POLITICAL FACTORS RELATED TO THE ILLNESS OF ITALIAN PRESIDENT ANTONIO SEGNI

Created: 8/14/1964

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

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INTELLIGENCE AGENCY iatOS

BPPROVlDIORfiillllSlAH III?

4

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MEMORANDUM FOR; SUBJECT:

Director of Central Intelligence

Political Factors Related to the Illness of Italian President Antonio Segni

We feel that, although thia report reflects accurately the views of the Source, it does, nevertheless,efinite bias against the center-left government coalition and its leaders. For this reaaon we feel that portions of this report lack objectivity.

I.

4. Should President Segnt become permanently incapacitated, or should he resign, there are several political leaders who could aspire to the presidential candidacy.

is certain that Saragat will run and runof Saragat would be most unfortunate due to thehe is thoroughly erratic and undependable.

Prime Minister Amintorecertainlyandidate. He will try very hard tonomination, but he will encounter strong oppositionparties and currents. In view of his unquestionedback-door maneuvering, his candidacy cannot be

its current weak political position,prestige and face-aavinghe ChristianParty (DC) must insist that Segni'e successor comeown ranks. Since it does not have any candidate ofto present, and since it may be unable to makecandidate stick, the best choice would probablyby Attilio Plccioni, former partyparty statesman, astraddle the Dorotei-Moroteibut definitely of second rate caliber.

the moat able potential candidateRossi of the Italian Social Democratic Partywouldine president. Unfortunately it willfor him to have the needed support, since he isPSDI and would have to buck Saragat, who is slavering It is possible, however, that althoughRoasi, he might be induced to support Rossi'sthe DC and the Italian Socialist Party (PSI) backed Rossi as

a compromise candidate.

Leone, former Prime Minister, iabut not likely candidate. He has been on theand lacks strong party support, although heC elder statesman.

[

Ong.: The Director of Central Intelligence

Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs

The Director of Intelligence and Research Department of State (copy for Secretary Rusk)

The Secretary of Defense,

The Honorable Robert S. McNamara

Deputy Director of Central Intelligence

Deputy Director for Intelligence

Original document.

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