US embassy cable - 02ROME2217

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002217 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2012 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, SU, IT, UN 
SUBJECT: SUDAN CEASEFIRE:  ITALY CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO 
NON-UN ENTITY 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 78414 
     B. ROME 1586 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: POLMINCOUNS TOM COUNTRYMAN FOR REASONS 1.5(B) AND (D) 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  02217  071445Z 
 
1.  (C) POLOFF MET WITH PAOLA IMPERIALE, MFA OFFICE DIRECTOR 
FOR EAST AFRICAN AFFAIRS, ON MAY 2 AT THE MFA.  IMPERIALE HAD 
REQUESTED THE MEETING BECAUSE SHE DID NOT WANT TO DISCUSS BY 
TELEPHONE THE GOI'S ISSUES WITH FUNDING THE INTERNATIONAL 
MONITORING UNIT FOR THE NUBA MOUNTAINS CEASE-FIRE. 
 
2.  (C) AT THE PRESENT TIME, IMPERIALE SAID, THE GOI IS 
UNABLE TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO THE IMU.  SHE HAD MADE 
EVERY EFFORT TO SECURE FUNDS, BUT THE AUDITING BOARD (GAO 
EQUIVALENT) HAD CALLED IT IMPOSSIBLE.  APPARENTLY, ITALIAN 
LAW DOES NOT ALLOW FUNDS FOR PEACEKEEPING TO BE DISBURSED 
EXCEPT TO AN ORGAN OF THE UNITED NATIONS. 
 
3.  (C) IMPERIALE HAD DISCUSSED THIS PROBLEM WITH GEN. 
WILHELMSEN AT THE IGAD PARTNERS' FORUM MEETINGS IN ROME APRIL 
11-12.  HE SAID THAT GERMANY FACED A SIMILAR CONSTRAINT. 
THEY DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF UNDP'S SETTING UP A FUND TO 
RECEIVE THE MONIES. 
 
4.  (C) WILHELMSEN HAD REQUESTED THAT THE GOI PROVIDE A 
POLICEMAN FOR THE MISSION.  IMPERIALE HAD PURSUED THIS AND IS 
WAITING FOR THE CHIEF OF POLICE'S RESPONSE.  THE FUNDING 
PROHIBITION DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONNEL. 
 
5.  (C) IMPERIALE WAS UNABLE TO QUANTIFY THE SUPPORT THAT THE 
GOI MIGHT PROVIDE IF A UN FUND WERE ESTABLISHED BUT INDICATED 
A WILLINGNESS TO PRODUCE AN ESTIMATE.  POLOFF WILL FOLLOW UP. 
SEMBLER 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  02217  071445Z 
 
                       CONFIDENTIAL 
 
> 
 2002ROME02217 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL