U.S. AID TO ITALY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25085, 17 January 1947, Page 7

U.S. AID TO ITALY

PAYMENT FOR FOOD TO BE WAIVED INCREASE IN WHEAT SHIPMENTS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 15. An announcement by the United States State Department issued on the departure of the Italian Prime Minister. Mr de Gasperi, for Rome, reveals that in addition to the credit of 100.000,000 dollars being granted to Italy, the United States has agreed to waive repayment for all food and relief supplies furnished to Italy before UNRRA began to operate in that country. The value of this aid is not revealed but it is known that America provided a large share of the 500,000,000 dollars worth of supplies sent to Italy before UNRRA functioned there. It is also revealed that America agreed to increase wheat shipments to Italy, try to increase shipments of coal to Italy, to consider favourably Italy’s request to buy an additional 50 surplus American ships and to make a second payment of 50,000,000 dollars for services, supplies and facilities to the American occupation forces. The State Department said Mr de Gasperi had given a full account of the very real progress made by Italy in the rehabilitation and restoration of democratic government.