US embassy cable - 05ROME2372

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 002372 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2015 
TAGS: EAID, IR, LE, PREL, SY, TU, UZ, IT, UN 
SUBJECT: ITALIAN PREVIEW OF THE JULY 18-19 GAERIC 
 
REF: STATE 124856 
 
Classified By: Labor Counselor Putnam, for reasons 1.4 (B)(D). 
 
1.  (C)  Italian MFA EU Office Director Luigi Mattiolo 
provided Laborcouns July 14 with a review of the EU Political 
Directors meeting in Bath, England regarding the July 18-19 
GAERIC and responded to reftel points.  Mattiolo said the 
Bath meeting was held in the shadow of the London bombings 
with a renewed awareness of European vulnerabilities to 
terrorist attack. 
 
2.  (C)  Turkey:  Although Turkey is on the agenda, Mattiolo 
did not expect any significant discussion beyond a review by 
the UK Presidency of its intention to continue with plans to 
begin accession talks on October 3.  The real discussions of 
how to handle Turkey in the wake of the French/Dutch "no" 
votes on the EU Constitution would likely take place in the 
September Gymnich or in an "extraordinary" European Council 
meeting, perhaps in November (after German elections). 
Mattiolo said that Italy remains committed to supporting 
Turkey's candidacy and noted FM Fini's successful trip to 
Ankara this week. 
 
2.  (C)  UN/HLE:  Italy supports U.S. development goals for 
the Millennium Review and agrees that a "quck-fix" will not 
provide required solutions.  On UN reform, Mattiolo 
reiterated Italy's delight in the U.S. position on the G-4 
Security Council proposal and broad support for other reform 
goals.  However, Mattiolo noted that all of the reform plans 
represented "a lot of meat on the barbecue" and wondered if 
there was a sufficient dynamic at the UN to sustain the 
enthusiasm needed to approve and implement these plans. 
 
3.  (C)  Syria/Lebanon:  The draft GAERIC statement, Mattiolo 
said, was a work in progress but he expected it would welcome 
the new government in Lebanon, urge continued reforms and 
press for full implementation of UNSCR 1559 (including 
disarmament of all militias).  It would also condemn the 
recent Hizballah attacks on Israel.  Ministers would look 
forward to Larson's briefing on Syria, would strongly urge 
the SARG to stop the flow of foreign fighters through Syria 
to Iraq and close Palestinian rejectionist group offices in 
Damascus.  On the Syrian Association Agreement, Mattiolo 
expected the EU to say that only positive Syrian actions 
could allow the EU to deepen relations with Syria. 
 
4.  (C)  Iran:  Mattiolo said there would be no written 
conclusions on Iran.  There was extensive discussion in Bath, 
however, about the recent election and a recognition that the 
new Iranian government was particularly fragile at this time. 
 Opinions were divided but the optimists hoped that a 
conservative government with a strong mandate could make 
difficult foreign policy decisions to cooperate.  Overall, 
there was disappointment with the election results and 
agreement to judge Iran its actions.  Mattiolo said that 
Italy remained more skeptical than some members on prospects 
for success.  On the nuclear issue, there was also agreement 
that Iranian resumption of uranium conversion work would stop 
the EU reconciliation process.  The EU package included three 
aspects:  nuclear (with more sticks than carrots); political 
(with a focus on human rights and anti-terrorism dialogue) 
and economic (which would be carried out by both the EC and 
UK/Germany/France).  Mattiolo noted that the Russians had 
made a positive contribution by linking their suspension of 
fuel supplies to renewed negotiations.  He also commented 
that the French believe this EU model of outreach toward Iran 
could provide a positive precedent for dealing with other 
states on counter-proliferation initiatives. 
 
5.  (C)  Uzbekistan:  Mattiolo predicted the GAERIC statement 
would: condemn Uzbekistan's continuing refusal to cooperate 
on an international investigation of events at Andijon; 
continue suspension of the Partnership Agreement; and urge 
that all EU members in discussions with the Uzbek government 
raise ongoing human rights/refugee concerns.  There would be 
no mention of an arms embargo because of the concern of the 
impact of an embargo on how "some states" operate military 
bases in Uzbekistan to support operations in Afghanistan.  At 
the same time, Mattiolo expected the possibility of an 
embargo would deter EU states from selling arms and this may 
force the Uzbeks to agree to an international investigation. 
Italy urged EU funding for programs targeting civil society 
to increase support for development and democracy. 
 
6. (C) Zimbabwe:  The GAERIC statement will support a UK 
draft condemning continued population displacement and 
housing demolitions and questioning the government's pledge 
to protect civilian populations. 
 
 
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	2005ROME02372 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL