US embassy cable - 05ROME1465

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001465 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR EB/CBA (MERMOUD) AND EUR/WE 
COMMERCE FOR 534 BIS 
COMMERCE ALSO FOR MAC/EUR, USFCS/ADVOCACY 
SECDEF FOR USDATL/IC, USDP, AND USDP/DSCA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2015 
TAGS: ETRD, BEXP, PREL, IT, FR, BUY AMERICA 
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR PRESIDENTIAL ADVOCACY ON GE PROPULSION 
OFFER FOR FRENCH-ITALIAN SHIP PROJECT 
 
REF: PARIS 2902 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Mel Sembler for Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1. (C) Action Request: Embassy Rome seconds Embassy Paris' 
recommendation (reftel) that it would be helpful to have 
President Bush send an advocacy letter to Italian Prime 
Minister Silvio Berlusconi, in addition to French President 
Jacques Chirac, in support of General Electric's bid to 
provide the propulsion system for the joint French-Italian 
Multi-Mission Frigates (FREMM). ODC contacts within the 
Italian Ministry of Defense have indicated that they believe 
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has advocated directly with 
Berlusconi on behalf of GE's competitor, Rolls Royce. We 
cannot independently verify such contacts, however. 
 
2. (SBU) We believe an advocacy letter should emphasize GE's 
partnership with the U.S.-Italian firm Avio to supply the 
engine turbines for the FREMM project, which would contribute 
positively to Italian employment. We are unaware of any 
benefits to Italian workers that would follow a decision to 
choose Rolls Royce to supply the propulsion systems. 
 
3. (C) Embassy Rome has been working with GE for several 
years to support their bid on the FREMM propulsion system. 
Italian navy contacts have told us recently, however, that 
the navy is concerned that the GE engines may not meet their 
technical specifications with regard to power (the Italian 
navy would prefer engines capable of reaching 28 knots or 
more). 
 
SEMBLER 
 
 
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 2005ROME01465 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL