ITALY - US: PROSPECTS FOR RELATIONS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06746645
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2018
• Case Number: F-2016-01115
• Publication Date: October 23, 1985

Approved for Release: 2018/08/28 C06746645
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National Intelligence Daily
Wednesday
23 October 1985
7-T-ep-Seeret--
CPAS NM 85-247JX
TCS 2047/85
23 Weber 1985.
Copy
535
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Abbreviations for compartmented codewords arel
hi-MORAY S - SPOKE U - UMBRA
R - RUFF Z - ZARF C- GAMMA
The National Intelligence Daily Is prepared in the
Central intelligence Agency In cooperation with the other
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Contents
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Special Analyses
Italy-US: Prospects for Relations
�717p-841168411-
TCS 2947/85
23 October 1985
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23 October 1985
Special Analysis
ITALY-US: Prospects for Relations
Italian-US relations appear to be on the mend, but the A�I1
Laura incident may have altered Rome's view of the US.
The public debate in Italy over the Achille Laura affair has centered so
far primarily on Middle East policy, but there are signs that the
hijacking is raising questions among Italian officials about the quality
of Italy's ties to NATO and the US. These relations have been the
keystone of postwar Italian foreign policy. The aftermath of the
hijacking appears to have demonstrated clearly to Italian leaders that
Italian interests may not always coincide with those of their allies.
Prime Minister Craxi, Foreign Minister Andreotti, and Defense
Minister Spadolini are all determined to maintain Italy's close
relations with NATO and the US, but Craxi and Andreotti will continue
to break with the US on some specific issues, including the Middle
East. Italy has economic interests in maintaining close ties to the Arab
world, and many Italian leaders believe PLO chief Arafat must play a
key role in the peace process there.
Craxi, although highly astute in domestic policies, is less skilled in
foreign policy. In fact, domestic reaction tends to be his primary
consideration on any given foreign policy matter. He almost certainly
hopes to use the meeting tomorrow of the leaders of industrialized
nations with President Reagan to reinforce his position with the voters
and to gain leverage in negotiations to form the new government.
Craxi orobablv
will also continue to seek occasions to demonstrate that
Italy can take positions independent from the US.
Craxi's altitude probably is reflected by officials in the Italian
bureaucracy and especially by the military, which was angered by US
assertiveness at Sigonella and by US surveillance of the Egyptian
airliner during its flight to Rome. Italy is almost certain to be more
wary of US requests and more determined to safeguard its
prerogatives. Over the short term, the Italians are likely to slow the
pace of official dealings with the US�by going by the book
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