US embassy cable - 04ROME3480

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 003480 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2014 
TAGS: PREL, IT, EUN 
SUBJECT: ITALIAN RESPONSE TO 9/13 GAERC DEMARCHE 
 
REF: A. STATE 193154 
     B. ROME 3399 
     C. ROME 3381 
     D. ROME 3285 
 
Classified By: A/PolMinCouns Jonathan Cohen.  Reasons 1.4 B and D. 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. A/DCM and A/PolMinCouns discussed Ref A 
points with MFA Deputy Political Director Claudio Bisogniero 
on September 10, as did PolOff with MFA Director for EU CFSP 
Luigi Mattiolo on September 9.  We have also raised Ref A 
with various other Italian government interlocutors (Refs 
B-D), including, most recently, MFA Under Secretary for the 
Middle East and Africa Aflredo Mantica (septel). END SUMMARY. 
 
Balkans 
-------- 
 
2.  (SBU)  MFA Director for EU CFSP Luigi Mattiolo told 
PolOff that while Balkans issues were not on the 9/13 formal 
agenda, ministers were likely to include a short mention of 
in-depth Balkans discussions at the Gymnich in Maastrict. 
The EU will send an "exploratory mission" to Belgrade, 
Podgorica and Pristina within the next two weeks, in 
anticipation of a Patten/Solana visit by the end of 
September.  The goal of the visits is to clarify with local 
officials the way forward on Kosovo Implementation of 
Standards and general SaM progress towards EU accession. 
Mattiolo was unaware of any planned discussion on Kosovo, but 
appreciated receiving our views, noting there was "no light" 
between US and Italian positions. 
 
IRAQ 
----- 
 
3.  (SBU)  Mattiolo told PolOff Ref A's Iraq points were 
"music to my ears" because Italy has been pushing the EU to 
provide funds for UNPROFOR.  Mattiolo was disappointed with 
Patten's "tone" at the Gymnich, which was "negative regarding 
mobilization of the EU budget" for Iraq requirements. 
Mattiolo was hopeful that by the time of the EU Ministers 
meeting with Secretary Powell and Troika meeting with SYG 
Annan on the margins of UNGA, like minded ministers will have 
convinced the Commission of the need for a "more open 
approach" to funding.  MFA Deputy Political Director 
Bisongniero told A/DCM that Italy would work with the UK over 
the next few days to get the EU Commission to reconsider 
making a significant EU contribution to the UN force for 
Iraq.  Bisogniero noted that, in addition, Italy would 
contribute whatever was within its capacity.  He found Ref A 
suggestion of EU election experts particularly interesting 
and said Italy would try to be of assistance in securing EU 
election expert involvement. 
 
IRAN 
---- 
 
4.  (C)  Bisogniero stressed that Italy has maintained a very 
tough line with Iran on nuclear issues and would continue to 
do so.  He said Italy was pleased that the trend was toward 
Iranian engagement with the EU as a whole rather than 
remaining limited to the UK, France and Germany, and pointed 
to recent Iranian discussions with the Dutch.  The Dutch, he 
said, were also tough and straight-forward with the Iranians. 
 Bisongniero added that Italy believed the international 
community must retain the threat of referring the issue to 
the UNSC for the time being, because actually sending the 
matter to New York can only be done once, after which 
leverage on Iran would be lost.  Mattiolo predicted the 
outcome would not be as forward leaning as the USG proposed 
in reftel.  The EU would like to have more time to pressure 
Iran and consolidate positions before going to the UNSC.  The 
November IAEA BOG report will be the next benchmark at which 
the EU will decide on possible action against Tehran. 
 
SUDAN 
----- 
 
5. (SBU)  Ministers will urge continued preparatory work by 
the Commission in anticipation of a final scope/decision on 
the AU force from Addis Ababa and New York. MFA East Africa 
Office Director, Stafano Dejak stated that Italy and the EU 
were in agreement with the UNSC draft resolution which he 
said was essentially "interchangeable" with the conclusions 
arrived at the COAFR Troika working group meeting.  He 
stressed the need to make things happen on the ground by 
supporting the AU both in its efforts to bring about a 
political solution through the Abuja talks and in its efforts 
 
to carry out a feasible plan on the ground. 
 
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED 
 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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	2004ROME03480 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL