US embassy cable - 04ROME3138

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003138 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2014 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, KPAO, IT, NATO, GLOBAL DEFENSE 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON US GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE REVIEW: 
ITALIAN RESPONSE 
 
REF: A. STATE 174698 
 
     B. ROME 2631 
 
Classified By: A/DCM Tom Countryman for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) A/DCM and Poloff delivered reftel demarche to the 
Italian MFA and Prime Minister's office on August 13.  The 
MFA, which was already aware of the main elements of GDPR, 
urged that the President's and other USG public statements 
stress that decisions will be made  in close consultation 
with allies and fully consistent with existing treaty 
obligations.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) A/DCM and Poloff delivered Ref A demarche to MFA 
Acting DG for Multilateral Political Affairs Claudio 
Bisogniero and Acting NATO Office Director Carlo Lo Cascio. 
Bisogniero, whowill forward the message to FM Frattini's 
office said he appreciated the U.S.' informing Italy 
beorehand of President Bush's speech, noting that 
eposturing is a "delicate issue."  He said that Itly looks 
forward to the resumption of bilateral alks this fall.  He 
further stated that Italy unerstands that the US. remains 
committed to workig within the framework of existing 
treaties and s not retreating into a fortress 
America.  To enure that GDPR goes over well with Italian 
publicopinion, however, the United States needs to make t 
clear that any changes will occur in close consltation 
with NATO and other allies and fully conistent with NATO and 
other treaty obligations. 
 
3. (C) Noting that DG for Multilateral Political Affairs 
Giampiero Massolo had discussed the issue with Italian Chief 
of Defense (CHOD) Admiral Giampaolo di Paola the 
previous day, Bisogniero commented that one issue that the 
MFA has been discussing with the MOD -- and that A/S 
Bloomfield raised during his June visit to Rome (Ref B) -- 
was whether the speech on restructuring would focus on 
freedom of maneuver.  A/DCM replied that his understanding 
was that the President would describe a  shift from a heavy 
ground presence to more flexible forces, but would probably 
not address freedom of deployment in his speech. 
 
4. (C) Our MFA interlocutors made note of the fact that some 
countries might be mentioned by name in the President's 
speech and sought confirmation that Italy -- at least in 
terms of specific plans -- would not be mentioned. 
Bisogniero also asked specifically about 
Germany and North Korea.  A/DCM replied that while the speech 
would be general in nature and not get into the details of 
specific countries, Germany might be mentioned due to the 
significant reduction in troops there.  A/DCM emphasized that 
this reduction was not politically motivated.  South Korea 
might also be mentioned, but A/DCM stressed that any movement 
there does not signal a reduction in the U.S. commitment to 
defend South Korea. 
 
5. (C) PolOff also delivered the talking points to PM 
Diplomatic Advisor Bruno Archi. Archi, who had already been 
in touch with Bisogniero on the issue, said the PM's office 
would consult with the MFA and convey our message to PM 
Berlusconi.  (Note. The PM is currently vacationing at his 
summer residence in Sardinia, where he will be joined by 
British PM Tony Blair August 16-17.  End note.) 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2004ROME03138 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL