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| Identifier: | 02ROME4122 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 02ROME4122 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Rome |
| Created: | 2002-08-22 17:11:00 |
| Classification: | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY |
| Tags: | MARR U |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ROME 004122
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR, U.S FORCES IN ITALY
SUBJECT: ITALY STATIONING AND SOVEREIGNTY WORKING GROUP
MEETING MINUTES
1. (U) THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE ITALY STATIONING AND
SOVEREIGNTY WORKING GROUP (ISSWOG) WAS HELD IN ROME ON MAY 7.
SENIOR US MILITARY OFFICIALS MET WITH EMBASSY ROME
REPRESENTATIVES TO DISCUSS ISSUES EFFECTING US PERSONNEL
STATIONED AT MILITARY FACILITIES IN ITALY. PARTICIPANTS AND
AGENDA ITEMS ARE LISTED AT PARAGRAPH 32.
ITALIAN POLITICAL OVERVIEW
--------------------------
2. (U) THE DCM OPENED THE MEETING WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE
ITALIAN POLITICAL SCENE. HE EMPHASIZED THE PRO-U.S.
TENDENCIES OF THE BERLUSCONI GOVERNMENT BUT CAUTIONED THAT
ITALY,S COALITION POLITICS AND ITS PRO-EUROPE POLICIES MEAN
WE MUST HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. THE U.S. WILL NOT
ALWAYS BE ABLE TO GET WHAT WE ASK FOR. RESPECTING ITALY,S
SOVEREIGNTY REMAINS A CRUCIAL CONSIDERATION WHEN MAKING
REQUESTS OR DECISIONS.
3. (U) OTHER PARTICIPANTS ADDED THAT ISSWOG PROVIDES A USEFUL
OPPORTUNITY FOR GERMANY-BASED OFFICIALS TO HEAR PERSPECTIVES
FROM US AGENCIES IN ITALY THAT CAN SHAPE DECISIONS MADE IN
GERMANY. SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF DOING BUSINESS ARE
SIMILAR IN ITALY AND IN GERMANY, AND SHARING INFORMATION AND
APPROACHES IS BENEFICIAL. IN BOTH COUNTRIES, SOME ISSUES
REQUIRE A FEDERAL RESPONSE AND OTHERS ARE MORE CONSTRUCTIVELY
HANDLED AT A LOCAL LEVEL. THE ITALIAN MILITARY OFTEN FACES
THE SAME POLITICAL LIMITATIONS AS THE US MILITARY. WE NEED
TO KEEP THIS IN MIND, AND MAKE SURE OUR REQUESTS TO THE GOI
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 04122 01 OF 05 221722Z
ARE REASONABLE, BALANCED AND EQUITABLE.
4. (U) ISSWOG ALSO IMPROVES COORDINATION BETWEEN US MILITARY
AND EMBASSY OFFICIALS TO GIVE A MORE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF
WHAT THE GOI IS DOING IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION ENDURING
FREEDOM (OEF) AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE WAR ON TERRORISM.
EUCOM CAN THEN PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO CENTCOM, WHICH CAN
PASS IT ON TO THE CONGRESS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO PUT A DOLLAR
VALUE ON ITALIAN SUPPORT, SUCH AS MOBILIZING THE GARIBALDI
AIRCRAFT CARRIER, FOREGONE RENT, AFNS FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS,
OR CARABINIERI SUPPORT. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACCURATELY
REFLECT THE WIDE RANGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ITALY IS AND HAS
BEEN PROVIDING TO THE USG.
BASING VISION UPDATE
--------------------
5. (SBU) THE JCS AND OSD ARE CONSOLIDATING ALL CINC BASING
STUDIES INTO ONE REPORT DUE DECEMBER 2002. THE JROC OVERSEAS
PRESENCE STUDY, DUE OCTOBER 2002, WILL GIVE AN IDEA OF WHAT
THE DECEMBER REPORT WILL LOOK LIKE AND POSSIBLE
EUCOM-SPECIFIC CHANGES. THE REPORTS ARE LIKELY TO EMPHASIZE
MORE JOINT BASING, AND TO RECOMMEND CONSOLIDATION OF
NONESSENTIAL INSTALLATIONS IN GERMANY WHERE POSSIBLE.
CENTRALIZING PEOPLE ONTO LARGER, CONSOLIDATED BASES WILL MAKE
IT MORE DIFFICULT TO BUILD RAPPORT AND POSITIVE CONNECTIONS
WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE US MILITARY WILL HAVE TO DO ANY
EVEN BETTER JOB OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH UNDER THESE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
6. (SBU) NO BASES IN ITALY ARE BEING TARGETED FOR REALIGNMENT
AT THIS TIME. THIS WILL BE REASSURING NEWS FOR THE GOI,
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 04122 01 OF 05 221722Z
WHICH HAS BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN THE US MILITARY,S
LONG-TERM PLANS FOR ITALY. IT MIGHT MAKE DOING BUSINESS
EASIER IF THE GOI KNEW THAT THE US IS MAKING LONG-TERM
INVESTMENTS IN BASE IMPROVEMENTS IN ITALY. FOR US MILITARY
PLANNING PURPOSES, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE PERIODIC
REPORTS BY EACH SERVICE THAT DETAIL EXPECTED FUTURE LAND
ACQUISITION NEEDS. AT AN APPROPRIATE POINT, THAT INFORMATION
SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE GOI.
7. (U) CAMP DARBY IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF AN EXISTING JOINT BASE
(AF, ARMY), WITH AVIANO, VICENZA AND DARBY FUNCTIONING AS A
JOINT OPERATION. REPAIRS AT CAMP DARBY WILL LIKELY NEED TO
BE FUNDED BY THE USG BECAUSE NATO FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
EUCOM IS WAITING FOR USAFE AND USAEUR SUGGESTIONS ON HOW BEST
TO USE THE FACILITY, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO THE THEATRE AT
LARGE. USAEUR HAS THE LEAD ON COMPILING A REPORT BY THE END
OF MAY 2002 ON WHERE THE SERVICES PREFER TO HAVE
PRE-POSITIONED STOCKS LOCATED. THE DCM NOTED THAT, IF THE
MILITARY DECIDES TO CLOSE DARBY, IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO BE
CLEAR ABOUT WHY BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE A STRONG RESPONSE FROM
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ5555
PAGE 01 ROME 04122 02 OF 05 221723Z
ACTION PM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DOTE-00 EB-00 EUR-00
FAAE-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 L-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 PMB-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /004W
------------------DCBE3A 221723Z /38
R 221711Z AUG 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5540
INFO SECDEF WASHDC
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
NAS SIGONELLA IT
HQ MARFOREUR BOEBLINGEN GE
HQ EUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3-CI/ECJ23-H//
COMSIXTHFLT
COMFAIRMED NAPLES IT
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK
CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
CDR USASETAF VICENZA IT
CDR USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
16AF AVIANO AB IT
31FW AVIANO AB IT
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 004122
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR, IT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 04122 02 OF 05 221723Z
SUBJECT: ITALY STATIONING AND SOVEREIGNTY WORKING GROUP
MEETING MINUTES
THE GOI.
8. (U) LA MADDALENA HAS SERVED AS AN IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE
SITE FOR THE EUROPEAN THEATRE FOR 28 YEARS. THE NAVY HAS
DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO USE THE FACILITY FOR THE LONG-TERM,
BUT WANTS TO CONSOLIDATE OPERATIONS ONTO ONE PROPERTY INSTEAD
OF THE CURRENT 33 FACILITIES ON 17 SITES ON THREE ISLANDS.
THE CINC HAS SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO THE IDGS AND IS AWAITING
A RESPONSE.
9. (U) THE DCM ENCOURAGED PRODUCING A UNIFIED BASING STRATEGY
AMONG US MILITARY SERVICES WITHIN ITALY TO ENSURE THAT WHAT
WE DO AT ONE FACILITY DOESN,T INADVERTENTLY DISADVANTAGE
ANOTHER. HE SUGGESTED THIS TOPIC BE UPDATED AT THE NEXT
ISSWOG MEETING.
JMC REPORT AND INPUT
--------------------
10. (U) JMC ORGANIZATION. FOLLOWING TWO USEFUL MEETINGS WITH
ITALIAN COUNTERPARTS, THE JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION (JMC) IS
WORKING EFFECTIVELY AND BEGINNING TO PRODUCE RESULTS. LOCAL
JMCS ARE BEING ORGANIZED TO ADDRESS LOCAL AND SHORT-TERM
ISSUES, INCLUDING THOSE INVOLVING CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES.
BROADER ISSUES THAT ARISE WILL BE REFERRED TO THE FULL JMC,
WHICH CAN THEN PASS LONG-TERM, STRATEGIC BILATERAL ISSUES TO
THE ISSWOG FOR CONSIDERATION AS NECESSARY. THE JMC IS A
MIL-MIL FORUM; THE ISSWOG WILL HANDLE THE POL-MIL ISSUES THAT
ARISE. PARTICIPANTS NOTED THAT, WHEN USG PLANS AND PROPOSALS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 04122 02 OF 05 221723Z
ARE FIRST DISCUSSED AT THE JMC (AFTER BEING VETTED BY US
COMPONENTS), THEY TEND TO BE BETTER RECEIVED BY ITALIAN
COUNTERPARTS BECAUSE THEY ARE APT TO BE SEEN AS A JOINT
DECISION TO PROCEED. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE JMC HAS THE
AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION AND DECISIONS ON THOSE ISSUES WITHIN
ITS PURVIEW.
11. (U) TECHNICAL ARRANGEMENTS (TAS): GENERAL PETROSKY
CONFIRMED THAT HE HAS AUTHORIZED THE JMC CHAIRMAN TO SIGN THE
TAS ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN COORDINATED WITH ALL SERVICES AND
LEGAL ADVISORS. THE ITALIAN JMC CO-CHAIR ALREADY HAS THIS
AUTHORITY.
12. (SBU) SIGONELLA TA: ODC REPORTED THAT THE SIGONELLA TA IS
ABOUT 85% COMPLETE. BOTH ITALY AND THE US WANT THE SIG TA
SIGNED; GEN. COCCOZZA, THE ITALIAN CO-CHAIR OF THE JMC, MADE
IT CLEAR AT THE JMC MEETING THAT THE GOI DOES NOT WANT TO
RENEGOTIATE EXISTING AGREEMENTS. DISCUSSIONS ARE MOVING
FORWARD, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON RECONCILING THE US NEED FOR
FLEXIBILITY (AS PROVIDED UNDER THE SHELL AGREEMENT) AND THE
ITALIAN PREFERENCE FOR ELIMINATING AMBIGUITIES WHERE
POSSIBLE. PARTICIPANTS AGREED THAT OPENING BROAD
RENEGOTIATIONS WOULD LIKELY JEOPARDIZE ADVANTAGES THAT EXIST
UNDER THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENT. THE MORE SPECIFIC THE SHELL
AGREEMENT AND ANNEXES BECOME, THE LESS FLEXIBLE AND USEFUL
THEY ARE IN RESPONDING TO NEW SITUATIONS AND NEEDS. IN
ADDITION, DESPITE A MORE PRO-AMERICAN SLANT, PRIME MINISTER
BERLUSCONI HAS BEEN LESS HELPFUL AND MORE CAUTIOUS ON ISSUES
WITH DOMESTIC IMPACT, SUCH AS US MILITARY PRESENCE IN ITALY.
HE MAY NOT BE IN A POSITION TO SUPPORT SOME USG REQUESTS.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 04122 02 OF 05 221723Z
13. (U) RESIDUAL VALUE: THE ITALIANS MAINTAIN THAT THE GOI
HAS NOT OFFICIALLY ACCEPTED RETURNED INFRASTRUCTURE UNTIL THE
VALUE HAS BEEN DETERMINED, IN PART DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT
INHERITING REPAIR/MAINTENANCE COSTS AND COSTS OF SECURING THE
PROPERTY. THEY WOULD LIKE TO NEGOTIATE SOME CHANGES IN ANNEX
B TO THE SHELL AGREEMENT TO CLARIFY THE PROCESS. US SENDING
STATE REPRESENTATIVES POINTED OUT THAT, WHILE THE JMC CAN
INTERPRET ANNEX B, IT DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE AUTHORITY TO
NEGOTIATE CHANGES. TO DO SO WOULD REQUIRE REVISED CIRCULAR
175 NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY. MILITARY LAWYERS ARE REVIEWING
THE SCOPE OF EXISTING CIRCULAR 175 AUTHORITY, WHICH WILL BE
USEFUL IN DEVELOPING PROCEDURES TO INTERPRET THE ANNEXES AND
SHELL AGREEMENT.
14. (U) JMC CHAIR: THE JMC RECOMMENDS THAT ADMIRAL MIKE
HOLMES SUCCEED GENERAL WAGNER AS THE US JMC CHAIR. THE AIR
FORCE CONCURS. THE NEXT JMC MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR
SEPTEMBER AT SIGONELLA. AN UPDATE ON JMC ACTIVITIES WILL BE
PROVIDED AT THE NEXT ISSWOG MEETING.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ5558
PAGE 01 ROME 04122 03 OF 05 221723Z
ACTION PM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DOTE-00 EB-00 EUR-00
FAAE-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 L-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 PMB-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /004W
------------------DCBE44 221723Z /38
R 221711Z AUG 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5541
INFO SECDEF WASHDC
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
NAS SIGONELLA IT
HQ MARFOREUR BOEBLINGEN GE
HQ EUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3-CI/ECJ23-H//
COMSIXTHFLT
COMFAIRMED NAPLES IT
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK
CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
CDR USASETAF VICENZA IT
CDR USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
16AF AVIANO AB IT
31FW AVIANO AB IT
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 004122
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR, IT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 04122 03 OF 05 221723Z
SUBJECT: ITALY STATIONING AND SOVEREIGNTY WORKING GROUP
MEETING MINUTES
FORCE PROTECTION
----------------
15. (U) THE FORCE PROTECTION WORKING GROUP MET IN AUGUST
2001, BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACKS, TO EXAMINE US FORCE
PROTECTION NEEDS IN ITALY. ADM. HOLMES REPORTED THAT THE US
NAVY HAS SIGNED A FP MOU WITH SPAIN TO FORMALIZE EXISTING FP
MEASURES. A SIMILAR MOU WITH ITALY HAS BEEN FORWARDED IN
DRAFT TO CINCUSNAVEUR FOR VETTING (BY END OF MAY). ONCE
OTHER SERVICES IN ITALY HAVE REVIEWED THE MOU, IT WILL GO TO
THE EMBASSY FOR REVIEW AND THEN TO THE JMC AND ISSWOG.
16. (U) WHILE THE SPANISH MOU COVERS US SHIPS AT MILITARY
FACILITIES AND NOT AT COMMERCIAL PORTS, WHICH CONSTITUTES THE
MAJORITY IN ITALY, THE SPANISH TEMPLATE IS A USEFUL STARTING
POINT. KEEPING THE FLEXIBILITY THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS IS
CRUCIAL; AN MOU THAT CREATES A NATIONAL POLICY THAT REDUCES
FLEXIBILITY TO RESPOND TO EACH FACILITY,S PARTICULAR NEEDS
WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. THE FPWG CAN REVIEW THE DRAFT MOU
AT ITS NEXT MEETING AND EVALUATE WHETHER A SERVICE BY SERVICE
MOU WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.
17. (U) PARTICIPANTS AGREED THAT THE GOI IS FULFILLING ITS FP
RESPONSIBILITIES AND MEETING USG FP REQUIREMENTS. THE
ITALIANS TAKE IT SO SERIOUSLY THAT IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO
TEST THE SYSTEM; SOMEONE IS LIKELY TO BE FIRED IF A WEAKNESS
IS DISCOVERED DURING A TEST.
18. (U) COVER LICENSE PLATE INITIATIVE. SENDING STATE HAS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 04122 03 OF 05 221723Z
WORKED WITH MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND MINISTRY OF
TRANSPORTATION CONTACTS TO AMEND ITALIAN LAW TO ALLOCATE 5000
LICENSE PLATES TO THE US MILITARY TO MANAGE AND DISTRIBUTE
APPROPRIATELY. AS OF MAY 3, THE BILL CONTAINING THE
AMENDMENT HAD BEEN APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND
IS WITH THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. ONCE THE BILL HAS BEEN
PASSED, SENDING STATE WILL WORK WITH THE GOI ON IMPLEMENTING
REGULATIONS.
