Lagorio's mission. ti,,e believe, is to emphasize
~~ is role as ~. ?~~~~rresentative of ~~?, c: Se,::ia i ist Par~i.y, particularly
': iCnt of .. ~~~ee~~s's vs it 'nee b? ri,ristian f_1:.~mocrat~c P~
secretary C~ir~aco De~-1ita. Socialist Party leasers believe that
strengthening their bid fior the premiership involves convincing
Italians that Washington finds the Socialists as acceptable as
the Christian Democrats. While the Socialists have been
especially supportive of US policies on East-~1est questions --
IPdF and the pipeline for example -- they have tended to march to
their own drummer on Third World questions.
4. Lagorio was appointed Minister of Defense in 1980 on the
strength of his close ties to party leader Craxi arrcl his
reputation for honesty and capable administration. A member of
the Socialist Party since 1955, he has served on its National
Council and Directorate and has headed its offices for
organization, problems of the state, and regional government
affairs. Craxi considers Lagorio one of his most trustworthy
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/15: CIA-RDP85T00287R000500340001-1