US embassy cable - 04ROME3190

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 003190 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2014 
TAGS: PREL, IZ, IT, IRAQI FREEDOM 
SUBJECT: BLAIR-BERLUSCONI VACATION-VISIT CONTINUES - NO 
TRUTH TO PRESS REPORTS THAT ITALY WILL ASSUME MEDIATING 
ROLE IN AL-NAJAF 
 
Classified By: POL M/C Tom Countryman for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
1. (C) Prime Ministers Berlusconi and Blair and their wives 
continue to enjoy their vacation at Berlusconi's home in 
Sardinia.  Italian press has reported extensively on their 
activities.  Despite speculation from throughout the Italian 
media that the PMs discussed a role for Italy as "mediator" 
between the US and insurgents at Al-Najaf, we have confirmed 
that the Government of Italy has no interest in acting in 
such a capacity.  One of Berlusconi's deputy-diplomatic 
advisors, who is in regular contact with senior staff with 
Berlusconi in Sardinia, emphasized that Italy does of course 
support a peaceful conclusion to the fighting and loss of 
life in Al-Najaf, but that this must come about by Al-Sadr 
and his supporters laying down their arms.  He pointed out 
that the fighting is an internal Iraqi issue and any request 
for mediation or "good offices" would have to be made by the 
Iraqi government. 
 
2. (C) We believe that the ever-inventive Italian press, 
looking to enliven an otherwise slow summer season for news, 
has seized upon a statement issued yesterday by a Vatican 
spokesperson indicating that "if asked, the Holy Father will 
willingly agree" to mediate in Al-Najaf.  Putting two and two 
together and making six, the press is most likely extending 
such a possibility to the two leaders vacationing in 
Sardinia.  Adding fuel to the media fire was the fact that 
the PMs had a telephone conversation with President Bush, 
notwithstanding the fact that neither the Prime Ministers' 
nor the White House's statements on the call mentioned 
anything about mediation. 
 
3. (U) The US. Embassy to the Holy See will report septel on 
the Vatican's position on this issue. 
 
BAGHDAD MINIMIZE CONSIDERED 
 
HARDT 
 
 
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	2004ROME03190 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL