US embassy cable - 04ROME2692

UNCLAS  ROME 002692 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DAO, DCM, ECON, ODC, PM, POL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPKO, MARR, MOPS, PGOV, PREL, IT, NATO, U.S FORCES IN ITALY 
SUBJECT: ITALY SPEEDS PLANS FOR INTERNATIONAL GENDARME 
TRAINING CENTER 
 
REF: STATE 143267 
 
Summary 
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1.  The Italian government is moving quickly with plans for 
an international gendarme/constabulary training center and is looking 
for immediate US input on details such as project objectives, 
standards, and the numerical scope of the future training program. 
MFA and Carabinieri officials have confirmed that the 
existing Carabinieri training facility at Vicenza is ready to house 
the training center with minimal structural modification.  Italy 
also has on hand an ample number of experienced trainers, 
according to our contacts.  With USG input and approval, the Italians 
hope to have their program plan ready to circulate 
among G-8 members in September, with the aim of beginning 
training courses in 2005. 
 
The upcoming visit by a team led by PM (Reftel) will be a 
good opportunity for presenting concrete US ideas  -- and possibilities 
for financial support -- in regard to getting the training 
center up and running.  End Summary. 
 
MFA Pushing to Show Project Proposal in September 
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2.  The Italians are wasting no time in moving ahead on the 
proposed international gendarme/constabulary Center for Excellence 
at Vicenza.  In a July 8 meeting with MFA 
G-8 Office Director Giampaolo Cantini, Pol-Mil Officer 
learned that the Italian government has already tasked the Carabinieri 
with drafting a project plan on an urgent basis.  Noting that 
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's office has taken pointed 
interest in this project, Cantini stated that the Italians wish to 
complete the project proposal -- with US input and approval -- 
by early September.  They then hope to circulate the proposal 
among G-8 members for input and as an initial solicitation for 
financial support. Italy's goal is to begin training in late 2005. 
Cantini stressed that Italy would like more USG input on the 
aim and scope of the project, particularly in regard to target numbers 
of trainees and the modalities of US financial assistance. 
Italy would require financial assistance from US and other donors, 
Cantini said, for sustaining the basic operating costs of the training 
center. 
 
Carabinieri Have Facility and Personnel 
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3.  The Carabinieri official charged with preparing the 
project proposal, Colonel Domenico 
Libertini, told Embassy officers on July 9 that the existing 
Carabinieri training facility at 
Vicenza is capable of housing the Center for Excellence with 
only minor physical 
modifications.  The current facility is already used for 
pre-deployment training for Italian 
(and some foreign) units going into the SFOR Multinational 
Specialized Units (MSU) in 
Bosnia.  The Carabinieri have an ample number of experienced 
trainers on hand, though 
few of them speak English at the necessary level.   According 
to Libertini, the Vicenza facility 
could handle up to 250 trainees at a time, allowing for 
perhaps four six-week courses per year. 
The "train the trainer" proposal being developed will 
envision two programs to be delivered 
simultaneously: one for command-level officers and one for 
lower level officers and non-coms. 
 
Needed: Objectives, Standards, and Target Numbers 
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4.  Both Cantini and Libertini said that, while Italy can 
readily supply facilities, personnel, and 
a deep background in gendarme/constabulary expertise, the 
project itself still lacks definitive 
shape. The Italians are looking to the USG for concrete ideas 
concerning training objectives 
and training standards.  Most importantly, in light of the 
expressed USG willingness to provide 
funding assistance, the Italians would like USG guidelines 
about target numbers of trainees.  A 
target of 600 trainees over five years, for example, would 
 
 
present a completely different set of 
challenges than would a target number approaching the maximum 
training capacity of the 
proposed Center for Excellence, which would be approximately 
5,000 trainees over five years. 
 
Comment 
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5.  The MFA and Carabinieri have taken on this project with 
enthusiasm.  They are prepared to 
work with the US in planning and implementation and are 
looking for immediate concrete 
USG input on objectives, target numbers, and the coordination 
process among G-8 partners. 
The Italians are drawing on their own highly developed 
expertise for defining and implementing 
the training program itself but are seeking political 
guidance to ensure that they are on track 
with US/G-8 objectives.  The upcoming visit by State and 
Pentagon representatives offers 
an excellent opportunity for bilateral coordination on this 
initiative. 
 
SEMBLER 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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	2004ROME02692 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED