US embassy cable - 04ROME1506

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 001506 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, IT, EUN, MEPP, IRAQI FREEDOM 
SUBJECT: EU GYMNICH - ITALY WILL PUSH FOR UN IRAQ 
RESOLUTION "SOON"; WOULD LIKE TO SEE ENHANCED QUARTET ROLE 
IN MEPP; ACCELERATED "DEVOLUTION" IN KOSOVO 
 
REF: A) STATE 81802 B) STATE 83881 C) ROME 1491 
 
Classified By: A/POL MINISTER-COUNSELOR GARY ROBBINS. REASON: 1.5 (B)( 
D) 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. (C) Iraq will be at the top of the agenda at the EU 
Informal Foreign Ministers' meeting (Gymnich) in Tullamore, 
Ireland. Italy's view is that the IC will have to make a long 
term military commitment to provide a secure environment in 
Iraq, and will push "soon" for a new UN resolution to provide 
further legitimacy to the international presence. FMs will 
discuss EU/Quartet re-engagement in the MEPP.  The MFA is 
sponsoring a 15/16 April Conference on Cooperation between 
the Ministry and Italian regional authorities for initiatives 
in Palestine.  FMs will be exploring ways to "enrich" the 
stabilization process in Kosovo while staying within the 
standards before status framework.  Italy will propose an 
acceleration of the "devolution" of certain powers from UNMIK 
to local authorities. The EU may be looking to deploy a 
larger, more proactive civilian presence on the ground in 
Pristina. Italy will push for a press statement outlining the 
ramifications of a "no" vote in the April 24 Cyprus 
referendum. 
 
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IRAQ 
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2. (C) On April 15 Ambassador Sembler conveyed to FM Frattini 
the USG's condolences for the murder in Iraq of Italian 
hostage Fabrizio Quattrocchi.  The Ambassador also drew on 
points in ref b to assure Frattini that the US did not intend 
to allow terrorists to undo the good work of coalition 
countries in Iraq, and encouraged Italy to stay the course. 
Poloff also reviewed points with MFA Deputy Director for EU 
Integration Luigi Mattiolo, who was preparing Gymnich 
briefing materials for FM Frattini.  He said that Iraq would 
obviously be at the top of the agenda in Tullamore, and the 
flexible nature of the informal ministerials' agendas meant 
that it could dominate the entire weekend. Italy's view is 
that establishment of a credible political leadership leading 
to economic development was key, and for that to happen, the 
IC would have to make a long term military commitment to 
provide a secure environment.  Accordingly, Italy would push 
"soon" for a new UN resolution to provide further legitimacy 
to the international presence (ref c).  According to 
Mattiolo, such a resolution would make it easier for nations 
to contribute personnel.  The main point FM Frattini will 
stress at the Gymnich is that the situation must not be 
allowed to deteriorate between now and the handover on June 
30.  He will encourage his European partners to do whatever 
necessary in that regard. 
 
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MIDDLE EAST 
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3. (C) MFA Eastern Mediterranean Deputy Office Director Luca 
Fratini told poloff that Mideast points ref a were in line 
with Italy's thinking on the way ahead for promoting security 
and political and economic stability in the Middle East.  He 
said that President Bush's meetings with Egyptian President 
Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Sharon this week, and 
Jordan's King Abdullah on April 21 were evidence of the USG's 
strong concern and continued engagement in the region, and 
was welcomed by both Italy and the EU.  That said, Fratini 
predicted that one of the main topics of conversation among 
FMs would be EU/Quartet re-engagement in the peace process. 
 
4. (SBU) Fratini said Italy has a special role to play in the 
long term stabilization of the region, given its strong 
relationship with both Israel and the Palestinians.  As an 
example of Italy's commitment, he cited the MFA's sponsorship 
of the 15/16 April Conference on Cooperation between the 
Ministry and Italian regional authorities for initiatives in 
Palestine.  The Palestinian National Authority, the World 
Bank and European Union Commission will also participate. 
Italy itself will pledge 25 million Euro for development 
funds for Palestine, which Fratini hopes will act as seed 
money for local and international investment; a "starting 
point for the Mideast Marshall Plan" that PM Berlusconi has 
long promoted. 
 
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Kosovo 
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5. (C) Acting Balkans Office Director Andrea Orizio said that 
Italy and the EU were pleased to see the strong, rapid, 
high-level USG reaction to the events in Kosovo last month. 
FMs would recognize this engagement during the April 16 lunch 
discussion on Kosovo, and will be looking for ways to 
"enrich" the stabilization process while staying within the 
standards before status framework.  Italy will propose an 
acceleration of the "devolution" of certain powers from UNMIK 
to local authorities.  Orizio said he did not have specific 
powers in mind, the proposal would simply be a point of 
departure for FMs' conversations.  With the 2005 decision 
date on Kosovo status approaching, the IC must begin to think 
creatively about ways to move the process.  Orizio said that 
while KFOR's response to the violence was excellent, UNMIK 
seemed to be caught off guard.  It may be time to think about 
reviewing UNMIK's capabilities as we begin the selection 
process for SRSG Holkeri's successor 
 
6.  (C) Mattiolo noted our recognition of Solana's 
appointment of Italian diplomat Fernando Gentilini as his 
personal representative in Kosovo, and hinted that this may 
be the start of a larger, more proactive EU presence on the 
ground in Pristina.  He also said that Serbian Deputy Prime 
Minister Labus, in town April 15 to meet with FM Frattini, 
would receive a strong message from Italy on Belgrade's role 
and responsibility in securing the peace in Kosovo.  Frattini 
will report the substance of his conversations with Labus to 
his counterparts at the Gymnich. 
 
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Cyprus 
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7. (C)  Mattiolo said that it was unlikely the FMs would have 
time to talk at length about Cyprus.  That said, he 
recognized that it would be a mistake for the ministers to 
miss this opportunity to send a message to the Greek Cypriots 
so close to the April 24 referendum.  Accordingly, Italy will 
push for a press statement (since the Gymnich  has no formal 
declaration) outlining the EU's view that a "no" vote from 
either side of the green line would have severe negative 
ramifications for all Cyprus residents, and represent a 
serious setback to Cyprus' economic and political integration 
with Europe. 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SKODON 
 
 
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 2004ROME01506 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL