US embassy cable - 04ROME1109

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 001109 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2014 
TAGS: PREL, IT, EUN, MEPP 
SUBJECT: EU GAERC AND COUNCIL - ITALY ON BOARD WITH US 
POSITIONS ON MEPP, IRAN/IAEA, BALKANS 
 
REF: STATE 57444 B) ROME 1100 
 
Classified By: POLMIN TOM COUNTRYMAN.  REASON:1.5 (B)(D) 
 
Guidance Request - See para 8 
 
1. (C)  SUMMARY. Italy is on board with US views presented 
ref A.  Our interlocutors predict that statements in draft 
for next week's General Affairs External Relations Council 
(GAERC) and European Council (Heads of State) meetings will 
reinforce the need for US-EU solidarity on Balkans and 
Mideast Issues.  Ref B reports Italy's response to reftel 
points on terrorism and terrorist financing.  Italy believes 
the feasibility studies leading to the EU Balkans 
Stabilization and Association process are more effective 
tools than CARDS to promote cooperation with the ICTY.  The 
GAERC concluding statement will include language condemning 
renewed violence in Kosovo and urging Pristina and Belgrade 
to restore order.  Italy and the EU strongly agree with 
reftel points calling on Iran to comply with IAEA 
commitments, including allowing immediate resumption of 
inspections of all nuclear facilities.  Italy and its EU 
partners are delighted and relieved to see the US so actively 
reengaged in MEPP.   END SUMMARY. 
 
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Balkans 
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2. (C)  MFA Balkans Office Director Fernando Gentilini told 
Poloff that Italy fully supported USG views (ref A) that the 
US and EU must speak with one voice regarding Belgrade's 
cooperation with the ICTY.  The EU would not, however, link 
continuation of the CARDS process to that cooperation. 
According to Gentilini, the feasibility studies leading to 
the EU Stabilization and Association process could be used 
far more effectively as a tool to promote cooperation with 
the ICTY as well as progress across a wide range of political 
and economic areas.  He predicted that funds distribution to 
Serbia related to CARDS would be approved at the GAERC. 
Should conditions  remain the same, Belgrade would not 
receive a positive signal from the next feasibility study. 
 
3. (C) Gentilini said that Italy would support a strong GAERC 
concluding statement that emphasized ICTY cooperation. 
Similarly, Serbian PM Kostunica's visit to Brussels 
immediately following the GAERC also afforded the EU an 
opportunity to express concern over the slow rate of progress 
on a number of issues, including Kosovo.  Note: At the time 
of this conversation Gentilini was unsure whether breaking 
events in Kosovo would cause Kostunica to cancel his Brussels 
trip.  Nonetheless, added Gentilini, the GAERC concluding 
statement would include language condemning the violence on 
both sides and urging the authorities in Pristina and 
Belgrade to act responsibly, rapidly, and cooperatively with 
KFOR and UMMIK to restore order.  End Note. 
 
4. (C) Gentilini said that the EU was progressing favorably 
in drafting implementing language to freeze assets of ICTY 
indictees (Karadzic, Mladic and Gotovina) and their 
supporters, but was not optimistic that the final document 
would be ready for approval at the March 22 GAERC. 
 
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Iran 
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5. (C) Mideast Gulf Office Director Luigi Maccotta told 
poloff that Italy and the EU strongly agree with reftel 
points calling on Iran to comply with IAEA commitments, 
including allowing immediate resumption of inspections of all 
nuclear facilities.  Maccotta had been reviewing draft 
language prepared by the EU PSC, and was hopeful that it 
could be in final form in time for approval by EU FMs at the 
GAERC.  He predicted that the US would be pleased with its 
substance and tone. 
 
6. (C) Maccotta added that while the international community 
must remain tough and vigilant regarding Iran's nuclear 
program, it must also continue to engage the Tehran regime. 
Iran plays an important role in regional stability, and thus 
far had not undermined efforts to rebuild Iraq.  Maccotta 
said that the ICs message of nuclear restraint must be 
unconditional, but should be accompanied by offers to Iran to 
participate in regional initiatives, such as the GME. 
Dialogue, high level political visits and trade arrangements 
were also helping to keep communications channels open. 
 
 
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MEPP 
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7. (C) MFA Eastern Mediterranean Deputy Office Director Luca 
Fratini said that as of the afternoon of March 18 he had seen 
no draft conclusions on MEPP or unilateral disengagement from 
Gaza, so was uncertain as to whether these issues would make 
it to the table next week in Brussels.  He said that Italy 
and its EU partners are delighted and relieved to see the US 
so actively reengaged in the region.  He cited Amb. Ott's 
March 10 Quad briefing as particularly helpful and 
encouraging. 
 
8. (C) Fratini also encouraged the US to continue to assure 
European allies that the GME is not a replacement for or 
dilution of the USG's involvement in the ongoing MEPP.  He 
admitted that there had been some concerns along those lines 
both in Brussels and Rome.  Italy believes that efforts to 
break the stalemate can only succeed if the EU and US speak 
with one voice.  Italy supports in principle Sharon's 
disengagement plan, and is looking forward to receiving more 
details on implementation.  He agreed that any such moves 
must fit within the roadmap framework.   Fratini wondered 
whether the USG was beginning to think about an international 
"monitoring mission" in Gaza once Israel withdraws.  Poloff 
promised to pass along Fratini's question to Washington. 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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2004ROME01109 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL