US embassy cable - 04ROME2248

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 002248 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR PM: A/S BLOOMFIELD; EUR/RPM AND EUR/WE: DEAN, 
GRAZE, HERNANDEZ 
DOD FOR DASD HOEHN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2014 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, IT, GLOBAL DEFENSE, U.S FORCES IN ITALY 
SUBJECT: STATUS OF US MILITARY PROJECTS UNDERWAY AT ITALIAN 
BASES 
 
REF: ROME 1230 
 
Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION EMIL SKODON FOR REASONS 1.5(B)(D 
) 
 
1. (C) Summary.  Whatever final decisions are made with 
regard to the US military's Global Posture Review (GPR), 
changes emanating from the GPR will build upon numerous 
milcon and other projects already underway within Italy. 
Careful coordination will be required to ensure that these 
current projects can move forward in order to address 
longstanding concerns regarding capabilities, Quality of Life 
and Force Protection for the approximately 17,000 US military 
personnel stationed at Italian rpt Italian bases.  In some 
cases, completion of current projects could be delayed until 
we conclude opngoing negotiations for the Technical 
Arrangements (TAs) called for under the 1995 bilateral MOU 
"Shell Agreement" and designed to clarify operating 
frameworks for US-Italian cooperation at each location where 
US forces are present (see reftel).  (Future GPR-related 
changes can be plugged into completed TAs once final GPR 
decisions are made.)  Regular consultations and effective 
coordination at the local and national level through the 
Joint Military Commission will continue to be a prerequisite 
for Italian approval of US proposals.  This cable summarizes 
Embassy information on milcon and other projects currently 
underway in Italy independent of the GPR process.  End 
Summary. 
 
SETAF/VICENZA 
------------- 
2. (SBU) The Italian military recently approved a 
long-pending USAREUR request to conduct site surveys, 
renovation assessments and design surveys on several former 
NATO and Italian Air Force buildings located at the Dal Molin 
civ/mil airfield near Vicenza.  USAREUR requested to use the 
space over two years ago to relieve severe overcrowding at 
Caserme Ederle in Vicenza following the addition of a second 
SETAF battalion in 2001.  The residual value question between 
Italy and NATO and related issues delayed approval of 
USAREUR's request until recently.  The buildings are 
sufficient to house the existing SETAF command of about 200 
personnel. While initial steps to renovate the buildings can 
proceed, the Italian Defense General Staff (IDGS) has made it 
clear that US Forces cannot operate from the new facilities 
until the USG and Italy complete a Technical Arrangement 
covering SETAF.  No formal Italian authorization has been 
sought or obtained for a larger SETAF footprint linked to 
adding a third battalion or other capabilities associated 
with the Global Posture Review, although informal soundings 
indicate they may be amendable. 
 
3. (SBU) While Dal Molin offers a convenient answer to 
SETAF's current cramped conditions, it may offer only limited 
possibilities for future SETAF expansion plans.  The 
airfield's future is a hot local political issue, caught 
between the Italian Air Force's (ITAF) plans to vacate and 
civil authorities efforts to keep the field functioning.  The 
ITAF, which operates the civ/mil air tower, has announced 
that it will stop manning the control tower as of 2006. Civil 
authorities cannot afford to take over tower operations and 
are applying considerable political pressure to force the 
ITAF to continue.  Both the ITAF and local authorities might 
view a USAREUR-funded and run civ/mil airfield as a welcome 
solution, however USAREUR indicated no interest in the 
airfield or tower in its September 2003 request to the IDGS 
regarding available space at Dal Molin. In any event, the 
ITAF would undoubtedly insist on close coordination with the 
US regarding the airfield's use.  It is also possible that 
Italy is considering new plans for Dal Molin, which is 
located near a major Carabinieri training facility, in 
connection with the training center envisioned under the G8 
Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative. 
 
 
LSVs:LA SPEZIA/LIVORNO 
---------------------- 
4. (C) USAREUR's 2003 request to permanently locate a 
Logistic Support Vessel (LSV) and a Theater Support Vessel 
(TSV) at an Italian port is still being worked by the Prime 
Minister's Military Advisor, General Tricarico, and the IDGS. 
 Tricarico recently told PolMil Counselor that he is pressing 
the Italian Navy to make room for the vessels at the civ/mil 
port of La Spezia, an option the Italian military initially 
rejected due to limited military port space.  The IDGS had 
recommended that USAREUR arrange to rent space at the 
commercial port of Livorno as an alternative, however, the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister's Office 
expressed security and logistical concerns about locating US 
military vessels in a commercial port.  If Livorno proves to 
be the only workable option, the MFA has indicated that it 
may be necessary to adjust the annex to the 1954 Bilateral 
Infrastructure Agreement that governs the US military's 
presence at Camp Darby to include the LSV/TSV operation. It 
is not clear whether a similar annex will need to be 
negotiated if the ships can be accommodated at La Spezia. 
 
CAMP DARBY 
---------- 
5. (U) Several construction and maintenance projects were 
approved about four years ago to renovate Camp Darby, a 
logistics and war reserve installation near Livorno. 
Projects include a barracks improvement program, upgrade of 
transient and recreation facilities and other infrastructure 
enhancements worth approximately $10 million.  The large 
ammunition storage area has recently undergone a $20 million 
face-lift, including improvements to roads and bridges and 
repair of storage bunkers.  A series of construction projects 
over the next 3-5 years for storage and maintenance 
facilities are being awarded to provide state-of-the-art 
repair, maintenance and storage facilities for reserve 
material. 
 
AVIANO 
------ 
6. (SBU) USAFE has worked constructively with local and 
national Italian authorities since 1997 on a significant 
Force Protection initiative at Aviano Air Base to close a 
public road that bisects the base.  After obtaining Italian 
approvals in 2001, USAFE obtained US authorization and 
appropriations in late 2002 to construct a bypass road for 
public traffic (including land expropriation costs) and 
related improvements inside the base.  The Italian AF base 
commander (and the USAF negotiator) was instrumental in 
getting an agreement signed in April 2004 between USAF and 
Italian military and local officials.  Construction on the 
off-base project is likely to start in April 2006, following 
land expropriation.  Limited construction inside the base may 
get underway this year, to be fully completed by late 2007. 
Embassy understands that the dis-establishment of the 16th 
Air Force, in connection with AirSouth's move to Turkey, is 
not expected to reduce USAFE's numbers significantly at 
Aviano. 
 
NAPLES/GAETA 
------------ 
7. (SBU)  The US Navy has largely completed work on an 
approximately $300 million milcon project to build an 
operational base at Capodichino Airport.  Also nearing 
completion is a build-to-lease support base at Gricignano 
d'Aversa, which will provide approximately 1,000 homes, 
schools, medical and recreational facilities.  This caps a 20 
year effort by the USN to relocate its Naples-based 
operations to safer, more functional buildings, including a 
medical/dental facility designed to serve as a major referral 
hospital for US Forces throughout Southern Europe.  Embassy 
understands that plans to relocate elements of NAVEUR from 
London to Naples are not expected to increase the USN's 
footprint in Naples, largely because other units will be 
 
 
moved back to CONUS.  It may, however, be necessary to 
reconfigure original projections for allocation of space at 
Capodichino. 
 
LA MADDALENA/SANTO STEFANO 
-------------------------- 
8. (SBU) The USN is pursuing two consolidation and 
improvement projects for the Naval Support Activity (NSA) at 
La Maddalena and the facilities used by the submarine tender 
on neighboring Santo Stefano island.  USN is ready to move 
forward with contract bids in late June with an ambitious 
project for Santo Stefano, which is designed to improve the 
existing submarine fleet support and maintenance facilities. 
Complicated local politics (Sardegna is an autonomous region 
of Italy) and an incident in 2003 when the USS Hartford 
touched bottom near the main harbor delayed final Italian 
approval of the project until earlier this year.  Renovation 
of housing and operational facilities is expected to begin in 
August and may be  completed within two years. 
 
9. (SBU) In addition to the Santo Stefano improvements, the 
USN is discussing a plan to consolidate the NSA facilities 
now scattered across the island of La Maddalena on one or two 
parcels owned by the Italian military.  This would eliminate 
rents paid for leased facilities and address many US Force 
Protection and anti-terrorism concerns.  Several options are 
under consideration but, again, island politics and the 
results of the June 12-13 local elections will play a key 
role in what the Italian military can offer and how quickly 
the USN can begin implementing the long-awaited consolidation 
plan. Embassy, including the Ambassador, stands ready to 
assist with obtaining necessary approvals once USN decides on 
its preferred option for consolidation. 
 
NAS SIGONELLA 
------------- 
10. (SBU)  Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella has taken on 
increasing significance as a joint and combined naval 
operations center in the heart of the Mediterranean.  The 
main operational area at the airfield (NAS II) is co-located 
with an Italian Air Force Reconnaissance Squadron.  A 
separate community support site (NAS I) is located north of 
the airfield.  Sigonella uses other facilities, including a 
communication site, fueling and supply point and target 
range, located elsewhere on the island of Sicily.  NAS 
Sigonella is in the process of a recapitalization program to 
replace the entire pre-existing infrastructure used by US 
Forces, including a new Navy Exchange and Commissary, 
improvements to the hospital and school and two 
build-to-lease housing initiatives.  A barracks improvement 
program is underway at NAS I and NAS II and an existing 
housing complex is scheduled to be upgraded. 
 
TECHNICAL ARRANGEMENTS 
---------------------- 
11. (C) The projects outlined above have been negotiated and 
implemented in accordance with the 1954 Bilateral 
Infrastructure Agreement (BIA) which, along with the NATO 
SOFA for NATO-related activities, defines the US presence at 
all Italian military installations.  The US and Italy 
essentially updated the BIA with the 1995 bilateral MOU 
(known as the "Shell Agreement") which established the Joint 
Military Commission (JMC) as the primary channel for 
bilateral discussions on operations issues.  The Shell 
Agreement also requires that Technical Arrangements (TAs) 
setting out the framework for coordinating US and Italian 
operations and the outline of US military activities be 
concluded for each base hosting US military personnel. 
Adjustments to US operations at any particular base can be 
reflected by amendments to the appropriate TA, without having 
to overhaul the BIA or Shell Agreement.  The JMC has been an 
effective vehicle for coordination, information exchange and 
resolution of pending issues, however, the TA negotiations 
have been hampered by delays.  With the recent resolution of 
 
 
a US inter-service dispute, negotiators are making good 
progress on the first TA (for NAS Sigonella) which will serve 
as a general model for the other installations.  The Italians 
are very receptive to our renewed efforts to conclude the 
Sigonella and other TAs, and have made it clear that further 
delays may impact Italian approvals on US military requests. 
While we expect negotiations related to final GPR decisions 
will proceed relatively smoothly if we can work from a 
concluded "model" TA, the Italians may be reluctant to 
discuss those changes without at least the Sigonella TA in 
hand. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
12. (C) The US military has vigorously pursued these 
improvement projects to address long-standing Force 
Protection and Quality of Life deficiencies.  The Italian 
government has been fully involved and supportive, and has 
often been an effective liaison with local and regional 
officials.  In order to avoid impeding progress on 
much-needed improvements for US Forces stationed in Italy, 
Post will continue to coordinate closely to ensure that the 
Italian government treats these on-going projects as distinct 
from possible GPR-related changes. 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2004ROME02248 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL