Seymour Weiss would push back against any efforts to remove the Jupiters, but he and others realized that President Kennedy had a “keen interest” in the matter and that Secretary of Defense McNamara had ordered that action be taken (assigning his General Counsel John McNaughton to take the lead). Nevertheless Weiss and Assistant Secretary of State William Tyler presented Secretary of State Rusk with a memorandum making the case against action on the Jupiters or at least postponing their removal until a “later time.” Paralleling arguments made during the crisis by Ambassadors Hare and Reinhardt, Tyler pointed to the “symbolic and psychological importance” of the Jupiter deployments. While Tyler noted parenthetically that the Italians had “given indications of a disposition to work toward the eventual removal of the Jupiters,” the U.S. could not phase them out “without general Alliance agreement,” including Italy and Turkey’s consent, “unless we are prepared to lay ourselves open to the charge of abrogation of specific or implied agreements.” Rusk was in the know on the secret deal, but his reference to a “later time” was consistent with it and signing the memo would have placated Tyler and Weiss.

In preparation to receive Nitze and Perle in Rome, the memo discusses the European concerns vis-à-vis what is seen as American intentions to abandon the ABM treaty. The document focuses on the Italian perspective and lists questions to be posed during the visit.

Italian Ambassador to Moscow, Romano, shares his reflections on the change in Soviet SDI strategy. Romano's analysis underlines the politically fragile and potentially dangerous situation that could emerge as the result of nuclear disarmament in Europe.

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.

A detailed account of a meeting between Ambassador Petrignani and General Abrahamson, Director of SDI. Petrignani discloses the different elements of the SDI discussed, including the importance of SDI in modern deterrence, Soviet progress in strategic derfense, existing challenges with the SDI, and potential European participation.

A comprehensive analysis of the Soviet position in the upcoming disarmament negotiations regarding SDI, FNI, MBFR, and chemical weapons. Overall, there seems to be increased willingness on the Soviet side to free up economic resources from military sector.

This note by the Italian Foreign Ministry provides an overview of issues to be discussed with Secretary General Lord Carrington during his visit to Rome. Of particular interest are the upcoming Geneva negotiations between the USSR and the US regarding SDI .

This memo by the Italian Foreign Ministry describes the current state of U.S. space programs, and in particular, the SDI that is causing tension in US-USSR relations.

The telegram provides a summary of the presentation by General Abrahamson, the director of the Strategic Defense Initiative. General Abrahamson offers an overview of recent developments and appears optimistic about the future of the SDI.

A short (untitled) document that summarizes the topics addressed in the Italo-Soviet talks in Lisbon and re-caps the key positions adopted by the two parties.