19. (U) ACTION ON FORCE PROTECTION TOPIC FOR THE NEXT ISSWOG
MEETING:
-- THE FORCE PROTECTION WORKING GROUP WILL MEET AND REVIEW
THE DRAFT FP MOU PREPARED BY USN TO EVALUATE WHETHER A
SERVICE BY SERVICE MOU WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO ONE
COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT. UPDATE AT NEXT ISSWOG.
-- SENDING STATE WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK PROGRESS OF
LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT AND WILL WORK ON IMPLEMENTING
REGULATIONS. UPDATE AT NEXT ISSWOG.
AFNS
----
20. (SBU) ISSWOG PARTICIPANTS COMMENDED THE JMC FOR MAKING
GREAT PROGRESS ON RESOLVING THE DISPUTE WITH ITALY OVER
FREQUENCY ALLOCATION AND BROADCAST OF AFNS; FURTHER PROOF
THAT THE JMC IS A USEFUL BODY FOR RESOLVING ISSUES. GENERAL
COCOZZA HAS NOT YET RESPONDED TO GENERAL WAGNER,S LETTER
REQUESTING A TWO YEAR EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT FREQUENCY
ALLOCATION. THIS IS LIKELY TO BE THE LAST TIME THE IDGS WILL
LOAN THE FREQUENCY BECAUSE THE GOI NEEDS TO PROVIDE
FREQUENCIES TO ITALIAN FIRE, POLICE, ETC. IF NO RESPONSE IS
RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER, ODC AND POL-MIL WILL APPROACH THEIR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 04122 03 OF 05 221723Z
CONTACTS.
21. (SBU) GENERAL RALSTON REQUESTED THAT OSD DEVELOP A
LONG-TERM SOLUTION, SUCH AS PURCHASING SATELLITES FOR
PERSONNEL. OSD IS CONSIDERING THIS, ALONG WITH A FUNDING
REQUEST FOR $35 MILLION FOR EUROPE. DOD LAWYERS AND THE
COMPTROLLER ARE CONCERNED ABOUT USING ONM MONEY FOR WHAT IS,
ESSENTIALLY, A PERSONAL PURCHASE. J6 AND AFNS, DIRECTOR ARE
MEETING WITH THE LAWYERS AND COMPTROLLER. FUNDING FOR
SATELLITE PURCHASES WILL BE A TOUGH SELL IN WASHINGTON.
EUCOM AGREED TO TALK WITH EUCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS
REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THEIR STRATEGY FOR SUPPORTING THIS
REQUEST: FORCE PROTECTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE ARE TWO
IMPORTANT ARGUMENTS UNDERLYING THE REQUEST FOR FUNDING.
ULTIMATELY, IF AFNS IS NOT ABLE TO REACH SERVICE PERSONNEL,
AFNS, REASON FOR BEING MAY BE QUESTIONED MORE FUNDAMENTALLY.
22. (U) ALSO NO RESPONSE FROM THE GOI TO THE USG REQUEST
PRESENTED IN AUGUST 2001 FOR A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT (AFNS
TECHNICAL ANNEX) THAT WOULD COVER ALL FACILITIES AND ALL 37
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ5560
PAGE 01 ROME 04122 04 OF 05 221724Z
ACTION PM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DOTE-00 EB-00 EUR-00
FAAE-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 L-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 PMB-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /004W
------------------DCBE50 221724Z /38
R 221711Z AUG 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5542
INFO SECDEF WASHDC
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
NAS SIGONELLA IT
HQ MARFOREUR BOEBLINGEN GE
HQ EUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3-CI/ECJ23-H//
COMSIXTHFLT
COMFAIRMED NAPLES IT
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK
CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
CDR USASETAF VICENZA IT
CDR USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
16AF AVIANO AB IT
31FW AVIANO AB IT
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 004122
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR, IT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 04122 04 OF 05 221724Z
SUBJECT: ITALY STATIONING AND SOVEREIGNTY WORKING GROUP
MEETING MINUTES
ANTENNAE. THIS WOULD IMPROVE ON THE 1982 AGREEMENT THAT
GRANTS AFNS THE RIGHT TO BROADCAST ON AN &AS AVAILABLE8
BASIS BUT DOESN,T ASSIGN FREQUENCIES. AMBASSADOR SEMBLER
DISCUSSED THE ISSUE DURING A RECENT LUNCH WITH MINISTER OF
COMMUNICATIONS GASPARRI.
