May 22, 1959
NEW YORK 20 – The New York Times, citing unconfirmed reports from Rome, claims that a Mediterranean pact is being drafted within the framework of the state visit by the king of Greece to Italy. According to the newspaper, the proposed new accord, which is being promoted by Italy, Greece and Turkey, would link Cyprus and probably Spain with NATO. It said that supporters of the plan hoped that it will include Tunisia and Morocco, and might even attract the interest of the United Arab Republic. However, it is not clear what role France and Israel would play in the suggested alliance. In recent years, said the newspaper, there had been much discussion of a Mediterranean alliance, but nothing specific had ever emerged in that direction. ROME 21 – In a joint communique issued this evening to mark the conclusion of the official state visit by King Pavlos of Greece and Foreign Minister Evangelos Averof to Italy, emphasis was placed on bilateral cooperation in all sectors, particularly political, economic and cultural. However, speaking to the press, Averof said that the proposed Mediterranean pact was not feasible.
