ABSTRACT
When the Silvio Berlusconi government came to power in the spring of 1994, there was reason to believe that there would be something new about Italy's foreign policy. The appointment of Antonio Martino as Minister of Foreign Affairs was particularly noteworthy in light of the emphasis on economics in foreign policy. The major foreign policy goals of the government were reasonable and within reach. At the global level, it avoided jeopardizing Italy's international standing by adopting a policy of "continuity." By declaring that it was not going to make any dramatic changes in broad policy guidelines, Italy provided welcome reassurance to allies and others who had grave concerns about the inclusion of the Alleanza Nazionale in the governing coalition. It remains to be seen how much the attempt of the fascist component of the Alleanza Nazionale to transform itself into a less-threatening political entity helped the government's efforts.