23. (U) AS FOR THE TWO TRANSMITTERS IN THE NAPLES AREA THAT
THE GOI SHUT DOWN LAST YEAR, THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED TO
CONDUCT JOINT TESTING AT THE SITE TO DETERMINE IF AFNS IS/WAS
EXCEEDING EMISSION LIMITS. IF NEEDED, SENDING STATE AND
POL-MIL WILL WORK THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS TO RESOLVE THE
DISPUTE.
24. (U) ACTION ON AFNS ISSUES FOR NEXT ISSWOG.
-- ODC/POL-MIL WILL TRACK IDGS RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR TWO
YEAR EXTENSION OF FREQUENCY ALLOCATION, AND WILL APPROACH
CONTACTS IF NO ACTION BY SEPTEMBER. UPDATE AT NEXT ISSWOG.
-- EUCOM WILL TRACK ISSUE OF USG FUNDING TO PURCHASE
SATELLITE UNITS FOR PERSONNEL OR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS.
UPDATE AT NEXT ISSWOG.
-- SENDING STATE/EMBASSY WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A
COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT. UPDATE AT NEXT ISSWOG.
-- SENDING STATE/EMBASSY WILL MONITOR PROGRESS ON THE
DISPUTE REGARDING BROADCASTS IN THE NAPLES AREA. UPDATE AT
NEXT ISSWOG.
MILNOISE STUDY UPDATE
---------------------
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 04122 04 OF 05 221724Z
25. (U) AFTER 4 YEARS OF DELAY, MILNOISE TESTING AT AVIANO IS
MOVING FORWARD. METHODOLOGIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO ENSURE
THAT TESTS CONDUCTED WILL BE VALID ACCORDING TO STANDARDIZED
PROTOCOLS. A CONCERNED LOCAL GROUP HAD FORCED PROGRESS ON 25
PROJECTS AT AVIANO WORTH $41.6 MILLION TO HALT UNTIL THEY
RECEIVED INFORMATION REGARDING THE IMPACT OF MILNOISE ON
PROPERTY VALUES AND A DEFINITE DATE FOR THE START OF THE
AVIANO MILNOISE STUDY. A VOTE IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 8 TO GET
THE PROJECTS BACK ON TRACK. MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN
MID-JUNE TO FORMALIZE THE PROTOCOLS, WITH THE NOISE STUDY
SCHEDULED TO BE CONDUCTED IN JULY. ESTABLISHING HOW THE
STUDY RESULTS WILL BE USED AND BY WHOM WILL BE IMPORTANT. AT
THIS TIME, EUCOM HAS NOT REPORTED TO OSD THAT ANY MILITARY
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ITALY ARE IN JEOPARDY. IF THE MAY 8
VOTE DOES NOT FREE THE AVIANO PROJECTS, EUCOM NEEDS TO KNOW
IMMEDIATELY.
26. (U) ACTION FOR NEXT ISSWOG. USAFE WILL NOTIFY EUCOM IF
AVIANO MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE IN JEOPARDY, AND
WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON STUDY RESULTS AT NEXT ISSWOG.
TRAINING AREAS
--------------
27. (U) ENTS ON SOME TRAINING AREAS IN ITALY AND ELSEWHERE,
INCLUDING TRAINING IN ITALIAN AIRSPACE, ARE IMPACTING THE US
MILITARY,S ABILITY TO OPERATE. USG IS WORKING WITH THE IDGS
TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ONE WAY IS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN
TECHNICAL ARRANGEMENTS AS THEY ARE NEGOTIATED. ANOTHER IS TO
ASSIST THE MOD WITH ITALIAN TRAINING NEEDS OUTSIDE OF ITALY.
GEN. WAGNER REPORTED THAT SETAF HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THIS; IN
FACT, ADDITIONAL RANGES HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR SETAF USE.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 04122 04 OF 05 221724Z
EMBASSY ASSISTANCE MAY BE NEEDED IN THE FUTURE BUT NOT AT
THIS POINT.
THIS ISSUE WILL BE UPDATED AT THE NEXT ISSWOG.
TRUCK TRAFFIC ROAD RESTRICTIONS
-------------------------------
28. (U) USAFE WOULD LIKE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH ITALY TO
MOVE MILITARY GOODS BY ROAD ON THOSE DAYS THAT TRUCK TRAFFIC
IS PROHIBITED. SUCH AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED WITH
GERMANY. ODC SUGGESTED USAFE SEND A LETTER WITH THE REQUEST
TO ODC FOR FORWARDING TO THE IDGS AS THE BEST WAY TO BEGIN
THE PROCESS. A SIMILAR LETTER COULD BE SENT TO THE IDGS
REGARDING CARABINIERI ESCORTS WHEN MOVING HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS. IT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR THE ARMY TO REVIEW THE
ISSUE WITH USAFE TO SEE WHETHER PROCEDURES THE ARMY CURRENTLY
HAS IN PLACE CAN BE OF HELP. GENERAL PETROSKY SUGGESTED
USAFE WORK THROUGH EUCOM J4 BEFORE APPROACHING THE MOD.
29. (U) ACTION FOR NEXT ISSWOG. USAFE WILL WORK WITH EUCOM J4
AND USAREUR TO SEE WHETHER EXISTING PROCEDURES ADEQUATELY
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ5561
PAGE 01 ROME 04122 05 OF 05 221724Z
ACTION PM-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 DOTE-00 EB-00 EUR-00
FAAE-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 LAB-01 L-00 DCP-01
NSAE-00 IRM-00 TEST-00 PMB-00 DRL-02 SAS-00 /004W
------------------DCBE59 221724Z /38
R 221711Z AUG 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5543
INFO SECDEF WASHDC
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
NAS SIGONELLA IT
HQ MARFOREUR BOEBLINGEN GE
HQ EUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ3-CI/ECJ23-H//
COMSIXTHFLT
COMFAIRMED NAPLES IT
CINCUSNAVEUR LONDON UK
CDRUSAREUR HEIDELBERG GE
CDR USASETAF VICENZA IT
CDR USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
16AF AVIANO AB IT
31FW AVIANO AB IT
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 004122
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR, IT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 04122 05 OF 05 221724Z
SUBJECT: ITALY STATIONING AND SOVEREIGNTY WORKING GROUP
MEETING MINUTES
ADDRESS PROBLEM.
NEXT ISSWOG MEETING
-------------------
30. (U) THE NEXT ISSWOG WILL BE HOSTED BY SETAF AT VICENZA ON
DECEMBER 16-17, 2002.
CLOSING REMARKS
---------------
31. (U) GENERAL PETROSKY EXPRESSED HIS SINCERE THANKS TO DCM
BILL POPE FOR REVIVING THE ISSWOG. IT HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY
PRODUCTIVE AND A VALUABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION. THE DCM,
WHO RETURNED TO WASHINGTON IN JUNE, STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE
OF HAVING BASE COMMANDERS ATTEND THE ISSWOG, EVEN AS THE JMC
CHANGES THE DYNAMICS OF THE GROUP. HIS FAREWELL REMARKS WERE
INTERRUPTED BY A CALL FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
PARTICIPANTS AND AGENDA
-----------------------
32.(U) PRIMARY PARTICIPANTS:
LTG DANIEL PETROSKY CHIEF OF STAFF, EUCOM
WILLIAM POPE DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION, EMB.
ROME
LTG MICHAEL DODSON DEPUTY COMMANDING GENERAL,
USAREUR
RADM MICHAEL HOLMES COMFAIRMED
BRIGGEN. DONALD HOFFMAN USAFE/CV 31 FW/CC
GARY ROBBINS POLITICAL-MILITARY COUNSELOR
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 04122 05 OF 05 221724Z
COL. MARK DEVLIN CHIEF ODC, ROME
CAPT. JOHN OLIVER OIC OF U.S. SENDING STATE OFFICE
COL. J.P. MANLEY DEFENSE ATTACHE OFFICE
TOPIC PAPERS AND LEAD AGENCY:
-- BASING VISION UPDATE EUCOM/USAREUR, NAVEUR, USAFE
-- JMC REPORT JMC CHAIRMAN
-- JMC INPUT USAREUR
-- FORCE PROTECTION COMFAIRMED/EMBASSY
-- AFNS STATUS UPDATE USSSO
-- MILNOISE STUDY UPDATE USAFE
-- TRAINING AREAS USAFE
-- TRUCK ROAD RESTRICTIONS USAFE
SKODON
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME04122 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
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